The grapevine is abuzz with reports that Apple is working on the second-generation iPad, the iPad 2, expected to hit the stands as early as the end of this year. If that’s true, then Apple will be breaking away from its usual 1-year refresh cycle. It started shipping last April, generating an overwhelming response. As a device, it had its downsides – the lack of a webcam, being one.

Taking the cue, Samsung went ahead and unveiled its Galaxy Tab, also to be available during the holidays, with front-facing and back cameras for video calls and picture taking. Close on the heels of Samsung’s Galaxy Tab launch, there was news of yet another tablet, 2goPad SL10, seeking to compete with the Apple iPad. This time it was from the Chinese manufacturer CTL and this model too sported a webcam and flaunted graphics and Flash video support. Earlier, Dell popped eyeballs when it showed off its own Atom-powered Inspiron Duo with an unusual swivel mechanism. If we may recall the company had also taken a swipe at Apple’s iPad when showcasing the device saying, “tablets are great for entertainment, but they aren’t exactly conducive to productivity”.

Competition in the tablet market is, therefore, really heating up. At such a juncture, it does not seem unusual for Apple to want to spruce up the device on its productivity elements. If latest rumors are anything to go by, Apple is testing the latest iPad with FaceTime support. It will also be interesting to watch how this second-generation iPad is received in a market that it expected to be flooded with first-generation tablets soon. Being in the market for longer is one huge advantage the iPad has. Any new generation of the device can only be expected to be better than the original. iPad competitors, watch out.