Apple Was Working on Video Conferencing in iPad?

[fobfob]

Please, if Apple developed this AMAZING device, you would be singing a different story. Kudos to Lenovo, now that is innovation, and design at it's best. Apple take note.

I acknowledge the innovation and design. Now it needs a market. The problem with the Lenovo is not the notebook part (which is just a notebook with a removable screen), but the tablet part. That UI is horrible. And if I'm buying a tablet, I don't need to buy yet another notebook. I already have one. Plus it's expensive, plus it's late.

I'm just applying the same level of critical analysis that people love to subject Apple to. I'm not saying that the Lenovo is a "FAIL" or any other such nonsense. I'm just saying (as many love to proclaim about the iPad), that it's not for me. Now, the iPad has its faults too.

Apple has rushed to market, definitely, but they're closer to shipping than anyone else, at a pricepoint that's competitive, if not lower than anyone else. Sure, the leveraging of the iPhone ecosystem shoehorned into the iPad is somewhat cynical, but its still a heavyweight entrance. And by the time the others' vapor ships and becomes useable, the iPad will have some serious native apps. Rev 2 with the missing hardware features will be the knockout blow.

One thing I don't expect Apple to add is multitasking. This is the only real gamble I think. iPhone OS vs Android or webOS is one thing. iPhone OS vs Win7 is either extreme arrogance or pure genius.

 

[nagromme]

...
One thing I don't expect Apple to add is multitasking. This is the only real gamble I think.

Maybe not, but I think they might—as long as the iPad has horsepower to spare, which it may.

As far as I can tell, an iPhone already is typically multitasking five GUI apps at once, plus miscellaneous background stuff (calendar notifications, app/music/video downloads in progress, iPod playback, push notification—which can make an app SEEM to be multitasking, with no CPU overhead nor battery waste).

Of course, the main difference to the user between multitasking and not is how fast apps launch. The iPad, being fast to begin with, helps answer that even without third-party multitasking. (The other difference is how you get notified of things. Push is great, but the interface could stand to grow—and hopefully it will with 4.0.)

Five apps?

* Springboard

* Safari

* Mail

* Phone

* Whatever third party app you’re running at the moment

You know the first four are multitasking because they pop up instantly when needed.

So how about this: keep the five app limit, but let the user pick two of the “special” slots. Springboard, Phone and Safari would be a given. The other two slots (Mail and Maps by default) would adapt to your use.

It would track not how often you launch an app or how much time you spend in it, but how many times you SWITCH BACK AND FORTH. And it would learn which apps to “really multitask” with, and it would vary with your use from day to day. In Settings, you could view a ranked list of most-switched apps and pick two yourself, if you wished that level of control. Plus there would be a non-adaptive setting that just multitasks the two most recently-launched.

It would still quit ANY background app automatically when conditions require, so there would be no need for maddening manual task management a la Android.

I think something like that could work well even on the iPhone. And certainly on the iPad.

Whether OS 4.0 has anything like that remains to be seen! I think it’s 50/50 on the iPad, and much less on the iPhone. But possible at least.

 

[baddj]

Maybe apple will release a camera addon like they have with the iPad Camera Connection Kit or maybe will have support for webcams on the usb one you never you until this product is for sale.

 

[fobfob]

Of course, the main difference to the user between multitasking and not is how fast apps launch.

Agreed.

So how about this: keep the five app limit, but let the user pick two of the “special” slots. Springboard, Phone and Safari would be a given. The other two slots (Mail and Maps by default) would adapt to your use.

Good idea. I think this departs from the simplicity that Apple is going for. Apple is so hell bent on simplicity that it gets in the road of common sense some times. For example, why are all my 100+ apps at the same level? Why can't I have nested directories or at least group them with a lasoo or some sort of boundary? I shouldn't have to go to spotlight to find something. The reason is simplicity. Apple is gambling that the simplicity of just having icons on a screen, and that's it, outweighs the "complication" of a hierarchical, ordered structure. Personally, I don't see a company with that mindset implementing a scheme similar to your (interesting) idea.

