Yet another friend of mine (3rd this week) is "waiting on Apple to put a camera in".

[glasscity]

The very first time I saw the ipad, I thought the lack of a camera was a killer. I wasn't going to consider it, ever, without a camera, because I thought that what it should do, is be a netbook.

My thinking now is it's nothing even remotely like a netbook, and in fact, I'm starting to warm up to it. As an e-reader that could double as a web browsing machine in a flash, and could double as a portable gaming machine and a machine that's a light office traveler... My thinking was wrong on what the ipad was, or what I thought it should be. My new thinking is it's closer to an iphone on steroids, and that's a good thing. So, it doesn't need a camera, as what it's primary use will be, isn't something you'd use to make calls on.

If you want to make calls, you have an iphone or a blackberry. I think it's for those who do a lot of work on the go and need something that's more powerful and easier to use than a smartphone, but less bulky and has more portability than a notebook computer. I dunno, the more I think about the ipad, the more I warm up to it.

 

[robfromabove]

Hasn't there already been speculation that 3rd party developers might potentially release a camera for it? If so, what does it matter if Apple includes one or not? If anything, an external camera would be more functional than one that looks up your nose, since you could adjust the angle of it etc.

 

[Eso]

So, it doesn't need a camera, as what it's primary use will be, isn't something you'd use to make calls on.

Actually, a camera is used to capture pictures, not make phone calls.

 

[glasscity]

Actually, a camera is used to capture pictures, not make phone calls.

They're talking about a front facing camera, or at least some of the people were. My bad if I misinterpreted.

 

[mrgreen4242]

Hasn't there already been speculation that 3rd party developers might potentially release a camera for it? If so, what does it matter if Apple includes one or not? If anything, an external camera would be more functional than one that looks up your nose, since you could adjust the angle of it etc.

The only speculation I've seen of that is a conceptual mockup done by a MR forum member. So, not really any rumors or speculation, just wishful thinking.

 

[johndango]

It just doesn't make sense. I think people want it so IF they want to use it they could. But 99% won't or will use it once.

I've got a webcam on my laptop, barely used. Webcam on my netbook, never used. Camera on my DSi, used once. Camera on all my cell phones, used sparingly.

It's just not useful IMO. I'd rather save on the expense.

 

[Hmac]

Actually, a camera is used to capture pictures, not make phone calls.

Actually, most of the people who are talking about a front-facing camera are talking about using it for video conferencing, such as Skype or iChat.

 

[bluehaze013]

The processor probably doesn't have the horsepower to make a usable camera for skype or something similiar at these resolutions.

 

[FoxDavis]

No important to me because by the time it comes out, the current iPad will be tweaked a little and to be honest, all electronic's now days are some what throw a ways! So use the new one, then get the one with camera, if it's that good.

 

[Gregintosh]

They probably didn't put it in to keep the cost down and to get it to market ASAP as adding a camera would push the timeframe back in order to properly develop and test the camera software, hardware, etc.

Revision 2 will probably have it, a front facing camera in the next iPad gen is probably the most predictable feature/upgrade of any Apple product ever.

With that said, a camera is not really a deal breaker for me. I have the iPhone already and that has the camera. I don't videoconference really, so front facing is pointless.

It's one of those features that really looks good on paper and in theory, but in reality will hardly be used. Much like many people prefer cameras in laptops, making it a standard feature, yet 99% of them don't get used at all.

 

[LucidPsychosis]

Well, I don't like the lack of a camera, but I was planning on waiting until gen 2 anyway, so hopefully by gen 2, a camera will be standard. It'd be cool of Apple to at least offer a camera peripheral.

 

[thejakill]

Enjoy your kool-aid

Grape is my favorite. I'll be drinking a glass, sitting in my lazyboy, using my new ipad on the evening of April 3. Can't wait!

 

[greygray]

Why does everybody have to say "my friend"?

 

[FrankieTDouglas]

Hasn't there already been speculation that 3rd party developers might potentially release a camera for it? If so, what does it matter if Apple includes one or not? If anything, an external camera would be more functional than one that looks up your nose, since you could adjust the angle of it etc.

