iWant "iPhone iChat video"

[iMark2007]

Hey Everyone,
This seems so fundamentally important for this device. I want to be able to video chat/conference call people using iChat with my iPhone. Every news article leaves this request out. Why isn't anyone asking for this? I guess this is why I bring this discussion up. If this truly is a communication device, the iPhone should leap into the future with audio "and" video communication. It should then connect with iChat so others can communicate with the iPhone. I think this is the next big step. I don't think it's a stretch either because they already have the camera included and iChat video conference created. I thought this was going to be one of the “Top Secret” features of Leopard (when they talked about iChat) but yet again I was disappointed. So what are the reasons why it isn't included and why isn't anyone requesting it on the top 10 iPhone iWants? For $500 and a 2 year AT&T data subscription commitment, this should be included. At the very least you should be able to leave a message with video instead of just audio. Think big. Think the future. Think Different. Please discuss . (I probably won't buy the iPhone until this is a feature. The minute it is, I'm buying it. I do want the iPhone badly though. I'm just going to have to wait I guess)
-Mark

 

[cmschmidt]

Hey Everyone,
This seems so fundamentally important for this device. I want to be able to video chat/conference call people using iChat with my iPhone. Every news article leaves this request out. Why isn't anyone asking for this? I guess this is why I bring this discussion up. If this truly is a communication device, the iPhone should leap into the future with audio "and" video communication. It should then connect with iChat so others can communicate with the iPhone. I think this is the next big step. I don't think it's a stretch either because they already have the camera included and iChat video conference created. I thought this was going to be one of the “Top Secret” features of Leopard (when they talked about iChat) but yet again I was disappointed. So what are the reasons why it isn't included and why isn't anyone requesting it on the top 10 iPhone iWants? For $500 and a 2 year AT&T data subscription commitment, this should be included. At the very least you should be able to leave a message with video instead of just audio. Think big. Think the future. Think Different. Please discuss . (I probably won't buy the iPhone until this is a feature. The minute it is, I'm buying it. I do want the iPhone badly though. I'm just going to have to wait I guess)
-Mark

the thinking is if at&t allowed people to video chat over ichat there would be no need to use their phone minutes. its the same reason carriers dont' wany skype on phones. why buy the cow if you can get the milk for free...

 

[adrianblaine]

I honestly can't think of a reason I would need to engage in video chatting on a mobile phone. If a co-worker needs to show you something while on the phone, have them email it to you, the screen is so small anyway. Sure, mobile video conferencing may be "the future", but to me right in the present, it still seems gimmicky.

 

[elg23]

the camera is on the back of the phone.. that wouldnt make any sense to have video conferencing on this phone...
they would have to redesign the phone..

 

[Twiztedklown316]

I agree, that video conferencing is the future, or rather the present, its been around for quite sometime, so Im not really sure why its not being brought up more. I'm not so sure how much i would use the feature, but I would certainly use it.
One thing I think would be quite interesting would be to be able to do a live video or "podcast" type on the internet through your phone. Something that would stream live to your website, or myspace, or youtube.

Anyway, they would need to relocate the camera to the front of the device.

One cool idea, I have is that they could
place the camera somehow beneath the screen, (sort of a two way mirror effect) so that you dont see it, this way for video conferencing purposes you could be looking directly into the camera and at the person your speaking with.
The only problem would be taking general pictures, so maybe they would need two cameras (front, back) or a second small screen on the back for framing purposes.

I don't know, all sounds good to me.

About the video conferencing not using minutes -
I would be willing to bet that within 3-5 years, all calling plans will be unlimited talk time, and the real issues will be data plans.

Thats my prediction on that.

 

[applehero]

I am hoping within 5 years it's unlimited voice and we get to choose our bandwidth for data.

 

[cmschmidt]

I am hoping within 5 years it's unlimited voice and we get to choose our bandwidth for data.

ok. but assuming by this time wifi is more available throughout cities (which it probably will be), people would not even need data plans. so they wouldn't need voice and they wouldn't need data. this would effectively put phone companies out of business. probably not actually THAT drastic, but it would do enough to hurt their revenues pretty badly if it was able to catch on enough.

 

[JMax1]

the camera is on the back of the phone.. that wouldnt make any sense to have video conferencing on this phone...
they would have to redesign the phone..

I remember this one commercial when I was living in the UK that was advertising for video conferencing where the whole commercial was showing one guy telling his best mate that he slept with his sister. It was funny.

Anyone remember that? I think it was for O2 or Vodaphone. Could be wrong though.

 

[junebug1]

Honestly I can understand not giving us video chatting...I want to know why no iChat program at all. BIG MISTAKE.

 

[kamiboy]

Video chat on mobile phones has already been attempted in Europe with the introduction of 3G years ago, and proven to be a complete failure. I say, don't hold your breath.

 

[Le Big Mac]

Honestly I can understand not giving us video chatting...I want to know why no iChat program at all. BIG MISTAKE.

With 200 SMS included, or $10 more for unlimited, they're going to make you pay extra for IM-like features rather than including it.

 

[JMax1]

i don't think haveing video chat would take away too much from minutes - you're still paying for data. Also, most people won't have ichat/be at their computers to take the "call"/video chat on their own phones.

There would be plenty of need still for regular telphonie

 

[Lanceomac]

I agree!!

Live video ichat on the iPhone should be included!!! Or at the least video messaging. This is not your fathers phone...

 

[bravedeer]

Wrong!

The reality is that human beings don't want that much interaction most of the time. Sure you may want to video chat with a friend, a relative who lives far away or your wife but the fact remains that most people don't want to be seen when they're on the phone. It's a totally different experience.