Personally, I think Apple will only rethink or make major changes to the iPad OS if the iPad is a market failure. Otherwise, it's full steam ahead with singletasking until a very distant future point. Look at the 'upsides':

1. User experience in an app is guaranteed. This is paramount.
2. CPU/power/cost tradeoff can be finely balanced when you control the computing environment. Without multitasking, Apple can keep shipping custom CPUs with what would be called mediocre performance in the "multitasking" world, and in so doing, keep costs down and power usage down to increase battery life. I'm not saying the A4 is mediocre today, but in a year it may be, and Apple have the luxury to decide whether to increase power, increase battery life, or decrease price. In a multitasking environment the users would be screaming for more and more power. Apple doesn't play that game.
3. Point of differentiation with a laptop. Despite all the handheld device attention, the laptops are still the lifeblood of Apple revenue. What's the difference between an iPad hypothetically running OSX with external keyboard, and an MBA? The MBA is faster, but costs way more. It's confusing to the market and scary to Apple. OK so OSX is not the same thing as a multitasking iPhone OS, but its on the way for the average user.
4. OK this one is a stretch, I admit. It needs some more thought: At the end of the day, the slate format really is a compromise. If you have to hold it in your hands or lap all the time, the user interaction is already limited. Like the cramped netbook, Apple have (I presume) decided that the slate format is not the home of general purpose computing, even if the power and battery life is there. Its just not ergonomically conducive. Thus, Apple is targeting those applications and use cases where such a restriction is not a problem. Somehow this translates to singletasking (I said it needs work!)

Just a quick note. Websites running Flash use 50% of my MBP's 2.4GHz C2D power. Strategic gamesmanship aside, I don't see how any netbook or slate currently available would have the power to handle that, with any significant battery life.

 

[FightTheFuture]

lmfao Right back atcha, kiddo!

You might know me as "Macshill", keeping fanboys humble (basically holding a mirror right up to the faces and never letting them get away w/ fanboy hypocrisy) since August 2008 [...if I could remember my e-mail address to log in].

way to show class dude.

the majority of people who buy iPhones and iPods aren't these fanboys you speak of. most of them have never even used a Mac. i find it weird how much your touting a lenovo product and bragging about marketshare when apple beats them in US quarterly sales.

by now everyone who's glanced at the 30 posts you wrote in 2 days quickly put you on ignore.

 

[Mackan]

i suspect this stuff will make it into iPad v2

they want everyone to buy the first one, then they'll update it so everyone will want the next one. just plain business

Yeah, this is the rotten part. I am so tired to have to wait for a 3rd generation of an Apple product before you start getting what you should have gotten in the first place. Always the same ****.

 

[Microsoap]

way to show class dude.

the majority of people who buy iPhones and iPods aren't these fanboys you speak of. most of them have never even used a Mac. i find it weird how much your touting a lenovo product and bragging about marketshare when apple beats them in US quarterly sales.

by now everyone who's glanced at the 30 posts you wrote in 2 days quickly put you on ignore.

Because I'm willing to tell it like it is and not kowtow to the messiah. I'd rather have control of my own mind, tyvm.

 

[Microsoap]

Yeah, this is the rotten part. I am so tired to have to wait for a 3rd generation of an Apple product before you start getting what you should have gotten in the first place. Always the same ****.

+1

Some Apple users are willing to excuse it for this company but not others. Funny, eh? It would have been nice to video chat while sitting or lying on the couch or lying in bed. Maybe they don't want to cannibalize some other market so they purposely cripple it... just like the camera-less iPod Touch.

 

[TitoC]

Apple may have nixed the idea at the last minute because they haven't figured out the most important part: how the hell are you supposed to hold the iPad and video chat on it? Holding an iPad at arms length at head height would get old in, oh, 5 seconds.

Seriously. Anyone? And don't say "a stand".

"A Stand." I'm serious. Just think about it. What are you doing? Walking around all day with this thing in your hand like it's an iPhone? Are you going to put in your back pocket while you go about your day? Are you going to be carrying it around in your iPad belt clip?

No.

You have it lying around. MAybe it's on your kitchen table. Maybe it's in your bedroom. Maybe it's in your living room. You are on the couch with it while you play your games, or check your email or watch a 30 minute show. May be you want to do a chat with someone, you pull out your stand (it looks like it's about 4 inches by 5) from your coffee table, or your suitcase or your jacket and stick your iPad on it. Boom, now you sit in the couch and do your chat. How hard is that? It's a mobile device. It's not a pocket device, so why would you want it to act like one?

