iPod (music player), iPhone (cell phone), then...

[bluedoggiant]

Even if that were true, it's still not a market I can see Apple penetrating.

First of all, there's not a lot missing from the camera market as it is now that Apple can take advantage of. For the most part, camera manufacturers have taken cameras to amazing levels, and there just isn't much room for improvement (other than the technology itself).

...You say the UI, but is the UI on a camera really that important? ...I'd say that many digital camera owners never even use it (and the rest don't care).

Plus, if Apple were to make a digital camera, they'd have to outsource practically every single component. ...It'd be practically like the HP iPod, only in this case it'd be the Apple Cybershot (a sony camera with Apple's UI). ...Do we all remember how that HP iPod worked out?

And Apple would still be missing the most important thing: reputation. People care a lot about their cameras. They want a camera they can trust to capture their memories forever. Everyone's worst fear is getting back from a vacation to find out all of their pictures are blurry. ...The same isn't true for an iPod or iPhone because if it doesn't work well, you buy a new one and you've only lost money. If you buy a camera that takes poor pictures, you've wasted your money and lost your pictures forever.

How many people are willing to take a chance with their memories?

PS - Plus, an Apple camera would have virtually no professional support (they'll stick with their Canons and Nikons and Sonys). Who's going to want a camera that the professionals don't trust?

not dslrs, point and shoot, and comon, 2 years ago you wouldnt see apple making a phone, so you wouldnt see them making a camera

 

[diamond.g]

not dslrs, point and shoot, and comon, 2 years ago you wouldnt see apple making a phone, so you wouldnt see them making a camera

The qeustion you have to ask, is what can Apple add to the point and shoot world that is missing or hasn't been done? I mean AFAIK the multitouch interface really wouldn't help much in taking pictures. Point and shoot cameras really only need one button (okay two if you count the power button).

 

[EricNau]

not dslrs, point and shoot, and comon, 2 years ago you wouldnt see apple making a phone, so you wouldnt see them making a camera

Actually, 2 years ago many of us "saw" Apple making a phone (and in fact, Apple was).

Adding a mobile phone to the iPod was never that unexpected (it was basically inevitable). Like I said before, a cell phone is just a miniature computer, and computers are Apple's specialty.

A camera on the other hand is completely different.

 

[zap2]

Everyone's worst fear is getting back from a vacation to find out all of their pictures are blurry.

I'd rate having burry picture up there with my family dyeing, or my soul being eaten!

 

[RossoA]

id say..they should make there cinema displays into nice tvs..with built in AppleTV features(such as wifi/hard drive)

i want a 40" Apple Television with Built in AppleTV

Oh God, me too. Imagine the price though. Phew.

 

[bluedoggiant]

Oh God, me too. Imagine the price though. Phew.

again, after the icam

 

[dangleheart]

The qeustion you have to ask, is what can Apple add to the point and shoot world that is missing or hasn't been done? I mean AFAIK the multitouch interface really wouldn't help much in taking pictures. Point and shoot cameras really only need one button (okay two if you count the power button).

People put up with point and shoot cameras because they are easy to use even if the pictures are ordinary. If you make manipulating the common controls easy to use then people will start using them.
The user interface on feature rich cameras sucks big time. It is so darn difficult to know what each one does and how to even activate them. After activating them there is no feedback if what you have done is correct. Apple UI can add real value in all these fronts. I am not sure if they have interest in that area.

 

[Sobe]

I would argue that the UIs on DSLRs are an impediment to penetration by a larger consumer base.

My dad for example is photography-nut. He barely ever uses the settings on his nikon -- and it's not because he has no interest. He just doesn't have the time to learn the interface.

If you could rework the UI so that modifying photo settings were as intuitive and userfriendly as the ipod or iphone interfaces are, I think a lot of people would be interested.

I don't think it's likely, but my point is that Apple excels at UIs and the digital camera UI market is ripe for someone to come in a revolutionize it.