I agree, that video conferencing is the future, or rather the present, its been around for quite sometime, so Im not really sure why its not being brought up more. I'm not so sure how much i would use the feature, but I would certainly use it.
One thing I think would be quite interesting would be to be able to do a live video or "podcast" type on the internet through your phone. Something that would stream live to your website, or myspace, or youtube.

 

[iAmLegend]

Live video ichat on the iPhone should be included!!! Or at the least video messaging. This is not your fathers phone...

Again, have you guys not noticed where the camera is located on the iPhone? It's hard enough taking a photo of yourself with this thing, but you're gonna be doing video conferencing?

 

[blueflame]

while video chat currently is impossible, taking a pic of yourself is easy. lookinto the siny apple logo. perfect!
A

Again, have you guys not noticed where the camera is located on the iPhone? It's hard enough taking a photo of yourself with this thing, but you're gonna be doing video conferencing?

 

[bbplayer5]

ill settle for ichat.

 

[pr5owner]

lol some of you people are hilrious, video chatting is the future? wake up buddy, today is the future, 3G phones with video conferencing came out 2.5 years ago.

the HTC Universal had a 3.6" touch screen, 640x480, 3G, dual cameras, 1 for pictures, 1 for video calls. release date? 1Q 2005 (yes 2005!!!!)

hell even the friggin RAZR v3x does video conferencing and it came out more than 2 years ago also. the v3x has removeable storage and a 2MP main photo camera with flash as well.

im sorry but the iphone is not with todays standards. you can flame and bash me all you want but the iphone is still the same in the end,

 

[pr5owner]

Again, have you guys not noticed where the camera is located on the iPhone? It's hard enough taking a photo of yourself with this thing, but you're gonna be doing video conferencing?

its not a 3G device so relax, you will never have video conferencing.

a real video phone has 3.5G (now, 3G back 2-3 years ago) main camera for photo's, CIF (640x480 camera) for the front or the part of the phone that faces you. usually when in a video call you can switch to the main camera if you want to show the other person where you are. or have a bunch of friends in the call as well. i think with some you can even have BOTH cameras functioning at the same time in a split screen for a group call.

 

[neven]

the HTC Universal had a 3.6" touch screen, 640x480, 3G, dual cameras, 1 for pictures, 1 for video calls. release date? 1Q 2005 (yes 2005!!!!)

hell even the friggin RAZR v3x does video conferencing and it came out more than 2 years ago also. the v3x has removeable storage and a 2MP main photo camera with flash as well.

im sorry but the iphone is not with todays standards. you can flame and bash me all you want but the iphone is still the same in the end,

You know, rather than doing either one of those, I'm just going to suggest that everyone google for a picture of the HTC Universal.

 

[pr5owner]

You know, rather than doing either one of those, I'm just going to suggest that everyone google for a picture of the HTC Universal.

its also 2.5 years old! did you forget that? also its a business device its ment to be big since that is the only way you can accomidate a full KB. (you think the Universal is big? look at the HTC Athena/X7500, 5" VGA screen lol)

the closest thing to the iphone if you like the candy bar form factor is the i-mate Ultimate 6150, it has a VGA screen, 3.5G, etc, etc

 

[tjpyles]

lol some of you people are hilrious, video chatting is the future? wake up buddy, today is the future, 3G phones with video conferencing came out 2.5 years ago.

the HTC Universal had a 3.6" touch screen, 640x480, 3G, dual cameras, 1 for pictures, 1 for video calls. release date? 1Q 2005 (yes 2005!!!!)

hell even the friggin RAZR v3x does video conferencing and it came out more than 2 years ago also. the v3x has removeable storage and a 2MP main photo camera with flash as well,

You guys ARE hilarious but not for the reasons you think. Video technology over the phone cell or landline has been around for years. Why don't we see it more often. Bravedeer is right on the mark - people really don't want it. We do too many things while on the phone that people who have had video phones often quit using them. Except for in the corporate world, where there are some real\defined uses, it is a dead end.

We have adapted to the use of the phone as a verbal only communication device. Verbal communication is only a small percentage of typical face to face communication, but on the phone, we have adapted and become comfortable with verbal only communication. If you add back the nonverbal communication that people have left out of the phone, it makes for very difficult and uncomfortable situations. Think about how many times when talking to someone on a phone you gesture or grimace in a tone opposite the one you are verbally communicating. This has been studied many times and is why you will not find a company trying to make a living out of video conferencing for the masses(I have already made the exception for the corporate world where there are defined needs). The ability has been there for years - there isn't a market.

 

[pr5owner]

no, only in the american market where they are afraid of change, why does every 3G phone in europ, japan, australia have a camera on the front? if there is no market why would you waste money manufacturing a CIF camera into the phone?

only americans that are close minded will not want to embrace change.

 

[Sobe]

I want a pony.

 

[dr_lha]

its also 2.5 years old! did you forget that? also its a business device its ment to be big since that is the only way you can accomidate a full KB. (you think the Universal is big? look at the HTC Athena/X7500, 5" VGA screen lol)

the closest thing to the iphone if you like the candy bar form factor is the i-mate Ultimate 6150, it has a VGA screen, 3.5G, etc, etc

How about the SE K700i. Its 3G and has a camera mounted in the earpiece. It does video conferencing.

It would be nice to have this feature, and 3G, on the iPhone, but you know what, that version of the K900i with the video conferencing is not available in the USA for a reason. 3G sucks here. You can get the K900 in the USA, but it only has the back mounted camera, not the front one.