Apple Was Working on Video Conferencing in iPad?

[Microsoap]

They're only made fun of by a few geeks; normal people don't do that.



This isn't 1994...they're a long way from being a niche company. They have market dominance in several categories.

--Eric

Just in the iPod/iTunes area. Not even really the "smart phone" category, because globally, more people use BlackBerry and Nokia rules the mobile phone industry (though in the US, rule w/ thei iPhone I admit).

More people use the Windows OS. If I've over-looked an area where Apple rules, feel free to let me know.

 

[winks360]

If you think about the way many people are going to use the iPad, a built-in front-facing camera would be just plain stupid, unless Apple threw in complimentary nose-hair trimmers in each box!

Are you planning on setting the tablet on the table and looking straight ahead

 

[nagromme]

are we not learned from iPod nano? and probably iPod touch is going to have that.

The iPod nano proves that a camera can physically fit. It doesn’t prove that it’s convenient and works well in a device you hold like a tablet, aimed (as people have noted) up your nose

You know my perfectly capable iPhone 3G cannot shoot video, for What?

Because it’s too slow. Watch the live video as you aim your iPhone camera and you will see what I mean.

Seriously, if people’s “proof” that Apple withholds features to sell them later is that products improve over time, then EVERY company is scamming us all. (Why didn’t a device come out in 1975 with every possible future feature?)

It sounds like the only company that isn’t scamming people is one that never adds features. I don’t think I’d want to buy from that company either

The progress of additional features and higher specs over time proves nothing about evil conspiracies. It’s just progress, and it will always happen.

...
More people use the Windows OS. If I've over-looked an area where Apple rules, feel free to let me know.

Even you don’t really believe that the number sold is what determines which product is best

 

[Shanpdx]

http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/29/confirmed-iphone-os-3-2-has-support-for-video-calling-file-dow/

 

[lex750]

lol No kidding, eh? The thing that's been around for a million years now on cell phone cameras.

I like how you can do more on the iPod Nano than the iEdsel here in terms of certain basic functions. Just like how iPod was behind on adding an FM tuner.

The sad excuses some Apple loyalist will come up w/ to excuse stupid decisions.

Well they had this video conferencing accessory at the apple store for the 3G, but they pulled it because it was not working right. I hope they offer it for the iPhone 4GS.

 

[furi0usbee]

Hey.. remember those Apple patents for the display (pixels) actually also being able to act as a camera? Imagine that's what the iPad will get, then iPhone 4.0 will unlock these features, or at least make them available via update? That would be pretty cool.

 

[Shanpdx]

The iPod nano proves that a camera can physically fit. It doesn’t prove that it’s convenient and works well in a device you hold like a tablet, aimed (as people have noted) up your nose

then put the camera in there and let the customers to decide whether to show their nose or not?

 

[Eidorian]

Well they had this video conferencing accessory at the apple store for the 3G, but they pulled it because it was not working right. I hope they offer it for the iPhone 4GS.

Haha, oh wow.

That is definitely a classic.

 

[CoreWeb]

Therein lies the rub. In order to be able to hold the device any way you want, the pitch/angle of the camera would need to be adjustable. That would potentially kill the profile of the device. The only real way around that would be to somehow recess it into the bezel when not needed, and have it pop up when you want to use it.

To build such a thing would probably add a lot to the cost.

You realize that possibly the best solution to that may be some sort of camera attachment? Perhaps wireless?

Though, personally, I would prefer a camera built into the screen itself.

 

[caffeinejoe]

i actually buy what I like, and what I can afford. i'm not a mac junkie!

but, i don't like the backlash on the iPad that I'm hearing.

if anything, apple may have underestimated what a v1.0 of their products SHOULD be, now that the technology is out there.

a few of those features should be included. (flash, cam, multitasking). if those three were there, the backlash would probably be much quieter.

i don't disagree with those who say that the iPhone 4.0 update needs it's day, and they may have sacrificed some iPad features for a big bang with iPhone 4.0.

Seriously. Take 3 minutes and watch this video and tell me that you or your family will have no use for an iPad. I was somewhat skeptical with all the 'revolutionary' hyperbole from Apple, but WOW!! For $500.00, it's a no-brainer. And yes, I realize that the vid is not an actual iPad, but you'll get the idea. I'm totally stoked about the iPad and what lies ahead.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntyXvLnxyXk

 

[nagromme]

Well they had this video conferencing accessory at the apple store for the 3G, but they pulled it because it was not working right. I hope they offer it for the iPhone 4GS.

Awesome! But I’m concerned about that wide wooden bezel around the screen!

then put the camera in there and let the customers to decide whether to show their nose or not?

Right, or at least in front of testers in secret. And then they see whether the result is a feature that’s great, or a feature that’s not. Which, along with technical factors (did the part they ordered work reliably? is the software ready?) and cost (do most people need this, or is $499 more important?) add up to a final decision on the feature.

We have no knowledge of that decision or how it was made. I don’t know the asnwer to any of those questions—but I admit I don’t know, where as some (not you) invent some Apple conspiracy based on their emotions rather than facts. (Which, I’ll grant you, is trendy.)

 

[lex750]

Hey.. remember those Apple patents for the display (pixels) actually also being able to act as a camera? Imagine that's what the iPad will get, then iPhone 4.0 will unlock these features, or at least make them available via update? That would be pretty cool.

Yeah that would be cool.

 

[macnchiefs]

I'm convinced this could be one of the worst first gen purchases ever.

This is definitely a wait for 2nd gen situation.

