iPad DOES NOT have a camera

> **Physical evidence pointing to a forward-facing iPad camera was found in the frame of replacement enclosures for the device.** > > Evidence for the possible existence of a forward-facing camera in the iPad was [uncovered](http://blog.missionrepair.com/2010/02/01/ipad-camera-rumor-becoming-a-reality-we-think-so/) by repair company [Mission Repair](http://www.missionrepair.com/) in a shipment of replacement iPad enclosures it acquired on Tuesday. > > A “spot” that closely resembles the holes present in the Unibody Macbook exists within the iPad frame. Mission Repair confirmed that the camera from the Macbook does fit into place on the frame, with the lens, LED, and ambient light sensor all lining up.

via [appleinsider.com](http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/10/02/01/ipad_photos_show_slot_for_forward_facing_video_camera.html)

You now have two pieces of conflicting information:

Hearsay from an unknown repair company that claims to have evidence that the iPad could have space for a front-facing camera.
Video of an event at which Steve Jobs and other execs at Apple showed off the iPad with no camera in it.

Common sense dictates that most people would take those bits of information and come to the conclusion that there’s no way that iPad will ship with a camera. But unfortunately, many Apple fans toss common sense to the side in favor of pipe dreams.

The result: Apple will be blamed for not including a feature they never promised in this device. Which is exactly what Apple-hating members of the press want to happen.

Apple’s worst enemy has always been, and will always be, its own fans.

Are we really forgetting that just a few months ago, Apple shipped an iPod Touch that has a space for a camera, but no camera? Clearly, Apple thought about putting a camera in there but chose not to. I wouldn’t be surprised if the iPad were in a similar situation. Prototypes probably had all sorts of features that were later removed in order to meet price goals, or because the software wasn’t ready to support it, etc.

I’m watching in dismay as many well-respected Apple supporters, even, are stirring up this whirlwind of anticipation that Apple will add “secret” features to the iPad at the last minute before shipping. The reason: glass screen and better battery life than anticipated on the iPhone weren’t announced until just before shipping. But better battery life and a glass screen are hardly equivalent to adding a camera. Remember, the iPhone was far from finished when Jobs showed it off that January. Members of the press were told not to touch the calendar app, because it was just a placeholder icon. Somewhere along the line, software optimizations probably led to slightly better battery life than they had anticipated. That didn’t cost Apple anything.

Believe me, if Apple had any intention of putting a camera in the first shipping version of iPad, Jobs would have demoed that functionality, rather than watch the iPad get bashed in the press for two months for not having it.

Hiding features in the most hotly anticipated product of the year is not good marketing.