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macbook123

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Feb 11, 2006
1,869
85
Question: Why does Apple not offer a version without back-facing camera? I have never talked to anybody about it who has ever used this camera. It seems a complete waste of resources. I'd buy a $5 cheaper iPad without this camera without hesitation.

I also wonder this: how much do the 16 GB extra in the 32 GB storage version cost Apple compared to that camera? Most people I know (myself included) would much prefer having getting that upgrade for free in return for losing the camera.

There surely must be a reason why Apple is still putting the camera in there I fail to see. Please enlighten me.
 

anim8or

macrumors 65816
Aug 16, 2006
1,362
9
Scotland, UK
While I do agree that the camera in the rear of the iPad seems stupid to me and I never use it even when using Skype or FaceTime, I have however seen loads of people who do use it.... They look like fools but heck it gets used!
 

luqtotheman

macrumors regular
Jun 14, 2012
198
3
I thought the same but it does have uses.

During FaceTime, apps like eBay and turbotax. Obviously the ipad isn't someone's main camera.
 

acorntoy

macrumors 68000
May 25, 2010
1,997
2,211
My mother uses the camera a lot, she likes it more than the 4S camera because its easier for her to see want she is taking a picture of.

On my iPad I use it often enough for apps like eBay when using IMessage or just taking a quick shot when my phone is in the other room that it would be missed.

I do agree though it looks ridiculous when you see people using it.
 

ucfgrad93

macrumors Core
Aug 17, 2007
19,522
10,810
Colorado
I was watching the Pro Bowl last night, and during one of the interviews there was a fan in the background that lifted up her iPad to take a picture.

I wouldn't use it, but other people do.
 

Gibbons

macrumors member
Jul 17, 2007
90
0
because maybe on a video call a person might want to show someone something other than their face, like a new house, car, or infant child.

besides if I was using my ipad and saw a photo or video op, perhaps of said infant child, i wouldn't hesitate to launch the photo app and snap away. who cares how it looks to some people?

so the answer is that it can be a very useful feature for most sane people.
 

trvsglr

macrumors member
Sep 20, 2009
81
0
Even if there was a $5 cheaper model with no camera, I think most people would end up forking out the extra $ because they would be thinking "just in case" and "it's only $5 you never know, right?"
 

raccoonboy

macrumors 6502a
Oct 22, 2012
918
5
I think people use it because it is there on the Ipad. No one would really miss it if its gone. Especially later gen Ipad is quite heavy and holding it to take picture is a little ridiculous.

If Ipad could cut the price down and remove the rear camera and make it lighter, slimmer. I would definitely buy it. Camera on the mini makes more sense because it is still small and light enough.
 

dinggus

macrumors 65816
Jan 17, 2012
1,309
63
I see the iPad being used to take pictures and record, first time was during 2011 New Years in NYC, second time was last month at Disney World, a lot of people were doing it.

It's better to have it than not have it and then want it. I'm sure if the iPad didn't have a back facing camera, then someone would have created a thread similar to this, just saying they'd fork out the extra $5..

I don't need majority of the stock Apple Apps, I should create a thread about it.
 
S

syd430

Guest
Because the cost of the additional camera to Apple is almost negligible. Even if it wern't why would they complicate the line up by having a model with no rear-facing camera? Should they also sell the 'iPad with no Bluetooth radio edition' as well? BTO online like Dell or Lenovo is one thing, but having whole different products in store with $5 peripherals missing doesn't make sense for any OEM.
 

Fruit Cake

macrumors 6502a
Mar 31, 2012
597
20
I just wanted to say I read this thread and want 5 mins of my life back spent 2mins reading this crap (3mins interest ;)
 

shortcrust

macrumors 6502
Aug 7, 2008
476
105
I often use it to take photos of pages of book, magazines etc.