People with laptops carry around their charger or their flash drive or any other assortment of peripherals that everyone carries around with a laptop. Why would carrying around a small stand be any different?

So yes - a "Stand."

 

[MacGuffin]

Working on video, were they?

But then they decided to ship a steaming 10" of meh, with lock-in and pixelated upsizing, that evokes everyone's favorite menstrual accessory.

Wouldn't you?

 

[kironin]

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!

You'd need to have a camera you can move away from the frame, otherwise people will be staring at you from unflattering angles.

Exactly, as someone who has used Skype with a video camera unless you can move it away from you, it's very unflattering and most of the time doesn't really add anything to the experience. Recently a training conference moved from just slides to slides and video and frankly it doesn't add much to watch people talking.

 

[nagromme]

For example, why are all my 100+ apps at the same level? Why can't I have nested directories or at least group them with a lasoo or some sort of boundary? I shouldn't have to go to spotlight to find something. The reason is simplicity. Apple is gambling that the simplicity of just having icons on a screen, and that's it, outweighs the "complication" of a hierarchical, ordered structure.

Agreed! About the problem, and the reason behind it.

But remember: the OS is young. It’s evolving fast. It has changed course based on user feedback before, and will do so again. That mess of 100+ apps may get some interesting solutions in OS 4.0. I surely hope so.

 

[JodyK]

iPad - NO iSIGHT CAMERA + NO FLASH + NO MULTITASK = NO PURCHASE !

Long long time lerker ... 1st time poster!

I am so absolutely greatly disappointed with the iPad's lack of what I expect in a "game changer" device that it forced me to finally register here to vent my frustration!

The Flash and Multi task to me is somewhat debatable ... and is only a software update from being addressed. NO FRONT FACING CAMERA is a deal breaker! This is a lack of hardware! Ergh!

I am not a self proclaimed Apple fanboy but I think many would prob label me so having so many Apple devices in my household and my very early adoption of Apple products. With all the hype that has surrounded the iPad I think we def expected a front facing camera. I wanted to be able to leave my 15 inch MB Pro at home on shorter trips and yet connect with the world ... especially my 2 daughter who I would rather see than talk to on the phone (non front camera iPhone at that).

I mean think of the what you could do with the camera and say Skype or a similar app! That would be a true "game changer!"


I am so relieved that I am not the only one. Apple's stock actually dropped!

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2010/01/apple-ipad-stock-market.html

 

[meagain]

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!

You'd need to have a camera you can move away from the frame, otherwise people will be staring at you from unflattering angles.

So what. I just want to video chat with my spouse when he's away on biz.
I'm used to seeing him at unflattering angles.

 

[JodyK]

So what. I just want to video chat with my spouse when he's away on biz.
I'm used to seeing him at unflattering angles.

Agreed! I would love to Video Chat with my wife and 2 daughters aged 9 and 2 ... and them look on the screen and scream ... there's Daddy! I could hold up the iPad and show them where I am at using the 3G or wifi ... I could be at a place with an impressive view or back drop or just at Starbucks!

 

[noahrobd]

New features are added when they're ready for prime time.

What some are saying on here about Apple purposely holding out features as a conspiracy is absolutely absurd. One piece of Apple's formula for making insanely great products is that unlike some companies they never release a product until it's perfect. This means acheiving certain standards and bars (like battery life) as well as implementation. Implementation in how to build the product as well as the implementation on the usability and user interface for the user. If those standards aren't met or a near perfect implementation hasn't been figured out, the product does not get shipped or in some cases it gets scrapped or at least put on hold.

And the same holds true for adding new features to existing products. They may have the capability or technology for a feature, such as a camera, but until they figure out the perfect way to implement it they're not just going to add said feature on. This again is what makes Apple products so great to begin with and seperates them from other companies.

And finally, if they did just slap on features thoughtlessly many on here would complain about how poorly executed said features are.

 

[MacFly123]

i suspect this stuff will make it into iPad v2

they want everyone to buy the first one, then they'll update it so everyone will want the next one. just plain business

I am excited about the iPad, but this SUCKS that they didn't put this in the 1st version, EVEN if Apple likes to make us upgrade later, this was a pretty sad omission!

 

[meagain]

Yet Apple has already mastered video chat with iChat and all iMacs/Laptops have the iSight. So not exactly cutting edge tech for them.

