iPad I never use camera from my iPad

[sjsharksfan12]

I don't use the Ipad Camera either. I would think maybe the reason it's there is to take pictures of things, put them in notes and then send them to people.

 

[Hadron]

The only problem I see with this is that that "slight" thickness would likely add more mass than you realize, especially if it's used to fit in an even larger battery, and some people already complain that the Pro Max is too heavy and tiring to hold. It's not just a matter of minimizing thickness, but also minimizing weight.

But the Mini doesn't have a mass problem, and could benefit most from extra battery.

It would of course make a significant difference to the mass of the iPad Pro! But the bump doesn't bother me there because once I put a case on the bump is gone, and it feels so vulnerable without a case that there's no question of that (the downside of Apple's thinness fetish).

 

[rui no onna]

But the Mini doesn't have a mass problem, and could benefit most from extra battery.

Personally, the reason I don't use my Mini much is because it's about 100g too heavy for holding single-handed for hours at a time (marathon reading sessions). My 150-200g Kindles and Kobos are much more comfortable in that regard.

 

[ApfelKuchen]

I had the first-generation iPad, which did not have a camera. That missing camera was was my only annoyance with the thing. I didn't need/want the camera often, but at those times that I did...

Why did Apple add cameras to subsequent models? I think it's because the camera is such an integral aspect of iPhone use (for the vast majority of users) that people expected the same from their "Whopping Big iPhone." If they are going to have the same apps on both iPhone and iPad, then the apps need to have full functionality on both devices.

However, until this year I rarely used the cameras on my iPad Pro first gen (which replaced that first-gen iPad). But now? It's the Age of COVID, and I care for an aged parent. That big display is really helpful for Dad's tele-medicine visits, FaceTime with family and other videoconferences - old eyes, big display. I've used both front and back cameras for that, depending on circumstances.

I've always found my iPhones to be more convenient for general photography, reproducing checks for bank deposits, etc., but there are those who like having that really big display when composing shots (not unlike using an 8 x 10 view camera except without the inverted image).

When it comes down to it, one could request a "budget," camera-free model of every tablet or laptop. Actually, if it has no cameras, it doesn't need microphones either, right? Oh, wait... I know of people who use the Voice Memos app but don't take photos...

There's also an "expectations" issue. For every person who consciously chooses the cheap model because it has no cameras (and mics), there would probably be 100 who buy the cheap model because it's the cheap model, and then find out later they were "cheated" because it lacked features they have every reason to expect should be present. Every iPhone and iPad (and laptop and all-in-one PC) has cameras and microphones, right?

 

[ericwn]

The only problem I see with this is that that "slight" thickness would likely add more mass than you realize, especially if it's used to fit in an even larger battery, and some people already complain that the Pro Max is too heavy and tiring to hold. It's not just a matter of minimizing thickness, but also minimizing weight.

True that. But when stainless steel is used we can’t really argue that weight was a priority consideration this time around.
Apple are master of omission- I just hope that is being applied with the bump one day.

 

[muzzy996]

I never have used the camera on the iPad’s I have owned. Are there others out there like me? Why does the iPad have a camera? Why wouldn’t Apple offer an iPad without a camera, one that would be less expensive?

As far as the thread goes TLDR, but one can probably ask questions along the same lines about many other products too. I will never need half the shortcut buttons on a microwave or window defrosters in a car (or heaters for that matter) yet those are included as standard and cost distributed to everyone for those who need such features. I see this as a means to reduce fragmentation of product lines which can increase cost of production and distribution. Apple surely knows by various metrics they have access to what percentage of their users utilize the cameras and have done the evaluation of whether or not to continue providing the camera in the iPad.

 

[RevTEG]

I never have used the camera on the iPad’s I have owned. Are there others out there like me? Why does the iPad have a camera? Why wouldn’t Apple offer an iPad without a camera, one that would be less expensive?

I use my iPad Pro camera at least five days a week to record or livestream all my courses. The camera is way better than my MacBook camera, works perfect with a tripod and looks great even with normal room to minimum additional lighting.

 

[Hadron]

Personally, the reason I don't use my Mini much is because it's about 100g too heavy for holding single-handed for hours at a time (marathon reading sessions). My 150-200g Kindles and Kobos are much more comfortable in that regard.

I meant the iPhone 12 Mini
(I think I was replying to a comment about the iPhone 12 Pro, unless I misread).

 

[dan.tebeau]

Use mine to scan docs into Files all the time.

 

[bniu]

iPad cameras are there as a convenience. Nice to have, but out of the way. If they weren’t there, you’d be cursing Apple for being so cheap for not including them for the few but very essential times you could’ve used them.

id prefer if the iPad had full camera parity with the iPhone. Sometimes I’d rather just use my iPad camera because my iPad is already in my hand while my iPhone is buried deep in my pocket.

 

[Abazigal]

iPad cameras are there as a convenience. Nice to have, but out of the way. If they weren’t there, you’d be cursing Apple for being so cheap for not including them for the few but very essential times you could’ve used them.

id prefer if the iPad had full camera parity with the iPhone. Sometimes I’d rather just use my iPad camera because my iPad is already in my hand while my iPhone is buried deep in my pocket.

Yes! Ipad photographers need some love as well!

 

[Student of Life]

I took this photo on the iPad because it was right next to me and I think it came out good.

 

[1BadManVan]

Rarely use mine but my kids use theirs daily for FaceTime calls

 

[lexvo]

I use my iPad’s front camera daily for video calls. Back camera occasionally for scanning documents.

 

[DanTSX]

It’s my scanner and fax machine. The camera stacks cash for me.

I can also see it being an important part of data capture on the new lidar equipped pros. (No cam is not lidar, but you can capture both at same time)