I just wanted to say I read this thread and want 5 mins of my life back spent 2mins reading this crap (3mins interest ;)

Perhaps spending time replying to the thread wasn't such a great idea then?:confused:
 

Amplelink

macrumors 6502a
Oct 8, 2012
933
392
I love the back facing camera and it'd feel weirder without one. I don't use it as my daily shooter, obviously. But it's great for impromptu moments when you just have your iPad. I've also used it with my scanner app and it turns out great PDFs when I've needed it in a few circumstances where there wasn't a physical scanner around. And as other people have already noted, it's great being able to FaceTime with both cameras, with the back one allowing people to see what you see.

Got a Nexus 7 as well and it feels incredibly odd to not have a back facing camera.
 

Abazigal

Contributor
Jul 18, 2011
19,457
21,847
Singapore
Odd you create this thread, I just put together a quick keynote this morning using images snapped using the ipad's back camera.

Definitely more handy than many people are giving it credit for. :)
 

MultiFinder17

macrumors 68030
Jan 8, 2008
2,719
2,037
Tampa, Florida
I use the back camera on my mini when I'm using my iPad and want to snap a quick picture of something to send to someone. It's nice to not have to go grab my phone to do that.
 

maflynn

macrumors Haswell
May 3, 2009
73,419
43,307
The last time I was on vacation (in DisneyWorld), I saw quite a lot of people using their iPads as cameras. So while the OP may not see value in the camera others do not share that sentiment.

My kids love playing with my iPad mini and the camera and while I can understand his point, the cost difference is probably not enough to justify supporting a different product configuration
 

Arran

macrumors 601
Mar 7, 2008
4,846
3,779
Atlanta, USA
I recently filed a product warranty claim. The camera made it easy.
1) Download claim form.
2) AirPrint form.
3) Fill out form by hand.
4) Snap picture of completed form.
5) Snap picture of damaged product.
6) Email both to manufacturer.
Done.

If I was clever I'd have annotated the form onscreen - but that would've taken longer.
 

HobeSoundDarryl

macrumors G5
It is a camera they have with them (handy for the impromptu photo or video).

If you watch any "behind the scenes" shows, the pros shoot quality programming using a big preview screen (bigger than iPad). Being able to see the finer details of what they are shooting means getting a better photo or video.

This device is trying to evolve into an everything device: don't need a separate camera, remote control, phone, computer, music player, portable movie player, GPS, internet-connected device, etc. Lots of functionality in one device.

Have you seen the apps that use it for stuff other than photos or videos? For example, there's travel apps where you aim the camera at a sign written in a foreign language and it translates that sign to english. There's check deposit options where you can deposit a check without going to the bank by snapping a picture of it. Download Star Walk and go outside at night, aim your iPad camera skyward and the app tells you the names of everything you can see. Etc. There's lots of utility for giving an iPad an "eye" beyond just taking photographs or video.

Lastly, not everyone has an iPhone. So assuming iPhone makes many functions available within an iPad redundant. Perhaps one should argue the iPad should be cut down to just a bigger screen ONLY for iPhone users who want to stream iPhone images to a bigger screen (a "dumb screen" iPhone companion if you will)? The better choice is to assume that not everyone has an iPhone: then think about what needs to be in an iPad. If I don't have an iPhone, I want a lot of iPhone functionality in an iPad.

I'm with the other guy above: if the whine is about saving $5, I'd rather pay the $5 and get the camera (something like that Star Walk or visual language translation benefit is mind blowing if one cares about such stuff). Several retailers will regularly discount iPads by a few bucks (like $5). Buy yourself one from there and put a piece of duct tape over the camera hole. Save $5 and end up with the exact same functionality- or lack thereof- you seek.
 
Last edited:

ougum

macrumors regular
Apr 30, 2008
144
8
because maybe on a video call a person might want to show someone something other than their face, like a new house, car, or infant child.

besides if I was using my ipad and saw a photo or video op, perhaps of said infant child, i wouldn't hesitate to launch the photo app and snap away. who cares how it looks to some people?

so the answer is that it can be a very useful feature for most sane people.

I'm with you. I can't believe how much people really care what folks think of them using their iPads for picture taking.. I could care less what a person would think of me using my iPad to take pictures. They sure didn't help me pay for my device. I haven't used mine yet, but it's nice to know it's there if I need it.
 
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