Will.i.am to Launch 14 Megapixel Camera Add-on for iPhone

MacRumors · Nov 23, 2012, 11:36 PM

Telegraph reports that Black Eyed Peas star Will.i.am will be launching an iPhone accessory next week that promises to boost your iPhone's camera significantly.

Quote:

The first product from his new consumer electronics and app venture i.am+ is an accessory that clips onto an iPhone and transforms the eight megapixel smartphone camera into a 14 megapixel camera, which it is claimed dramatically enhances the clarity and definition of your photographs. Speaking exclusively to The Daily Telegraph, he says: 'We have our own sensor and a better flash. You dock you phone into our device and it turns you smartphone into a genius-phone. We take over the camera.'

Few details are offered, but it is described as interfacing to the iPhone through the dock-connector and has its own camera and flash hardware.

Article Link: Will.i.am to Launch 14 Megapixel Camera Add-on for iPhone

MultiMediaWill · Nov 23, 2012, 11:37 PM

I haven't heard anyone complaining that the iPhone needs more megapixels... seems 100% useless.

shurcooL · Nov 23, 2012, 11:38 PM

Pics or it didn't happen.

I don't believe these kind of wild claims, until I have evidence of the contrary. Less disappointments that way.

Edit: "it is described as interfacing to the iPhone through the dock-connector and has its own camera and flash hardware." Ah, in that case it's more believable.

CausticPuppy · Nov 24, 2012, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shurcooL

Pics or it didn't happen.

I don't believe these kind of wild claims, until I have evidence of the contrary. Less disappointments that way.

Edit: "it is described as interfacing to the iPhone through the dock-connector and has its own camera and flash hardware." Ah, in that case it's more believable.

From the description, it just sounds like a digital camera that interfaces via the dock connector. No different than using a digital camera and the camera connection kit, except I guess it'll physically attach to the iPhone and the pictures won't be as good as a dedicated camera.

danpass · Nov 24, 2012, 09:12 AM

So when docked the system becomes an EOS-M?

TheClarkster · Nov 23, 2012, 11:38 PM

So you have to carry this extra 'camera' with you, but it only works when attached to the iPhone?

Why not just a standalone camera then?

NOV · Nov 24, 2012, 12:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheClarkster

So you have to carry this extra 'camera' with you, but it only works when attached to the iPhone?

Why not just a standalone camera then?

you could use the iphone screen for monitoring and use iOS for software and photo management.

Rubytone · Nov 24, 2012, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NOV

you could use the iphone screen for monitoring and use iOS for software and photo management.

A stand alone camera requires a sync operation to move the photos to the iPhone. Not to mention the previous step where the photos need to be transferred from the stand alone camera to a computer. This device would make it possible to skip all that. iPhone has a better screen than all of these high end stand alone cameras as well. AND it's the handiest pocket sized photo viewer around.
I always had to bring my MacBook Pro every time I travelled. Since the 3Gs I rarely bring it any more because the capabilities of the phone have improved so much. We are moving closer to an age where the processing power of our phones will be enough to take care of everything we used to to on a computer and there will be no sync operation. If you don't need a computer for anything other than to transfer high quality photos to your phone then this camera seems less expensive.

coldmack · Nov 24, 2012, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheClarkster

So you have to carry this extra 'camera' with you, but it only works when attached to the iPhone?

Why not just a standalone camera then?

Because that would be too logical.

sticky.chicken · Nov 25, 2012, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheClarkster

So you have to carry this extra 'camera' with you, but it only works when attached to the iPhone?

Why not just a standalone camera then?

Agreed. I've got my DSLR if I want to carry another camera with me.

anomie · Nov 26, 2012, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheClarkster

So you have to carry this extra 'camera' with you, but it only works when attached to the iPhone?

Why not just a standalone camera then?

Because you can attach it to your iPhone so you don't have to carry a second device?
Brain??

Marlor · Nov 24, 2012, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MultiMediaWill

I haven't heard anyone complaining that the iPhone needs more megapixels... seems 100% useless.

The iPhone camera has a tiny lens and a tiny sensor (in surface area, which matters - not pixel count, which doesn't). Its low-light performance is appalling when compared to a real camera, and it has no depth-of-field.

I'm presuming this peripheral will feature a larger lens and a physically bigger sensor. That will greatly improve light-gathering ability. However, I don't see the point. If you want that, just use a real camera, rather than latching a bulky accessory to the iPhone.

northernbaldy · Nov 24, 2012, 02:22 AM

I suppose if it has a decent lens, I might be useful
And also, as the lightning connector works both ways round, maybe this thing will be reversible too

arashb · Nov 27, 2012, 03:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MultiMediaWill

I haven't heard anyone complaining that the iPhone needs more megapixels... seems 100% useless.

I've never heard of anyone complaining that Apple needed to make a phone with touchscreen and iPod. But they did, and how did that turn out? :P. Lots of thing Apple, and anyone else makes or improves on, are things nobody asks for and only realize they need when it comes out.

Did I need an iPhone 5 when I had the 4s? Nope. But it came out and I got it, can I ever go back to the 4s? Nope.

Quote:

Originally Posted by VenusianSky

Well somebody has to put the money up to have a product manufactured. Yeah, I think it is pretty safe to assume that Dre isn't the engineer, but you know it takes more than engineer to "make" a product happen? An engineer can build headphones, but they might sound like garbage or marketed poorly and nobody would buy them. I am sure Dre has enough experience with using speakers and headphones to qualify him as more than a novice in the field anyways. Not sure about William and cameras however.

You think beats are good? The only look good around your neck. The engineer sucks, but the marketer is a genius.

ZacNicholson · Nov 23, 2012, 11:38 PM

i doubt it will be useful

AJH1993 · Nov 23, 2012, 11:38 PM

This add-on better be so three thousand and eight.