 

[The General]

id say..they should make there cinema displays into nice tvs..with built in AppleTV features(such as wifi/hard drive)

i want a 40" Apple Television with Built in AppleTV

I'd buy one. But I'd want a 52"

 

[diamond.g]

People put up with point and shoot cameras because they are easy to use even if the pictures are ordinary. If you make manipulating the common controls easy to use then people will start using them.
The user interface on feature rich cameras sucks big time. It is so darn difficult to know what each one does and how to even activate them. After activating them there is no feedback if what you have done is correct. Apple UI can add real value in all these fronts. I am not sure if they have interest in that area.

I would argue that the UIs on DSLRs are an impediment to penetration by a larger consumer base.

My dad for example is photography-nut. He barely ever uses the settings on his nikon -- and it's not because he has no interest. He just doesn't have the time to learn the interface.

If you could rework the UI so that modifying photo settings were as intuitive and user friendly as the ipod or iphone interfaces are, I think a lot of people would be interested.

I don't think it's likely, but my point is that Apple excels at UIs and the digital camera UI market is ripe for someone to come in a revolutionize it.

I really would love to see Apple come out with a camera. I am just having a hard time understanding how a P&S camera can have options that are too confusing. I mean I turn the dial to the lil person running for action shots. Or turn the dial to the lil mountain for landscape shots. Seems to make sense to me. What other options to P&S cameras have that require a manual to use?

 

[nbs2]

well thats true, apple cant make their own optics, its just too much, but i would think they will adapt it from a company like carl ziess or sumthing

Except most of the majors optics folks willing to do so are already in deals with other companies - deals which I expect are exclusive.

 

[Noumenon]

Cause Pixar has been known to make great videogames...

Umm, models, 3d environments, are in every modern game released today,... CG animation and games are closely related. Besides, i said 'resource',... never said anything about pixar writing games.

 

[diamond.g]

Umm, models, 3d environments, are in every modern game released today,... CG animation and games are closely related. Besides, i said 'resource',... never said anything about pixar writing games.

Oh well my bad. I wonder what kind of games Apple could come up with that could possibly rival the phenom known as the Nintendo DS.

 

[dangleheart]

I really would love to see Apple come out with a camera. I am just having a hard time understanding how a P&S camera can have options that are too confusing. I mean I turn the dial to the lil person running for action shots. Or turn the dial to the lil mountain for landscape shots. Seems to make sense to me. What other options to P&S cameras have that require a manual to use?

I grant you and P&S does not need a UI but my contention is P&S is the least common denominator because that is what the camera industry could do so far. If the UI is better, some of the advanced options can be brought down to the level of P&S audience who are casual users who want to have some extra controls.

 

[diamond.g]

I grant you and P&S does not need a UI but my contention is P&S is the least common denominator because that is what the camera industry could do so far. If the UI is better, some of the advanced options can be brought down to the level of P&S audience who are casual users who want to have some extra controls.

What other advanced options will users actually care about controling. And why would Apple, kings of hiding advanced stuff, expose that to users?

I mean there is what Metering, F Stop, Shutter Speed, ISO, and White Balance? How can Apple make those easy to understand for someone that has no idea what they are?

 

[bluedoggiant]

Oh well my bad. I wonder what kind of games Apple could come up with that could possibly rival the phenom known as the Nintendo DS.

nintendo ds isnt a phenom, the psp is, and this is kinda off topic

 

[Sobe]

I mean there is what Metering, F Stop, Shutter Speed, ISO, and White Balance? How can Apple make those easy to understand for someone that has no idea what they are?

therein lies the challenge.

 

[diamond.g]

nintendo ds isnt a phenom, the psp is, and this is kinda off topic

I would love to hear an explaination, but yeah it is off topic....


@Sobe:
I tell you, if Apple can make those controls more visual, maybe a preview of some sort, plus kick butt optics, plus about 10 megapixels I'd happily sell my D50+lenses and buy one.