 

[AtticusFinch]

^^^ hahaha Uh, nagro dude, Huffington Post's "Worst 9 Things About iPad" is enough to show ya a low-cost netbook could skate circles around your maxiPad. Enjoy buying that proprietary dock to use USB.

I would try my best not to use the Huffington article to prove your point; it's a moronic piece of journalism published by what seems to be an epidemic of tech commentary written by people who didn't even get their hands one. The typical list of what the iphone doesn't have - is really weak! The name bashing of the ipad became old by 3:00pm the day the ipad was released. Probably around the time that a decent part of the western population realized that they were the only culture on the planet that uses the word pad in the hygiene context. Do you giggle every time someone says note pad?

Apple will never be more than a niche company due to this.

Seriously? Niche companies are not able to dominate an entire market (Smart Phone) within the first year of releasing their first product in the category.

I think the thing people are forgetting in the whole netbook debate is that with the netbooks you get what you pay for - the average netbook actually has a tech life expectancy of 8 months. They are disposable computers.

 

[fobfob]

I still regret, to this day, buying the first iPhone. That whole think really chapped my ass. I learned my lesson and will never buy a 1st gen Apple product ever again.

Huh? What are you smoking? I use my 1st gen iPhone everyday and I still marvel at it. There's hardly any useful apps that I can't use and the the longevity of this device is phenomenal.

 

[Microsoap]

Seriously. Take 3 minutes and watch this video and tell me that you or your family will have no use for an iPad. I was somewhat skeptical with all the 'revolutionary' hyperbole from Apple, but WOW!! For $500.00, it's a no-brainer. And yes, I realize that the vid is not an actual iPad, but you'll get the idea. I'm totally stoked about the iPad and what lies ahead.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntyXvLnxyXk

Okay, Joe. I see your iPad and raise you a Lenovo Tablet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5DYuVN6nuY

It won best of show for CES 2010. Yes, it's pricier than the iPad.

 

[macklos]

Do we know for sure that with the camera connection kit that it won't allow us to use any capable camera for this? Or for sure that it won't be possible with another third party dock connector thingamadoodle?

 

[huntercr]

Same way I felt when I got the 3G, and the 3GS came out shortly. The could have made the 3G as fast. I switched to Verizon and got the Droid. Never looked back.

Because the droid will never get replaced?

That's the stupidest argument I've ever heard.

How is it Apple's fault that you bought something and a newer version came out? Did you get p*ssed off at Sony for coming out with a 3.2GHZ Quad Core when you just bought the 2.8GHZ quad core?

So the 3GS is faster... it isn't faster on cell networks, now is it. How many things do you use on an iPhone that are CPU bound? Practically nothing other than games. Get real dude.

 

[Balty]

If I've over-looked an area where Apple rules, feel free to let me know.

The user experience.

 

[Microsoap]

I would try my best not to use the Huffington article to prove your point; it's a moronic piece of journalism published by what seems to be an epidemic of tech commentary written by...

Snipped your neocon nonsense and ask you if you'll be attending the next Tea Party. Would you like a "top 10 worsts" from other tech sources, because they'll only echo the same thing (albeit perhaps in a different order).

I think the thing people are forgetting in the whole netbook debate is that with the netbooks you get what you pay for - the average netbook actually has a tech life expectancy of 8 months. They are disposable computers.

You DO get what you pay for an obviously a modestly-equipped netbook could skate circles around this iEdsel. And Steve himself compared this (iPad) to netbooks... yet it severely lacks.

And who says they're in landfills in 8 months?

 

[firsttube]

I've been reading macrumors for quite some time, althought I'm more a lurker than a poster.

However, is it at all possible the Apple is actually holding out on features for 2 months from now? Maybe even June? Point being, iPhone OS 4.0 should be coming out around June, wouldn't that imply impending (software) features for the iPad that we don't even know about? This is iPhone OS 3.2. Hardware changes are probably set for the most part, but software wise?

 

[floatingspirit]

no kidding

Hence the: I'm not buying it.

May the future iterations come soon...

 

[fobfob]

You people are a laugh, you are. Your loyalty to such rats.

Loyalty? Everyone makes their own decision to buy or not for themselves on a case by case basis.

They purposely held back on you....Such a petty little thing to exclude when it can help tilt the scales to sale or no sale.

So Apple purposely held it back to limit sales? Make up your mind.

I agree with you about Apple's approach. But I disagree with the term "rat". Do you also call car makers "rats" when they add, say, extra cup holders to the revised model? Why didn't they just build them in to the first model? Rats I tell you!

Apple are a public company and their aim is to maximise profits. In doing so, they will alienate some folks on "moral" grounds. Doesn't matter, as long as profits (now and in the future) are maximised. If you don't like it, complain to your government, not to other customers of Apple.

 

[obeygiant]

And remember, the ONLY reason any feature is ever removed from a design is out of greed. There are never any other reasons—such as it just not working that well in actual testing, or it being just one of a number of things that must get cut to add up to a certain desired price point. Greed is the only possible answer, ever, and this is proven.

I see your sarcasm here and I understand your point. But I have been burned multiple times on first gen apple products and luckly I finally learned my lesson before the first gen iphone, which was subsequently reduced in price then the 3g came out with gps. The tamPad is obviously gimped. I'll happily await the 2nd gen iPad-- if it makes it that far.

 

[SeaFox]

There also are BluRay references throughout which means that an AppleTV version of the iPhone OS is possible

Um, that doesn't make any sense. The AppleTV, much like the iPad, has no optical drive. In fact, no Macs have Blu-Ray IIRTWC (if I remember the whining correctly).

Given this line of thinking, it's more likely there will be a version of the iPhone OS for PCs than the AppleTV.