I just want to understand why it's not on the iPad. Battery drain? So what. Plus surely there will be add-on battery packs as is available on the iPhone.
I'm just confused/puzzled about it.

I would just hate to wait a year and 2 months for the 2nd gen.
Well, I'm not. LOL I'll be doing the $499 one for now. Don't need big storage on this.

 

[swagi]

Yawn

Long long time lerker ... 1st time poster!

I am so absolutely greatly disappointed with the iPad's lack of what I expect in a "game changer" device that it forced me to finally register here to vent my frustration!

The Flash and Multi task to me is somewhat debatable ... and is only a software update from being addressed. NO FRONT FACING CAMERA is a deal breaker! This is a lack of hardware! Ergh!

I am not a self proclaimed Apple fanboy but I think many would prob label me so having so many Apple devices in my household and my very early adoption of Apple products. With all the hype that has surrounded the iPad I think we def expected a front facing camera. I wanted to be able to leave my 15 inch MB Pro at home on shorter trips and yet connect with the world ... especially my 2 daughter who I would rather see than talk to on the phone (non front camera iPhone at that).

I mean think of the what you could do with the camera and say Skype or a similar app! That would be a true "game changer!"


I am so relieved that I am not the only one. Apple's stock actually dropped!

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2010/01/apple-ipad-stock-market.html

Not meant personally, just grabbed out your post, because I'm really getting tired of this attitude. If you don't like it, don't buy it.

Face it. Millions of people will buy it. I am also on the verge of buying one - I just want to touch it with my own hands and then decide.

And just to let you know: Ever since I downloaded Click2Flash for Safari, my web experience has gotten better and better. I don't need Flash for the web.

Just stop projecting your wishful thinking as a gold standard. I don't need a front facing camera as I personally think, video calls are way overrated. Never made one, never received one and still survived.

As several people have posted here, a camera in the iPad doesn't make any sense due to the fact how it is used. But just to let you decide, whether it will be a convenient experience, just do an experiment:

Grab yourself a nice and juicy pineapple (should equal the weight of an iPad). Now hold it. Hold it with nearly stretched arms (as you would need to hold an iPad for video calls). Stare at it. Just meditate over the pineapple.

Done for a minute and your arm is geting tired? Hmmm...that may be the reason for Apple, not to ship a front facing camera.

 

[smurfjammer]

Maybe apple will release a camera addon like they have with the iPad Camera Connection Kit or maybe will have support for webcams on the usb one you never you until this product is for sale.

I believe that the camera was left off on purpose for workplace security reasons, currently the iPhone can't be used in security sensitive workplaces due to the fact it HAS a camera and can't be removed easily with the iPad it can be an add-on when needed.

 

[JodyK]

What some are saying on here about Apple purposely holding out features as a conspiracy is absolutely absurd. One piece of Apple's formula for making insanely great products is that unlike some companies they never release a product until it's perfect. This means acheiving certain standards and bars (like battery life) as well as implementation. Implementation in how to build the product as well as the implementation on the usability and user interface for the user. If those standards aren't met or a near perfect implementation hasn't been figured out, the product does not get shipped or in some cases it gets scrapped or at least put on hold.

And the same holds true for adding new features to existing products. They may have the capability or technology for a feature, such as a camera, but until they figure out the perfect way to implement it they're not just going to add said feature on. This again is what makes Apple products so great to begin with and seperates them from other companies.

And finally, if they did just slap on features thoughtlessly many on here would complain about how poorly executed said features are.

I am not trying to flame you but what you said is ABSURD ... do you own a Mac or really any Apple product?

-June 2009 Macbook Pros get a SD card slot - I had that in a PC before I drank the Apple kool-aid 4 years ago! ABSURD

-Macbooks to date NO HDMI options, NO Blu-Ray options (Snow Leopard doesn't even support playback!) A cheap PC can achieve these ABSURD ABSURD ABSURD

-Original Apple 2G iPhone NO Video - I had that in a several Motorola's Nokia's etc. 3 years before the iPhone came out! It had a camera so it was only a matter of software. They had iSight cameras in everything and had ability to do video! ABSURD

-iPhone 3GS Apple's 3rd Gen iPhone with NO forward facing camera - I had a Motorola V3X (Google it!) years ago / European model where video conferencing is something you can do! ABSURD

-iPod Nano gets video but NO still pics? ABSURD

-iPod touch has NO camera at all and Nano has something! ABSURD

"Apple products so great to begin with and seperates them from other companies." -----> Apple TV - EPIC FAIL! ABSURD

Seriously I could go on and on!