Okay seriously people, this often used defense of no camera is completely asinine. Please, in what way would a camera be looking up your nose? Only if it was laying flat and you were looking in front of you, in no way paying attention to your screen. Barring this moment of completely disregarding the conversation AND laying your ipad down, at no point would the camera ever be looking up your nose. It would simply be facing you straight on, because your head would be turned towards the screen at the current conversation taking place.

At least come up with a reasonable argument while supporting Apple's withholding of standard features. These ******** counters are blind loyalty.

 

[samcraig]

Okay seriously people, this often used defense of no camera is completely asinine. Please, in what way would a camera be looking up your nose? Only if it was laying flat and you were looking in front of you, in no way paying attention to your screen. Barring this moment of completely disregarding the conversation AND laying your ipad down, at no point would the camera ever be looking up your nose. It would simply be facing you straight on, because your head would be turned towards the screen at the current conversation taking place.

At least come up with a reasonable argument while supporting Apple's withholding of standard features. These ******** counters are blind loyalty.

Exactly - same point I was making. The same people who claim it would be hard to hold it correctly for iChat either for form factor or weight have no problem saying what a great eBook reader it will be. Silly

 

[jimboutilier]

I'm one of those that uses Skype video calling a lot and think a user facing webcam is an important feature.

I find the iPad interesting and will be following its development, but for many reasons I don't think I'll follow my usual early adopter pattern here.

So far I think Apple has failed miserably in their claims of a "magical" device that gives a user a far better experience in things like browsing, mail, calendar, pictures, video etc than existing devices. So for me the iPad would be an "extra" device to drag around that offers me nothing I don't already have, and a WORSE experience in several key areas Apple claims is better.

 

[zipa]

It depends on if they want businesses to adopt it or not.

Businesses? Really? For what?

EDIT: That's sounds about as reasonable as thinking that businesses would "adopt" the iPod Touch.

 

[vini-vidi-vici]

Okay seriously people, this often used defense of no camera is completely asinine. Please, in what way would a camera be looking up your nose? Only if it was laying flat and you were looking in front of you, in no way paying attention to your screen. Barring this moment of completely disregarding the conversation AND laying your ipad down, at no point would the camera ever be looking up your nose. It would simply be facing you straight on, because your head would be turned towards the screen at the current conversation taking place.

At least come up with a reasonable argument while supporting Apple's withholding of standard features. These ******** counters are blind loyalty.

It has to do with the most common viewing angle with an ipad vs. a laptop. With a laptop or desktop, the viewing angle of the screen is more parallel to the plane of your face. With an iPad, the more common viewing (and using) angle is more oblique to your face. Next time you pick up something to read (book, newspaper, etc), note the angle you are holding it. That said, if you were to engage in a video chat, you could certainly move the iPad to a different angle. But, then you'd have to hold it up higher/longer, or put it in a dock, or rest it against something... just not a comfortable setup.

Personally, I don't really care. I never video chat. I know some people do, especially to "talk to the grandkids" from a distance. I find video chatting to be a hassle. You have to sit there in front of the computer screen, instead of walking around. Plus, seeing someone's face doesn't really add much value to the conversation (and the lighting is almost never good). It makes it more personal, but for 95% of "phone conversations", that's not very valuable.

I'm sure Apple looked very closely at this, and whatever decision they made was pretty thoroughly debated. It's not going to affect my decision to get one. Maybe they'll put one in v2 to spur a second round of sales, who knows... I'd be fine with that, but wouldn't feel like I missed anything with v1.

 

[vicky123]

Businesses? Really? For what?

EDIT: That's sounds about as reasonable as thinking that businesses would "adopt" the iPod Touch.

There are a lot of potential business uses for the iPad. It could be used in hospitals to keep patient records as doctors and nurses make their rounds, there are major confidentiality issues here, it could be used in board rooms for presentations, by businessmen to keep their calendars and contacts and for note taking in meetings, product development is generally kept confidential, it could be used by business for training materials, etc. Think outside the box a little before making statements about reasonable uses. There is a lot of potential for this item to be used in many different ways besides sitting home on your couch playing games and watching movies which are better viewed on your big screen tv.

ETA: Why do you think they are making iWork apps? To attract business uses for the product.