Those of you disappointed that the iPad didn’t feature any camera other than your own will have reason to be of good cheer directly, and plenty of others besides.  Strap in, folks, here’s the rundown.

1. The iPad’s next version will have a camera on board.

2. So will the iPod Touch

3. The iPhone will offer video chat in its next version.

That is, of course, a LOT of Apple-related camera news, but what is the REAL deal here?

Why would Apple have deliberately released their much-ballyhooed iPad early, without a camera, if they were looking to turn around and offer a new version in Fall but with a camera?  Moreover, the new version will likely feature nothing BUT a camera.  Were they forced to release substandard product to try and get an advance jump on market share?

No one really knows, but speculation is running rampant, especially right here.  What was Apple’s master plan in all this?  Did they want to get double cash out of a whole slew of early adopters?  I can’t begin to guess.

But you can–that’s why we’ve got a comments section, folks.  So fill us in: what’s Apple’s big idea?