And not two thousand and late

hlfway2anywhere · Nov 23, 2012, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AJH1993

This add-on better be so three thousand and eight.

And not two thousand and late

i logged on just to like that comment.

WardC · 11:54 PM

The add-on carries Megapixels of fourteen...

And it's maker claims it lean and mean...

It will come out in two thousand and thirteen...

Will.I.Am promoting the camera of dreams.

Oh...and one more thing. It (the camera) will be the size of a Black-eyed pea!!

v0lume4 · Nov 24, 2012, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hlfway2anywhere

i logged on just to like that comment.

I did the exact same

kuebby · Nov 23, 2012, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AJH1993

This add-on better be so three thousand and eight.

And not two thousand and late

Yeah, as in, for the 5, not the 4/4S.

kevinpdoyle · Nov 23, 2012, 11:48 PM

Or you could buy a professional camera......

appleguy123 · Nov 23, 2012, 11:49 PM

The iOS version of the Samsung galaxy camera?

bigchrisfgb · Nov 24, 2012, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by appleguy123

The iOS version of the Samsung galaxy camera?

Apple were rumoured to be working on their own camera last year. I suspect it will happen so or later, Apple will need to offer more than just their current line up of iOS and Mac line ups in future.

obsoletepower · Nov 24, 2012, 09:48 AM

Let's see, what does a loser with no talent but lots of wrongfully acquired fame do? Oh yeah........release useless products at ridiculous prices thereby giving the illusion of premium. So sick of these clowns lol.

NT1440 · Nov 24, 2012, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigchrisfgb

Apple were rumoured to be working on their own camera last year. I suspect it will happen so or later, Apple will need to offer more than just their current line up of iOS and Mac line ups in future.

And bring about the second near death of the company?

Nov 23, 2012, 11:37 PM	#2
MultiMediaWill macrumors 65816 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Illinois	I haven't heard anyone complaining that the iPhone needs more megapixels... seems 100% useless. __________________ Click here for the iPhone 5 iOS 6.0 Jailbreak! MacBook Pro 15" 2011 , 2.2 GHz Quad i7, 750GB HDD, 8GB RAM, Anti-Glare iPhone 5 32gb iPad 3 16gb
	87

Nov 24, 2012, 09:12 AM	#5
danpass macrumors 68020 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Miami, FL	So when docked the system becomes an EOS-M? __________________ iPhone 5 iPad Mini B32V iPad Mini - A 3 month review iMovie in iPad Mini - Tips Tips and Tricks for iMovie for iPhone
	0

Nov 24, 2012, 02:22 AM	#13
northernbaldy macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: the north, UK	I suppose if it has a decent lens, I might be useful And also, as the lightning connector works both ways round, maybe this thing will be reversible too __________________ 17" MacBook pro, MacMini Server, iPhone 5 64gb, AppleTV, iPad 32gb wifi, 11" MacBook Air
	0

Nov 23, 2012, 11:38 PM	#15
ZacNicholson macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Indiana	i doubt it will be useful __________________ follow me on twitter @zac_nicholson watch my youtube www.youtube.com/mrzacnicholson 2011 13" MBP, iPhone 4 (jailbroken), iPad 3 32 GB Verizon(jailbroken), Apple tv 2(jailbroken)
	21

Nov 23, 2012, 11:38 PM	#16
AJH1993 macrumors regular Join Date: Oct 2011	This add-on better be so three thousand and eight. And not two thousand and late
	321

Nov 23, 2012, 11:38 PM	#3
shurcooL macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jan 2011	Pics or it didn't happen. I don't believe these kind of wild claims, until I have evidence of the contrary. Less disappointments that way. Edit: "it is described as interfacing to the iPhone through the dock-connector and has its own camera and flash hardware." Ah, in that case it's more believable.
	1

Nov 23, 2012, 11:38 PM	#6
TheClarkster macrumors newbie Join Date: May 2009	So you have to carry this extra 'camera' with you, but it only works when attached to the iPhone? Why not just a standalone camera then?
	54

Nov 23, 2012, 11:49 PM	#18
WardC macrumors 68020 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Fort Worth, TX	The add-on carries Megapixels of fourteen... And it's maker claims it lean and mean... It will come out in two thousand and thirteen... Will.I.Am promoting the camera of dreams. Oh...and one more thing. It (the camera) will be the size of a Black-eyed pea!! __________________ iMac 27" 3.4GHz i7 SSD 16GB RAM Retina MacBook Pro 15-inch 2.6GHz/512GB Flash PowerMac G5 2.5GHz Quad-Core / 16GB RAM / 7800GT Thinking about Apple... Last edited by WardC; Nov 23, 2012 at 11:54 PM.
	11

Nov 23, 2012, 11:48 PM	#21
kevinpdoyle macrumors newbie Join Date: May 2012	Or you could buy a professional camera......
	36

Nov 23, 2012, 11:49 PM	#22
appleguy123 macrumors 603 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: 15 minutes in the future	The iOS version of the Samsung galaxy camera? __________________ [Steve Jobs was] brave enough to think differently, bold enough to believe he could change the world, and talented enough to do it. -Barack Obama
	5

Nov 24, 2012, 09:48 AM	#24
obsoletepower macrumors regular Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Toronto, Canada	Let's see, what does a loser with no talent but lots of wrongfully acquired fame do? Oh yeah........release useless products at ridiculous prices thereby giving the illusion of premium. So sick of these clowns lol. __________________ 27" iMac 3.4GHz i7 w/ GTX 680MX 2GB \| 15" MacBook Pro \| 16GB iPad WiFi + 3G (1st gen) \| 16GB iPad WiFi (3rd gen)
	0

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode