The Apple Tablet debate, will it have a camera or not?

The debate on whether the non existent Apple tablet would have a camera or not is heating up. While the whole iSlate / Tablet thingee itself is a big rumour till now, a funny and weird debate is on discussing if the upcoming Apple tablet would have a camera or not. While John Gruber of Daring Fireball come out in response to the Orange CEO confirming the Apple tablet with camera news, saying that as per his sources the iSlate wouldn’t feature any camera; others are in doubt. (Note: Orange later denied confirming the Apple iSlate)

Given the track record of Daring Fireballs predictions about Apple releases its hard for anyone to dispute his words. In his post, Devin Coldewey of Crunchgear argues that a device expected to cost $600+ wouldn’t exclude something as basic as a camera. A camera wouldn’t cost more than a few bucks according to him. Personally I feel that many predicted a camera in the iPod touch aswell, but all we are seeing is just rumors of a iPod touch 4G with camera.  I feel Steve Jobs might well exclude a camera in the tablet and not target video conferencing from that device (also given the latest rumor that iPhone 4G would bring video calling).

While none of us is sure as to what exactly is the need that the Apple tablet would satisfy, it is sure to be a game changer. With a camera or without, I am sure there would be a good thought behind the same.