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I believe the camera version of the iPad is coming
- Thread starter agkm800
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I would be willing to bet that the original concept of the iPad and early prototypes had a front facing camera. Then Apple did usability testing and found issues with maintaining a usable video chat experience and so removed it.
As Apple has demonstrated time and time again they don't implement things unless they can be sure they will operate as the end-user will expect them too.
If you want features to be implemented in products "just because you say you want it" then switch over to PC/MS land. That's their MO; listen to users, give users what they want, make lots of sales based on "features" users wanted, note that users decided that they didn't really want what they thought they wanted because it actually sucked hard, laugh while counting money piles, rinse, repeat.
As Apple has demonstrated time and time again they don't implement things unless they can be sure they will operate as the end-user will expect them too.
If you want features to be implemented in products "just because you say you want it" then switch over to PC/MS land. That's their MO; listen to users, give users what they want, make lots of sales based on "features" users wanted, note that users decided that they didn't really want what they thought they wanted because it actually sucked hard, laugh while counting money piles, rinse, repeat.
The question is not if but how - imagine there is a camera, how would you hold the device to make sure it captures your face? You'd have to hold it in a certain position so it becomes very uncomfortable to use. I don't think tablets are meant to be used for video-chatting.
Yup! I don't know of any single slate tablet pc with a camera on it, so I don't understand why people bash specifically the iPad (well, other than it being Apple).
Applies to the iPhone as well...pretty much no US phone has a front facing camera on purpose (HTC Touch Pro has one for international version, but US version does not).
I'd be willing to bet that they had to scrap the camera because their supplier couldn't meet the worldwide production criteria, given the needs of laptops, netbooks, cellphones, Apple's plans for the iPod Touch.
I agree that they may also want to take some time to work on the functionality, but this isn't network news-quality imaging we want to do here - we're talking very basic video conferencing. I don't see the alignment/jiggling issue that so many are obsessing about.
While there may (or may not) be a front camera in the iPad's future there should be NO doubt that a rear camera won't happen and would be ludicrous. Just imagine holding this monster device with both hands up in front of your face to take a picture.
Also if it does happen it would be at least one year. Apple doesn't redesign and replace hardware with a new generation in less than 1 year cycles.
Also if it does happen it would be at least one year. Apple doesn't redesign and replace hardware with a new generation in less than 1 year cycles.
I don't understand why, nor the need, why everyone seems to think that every portable device these days needs to have a camera in it. If you want to take pictures buy something called a camera. It's a device that is made for the sole purpose of taking pictures. Cell phones, whether it be the iPhone, a Blackberry, Palm, Nokia, Samsung or whatever all have caneras in them thse days and the picture quality is, in my opinion horrible at best. Nikon, Canon, Sony, Olympus, Pentax, Fuji, and Kodak all make remarkable devices along many price points that do a job a thousand times better on the lower end and a million times better on the higher end.
I have to laugh because I work in one of the nations top vacation destinations, and I see people recording their vacations with the cameras on their cell phones. It's ridiculous. They spent thousands of dollars to come here, yet hey are relying on their cell phones to capture the memories. The cardboard throwaway Kodak single use cameras do a better job taking pictures.
I have to laugh because I work in one of the nations top vacation destinations, and I see people recording their vacations with the cameras on their cell phones. It's ridiculous. They spent thousands of dollars to come here, yet hey are relying on their cell phones to capture the memories. The cardboard throwaway Kodak single use cameras do a better job taking pictures.
1) Camera is not just for snapping pics - there is this thing called video conferencing. Maybe they don't have it yet in your area though.
2) Not everyone keeps their camera with them 24/7 just in case a Kodak moment occurs.
3) People go on vacation to have fun. Ever think they purposely didn't bring a camera b/c they didn't want to keep up with it, or maybe they just forgot it? Or maybe they prefer to use their phone b/c they can instantly send the pic to friends/family/facebook/twitter?
4) Even the worst quality picture is better than no picture at all.
You've completely missed the point. The camera in question is front-facing and is for video conferencing, just like the iSight camera in your MacBook/Pro.
Personally, I would find it a useful thing to have, although it's lack is definitely not a deal breaker for me.
I believe there will be an ipad with a front facing camera. Eventually. Apple likes to one-up the world though, and something with a lens in a portable device like the iPad could be far more interesting with a little creative thought.
There are a few MP3 player out now with LED projectors in them. Also a few LED projectors that can play on-board movies. Someone (Nikon?) has a digital camera that uses the same lens to both capture movies/photos and project them.
So my question is: What other uses (for a lens) on an iPad might be more interesting than a front-facing camera?
The BEST use for a front facing camera might be to identify the thief who stole your iPad. JMHO
There are a few MP3 player out now with LED projectors in them. Also a few LED projectors that can play on-board movies. Someone (Nikon?) has a digital camera that uses the same lens to both capture movies/photos and project them.
So my question is: What other uses (for a lens) on an iPad might be more interesting than a front-facing camera?
The BEST use for a front facing camera might be to identify the thief who stole your iPad. JMHO
The 2nd generation iPad, I suspect. The one with the 128GB of memory and also a camera. I would like to wait for that model, but instead I'll most likely proceed the Apple-preferred upgrade route. I don't think I really want to wait another year.
I would like to wait for that model, but instead I'll most likely proceed the Apple-preferred upgrade route. I don't think I really want to wait another year.Another factor that may effect whether this feature is included is AT&T.
An iPad with a front facing camera for video conferencing could result in a number of expensive voice plan cancellations when people figure out they don't even need a phone to make video calls.
This may also have been a factor in the negotiations for the non-contract price plan between Apple and AT&T.
An iPad with a front facing camera for video conferencing could result in a number of expensive voice plan cancellations when people figure out they don't even need a phone to make video calls.
This may also have been a factor in the negotiations for the non-contract price plan between Apple and AT&T.
But then again, every single one of the Apple products you list in your signature has a specific, uniform approach to delivering the video functionality.
I personally find it very unlikely that Apple would come up with a new, mechanically more complex approach to deliver what they have successfully done before. Occam's razor is without doubt a key design criteria implemented by Apple for some time now.
But then again, every single one of the Apple products you list in your signature has a specific, uniform approach to delivering the video functionality.
I personally find it very unlikely that Apple would come up with a new, mechanically more complex approach to deliver what they have successfully done before. Occam's razor is without doubt a key design criteria implemented by Apple for some time now.
This is very true. However, the devices in my signature all have permanently upright and stationary surfaces to mount the camera on.
I've recently found that Skype is getting more and more use for video conferencing in the circles where I work (health care) so I have been taking my MBP places I normally wouldn't. I look forward to the even-greater portability of the iPad for that, as well as plugging it into projectors for PowerPoint.
Whateva, now days do you really need a crappy 2-3 mega pixel camera when you have so many other devices with cameras not including a CAMERA.?
At first i was like wtf Apple no camera on the iPad??!! Now i just feel stupid, i bet it would even be more expensive to add a camera, so the current iPad price points would have been higher.
At first i was like wtf Apple no camera on the iPad??!! Now i just feel stupid, i bet it would even be more expensive to add a camera, so the current iPad price points would have been higher.