iPad2 Rumor Roundup: Slimmer design and front-facing camera

2011 is definitely the year of the tablet but it would be wrong to talk about tablets and not talk about the iPad, the device which boosted the tablet market and got there ahead of the competition.  But the iPad is so 2010, so what does Steve Jobs have in mind for the next iteration of the popular device? Until Steve decides to tell all at his keynote, here are a few rumors to keep us occupied until then.

According to the rumors, camera on the iPad2 is now pretty much a given, thanks to the recently unearthed code by 9 to 5 mac and the camera icons found in the latest iPad SDK.  And if you have had a chance to get to CES this time, you might have found a certain Chinese hardware maker showing off a nonfunctioning dummy (video above) of the upcoming tablet and its front-facing camera, which should play cool with Apple’s FaceTime, although the credibility of the device actually being a replica of the upcoming Apple tablet is questionable.  Also noticeable was a slimmer Air-esque design and the lack of a USB port, which was touted to be one of the major upgrades that the iPad2 might be getting.

As for a release date, while rumors were pointing to a February 2011 unveiling some time back, the very reliable Kevin Rose, Digg’s founder, narrowed it down precisely to February 1st, adding in that the tablet will feature a Retina display and front/back cameras, further substantiating the camera rumors.

And that’s all the dirt we have on the device and until the official announcement is out, look to us to feed you more on the iPad2 and the rumors surrounding it!