By no means am I trying to pick apart and be little Apple as I have a laundry list of Apple products totally into several several thousands! I love Mac and will never go back to Windows! But YES Apple will give their consumers just enough to get you to bite and SLOWLY add a piece here and there to get you to buy and buy again.

Look over any Apple forum and you will see several Mac heads like me who buy new as soon as something comes out and then there is the guy who will hold onto his stuff forever. If I can afford to buy their stuff when it comes out at a premium price for some new little feature Apple knows I will sell my old product to someone ... likely a first time Apple buyer who could not have afforded it at it's new premium price when it did come out. This still increases the Apple brand awareness and builds a larger customer base even 2nd hand.

ANYONE agree? Chime in!

 

[cocky jeremy]

The lack of a camera, multi-tasking and iChat for video chat is why i'm not buying one. Throw those in, even if the video chat is wifi only, and i'm sold. Maybe the second version...

 

[JodyK]

Not meant personally, just grabbed out your post, because I'm really getting tired of this attitude. If you don't like it, don't buy it.

Face it. Millions of people will buy it. I am also on the verge of buying one - I just want to touch it with my own hands and then decide.

And just to let you know: Ever since I downloaded Click2Flash for Safari, my web experience has gotten better and better. I don't need Flash for the web.

Just stop projecting your wishful thinking as a gold standard. I don't need a front facing camera as I personally think, video calls are way overrated. Never made one, never received one and still survived.

As several people have posted here, a camera in the iPad doesn't make any sense due to the fact how it is used. But just to let you decide, whether it will be a convenient experience, just do an experiment:

Grab yourself a nice and juicy pineapple (should equal the weight of an iPad). Now hold it. Hold it with nearly stretched arms (as you would need to hold an iPad for video calls). Stare at it. Just meditate over the pineapple.

Done for a minute and your arm is geting tired? Hmmm...that may be the reason for Apple, not to ship a front facing camera.

I absolutely don't take it personal and do appreciate you mentioned that as you gave your point of view. Please see my rebuttle the same way. Just as you said if I don't like it don't buy it ... that is 100% my plan. The greatest way a consumer can voice his or her opinion is with their money. I would say the same to you ... if it had a camera you wouldn't have to use it if you didn't want too. How about that. There has been alot of commotion over this I think we can agree on that ... yes?

So unless you are afraid big brother or Steve were watching you then I think you would be ok with a front facing camera for what seems like at least half of the people who wants it? The pineapple thing is a little far fetched. I am not looking to walk around holding it up videoing with the world. I am not going to video and drive OMG I can see it now though!

When I am on the road for business short term ... during the day making stops or 2-3 days out of town ... I want the ability to leave my 15 inch MB Pro at home and carry a small beauty like the iPad 9.7 inch and be able to video chat and see my daughters and them see me!

Is that soooo unreasonable? I am 100% a Mac / Apple guy! I don't want to be confined to a wifi somewhere I want to see them on the spot with 3G. MB Air can't do this ... besides the no lid thing is cool and the iPad is smaller. I DO NOT want anything WINDOWS ... netbook ... YUCK! SO where does that leave me ... I want and expect the iPad to have a camera.

I read MacRumors like crazy and think I saw somewhere on here that a camera cmos for I think the 3GS costs Apple something like $3? So I am not sure what you are going to come back with but I think all of America except you and a select few expected a front camera.

THANKS FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION!

 

[baddj]

I believe that the camera was left off on purpose for workplace security reasons, currently the iPhone can't be used in security sensitive workplaces due to the fact it HAS a camera and can't be removed easily with the iPad it can be an add-on when needed.

Very true.

 

[JodyK]

Very true.

Really don't see a device that plays video, music, surfs the web, has a media content deal going, gaming, apps etc. as a sensitive work area device ... and to leave off the camera because of that ... c'mon man that is far reaching!

Shun the wants of millions and millions of people who would say this is a deal breaker for that excuse?