A pair of analysts talking to members of Apple’s supply chain claim to have learned that the company’s second-generation tablet device will have a slimmer design, a camera, and a mini USB connection, rather than the proprietary 30-pin connector shared by most of Apple’s portables.

Citing supply chain checks, analysts for investment bank Goldman Sachs said Monday that they believed that Hon Hai will remain the sole manufacturer of the new iPad model which boasts the same 9.7-inch screen, according to a report by AppleInsider.

The analyst duo of Henry King and Kevin Lu added that Apple remains undecided on a second partner to help build its iPads.

They made a specific note regarding the size of the upcoming tablet’s screen, saying that their checks found that "the 7” iPad project has not yet been finalized" and therefore said its "unlikely to be launched ahead of the new 9.7” iPad," according to the same AppleInsider report.

In fact, the new 9.7-inch iPad "is targeted to be thinner and lighter, with an embedded camera and mini USB." It "could be launched in early" second quarter of 2011, the two analysts reportedly said.

Many other company watchers and members of the tech blogosphere share common ground with the two analysts in that these predictions are not at all new.

Apple is, indeed, widely expected to drop new, camera-equipped iPads in the coming months, in a move that would finalize the company’s presumed plans to enable support for FaceTime across its key iOS devices.

However, a mini USB connection is not at all likely with an upcoming Apple iPad. Leaving aside that it just makes sense for a device like the iPad, Apple is also known to collect a fair amount of cash from licensing fees and royalties for accessories that utilize its proprietary connection system.