iPad Simulator in New SDK Hints at Possible But Unlikely Camera Support

[MacRumors]

One of the major surprises for many people with yesterday's iPad launch was the lack of a camera anywhere on the device. As noted by CrunchGear, however, the iPad simulator included as part of the newly-released iPhone SDK 3.2 contains references to the ability to take photos for addition to entries in the device's Contacts application.

Tucked away within the iPad's contacts application is an "Add Photo" button, purposed with.. well, adding photos. Everyone likes having photos assigned to their contacts, and there's more than enough space on this thing to sync photos of all your friends - so nothing too strange there. What is odd, however, is the prompt that pops up: do you want to "Choose Existing Photo", or do you want to "Take Photo"?

Unfortunately, the reason for the inclusion of a "Take Photo" option in the iPad simulator is unknown, leading to a number of theories. While it is possible (and maybe likely) that Apple simply ported much of the iPhone version of the Contacts application over to the iPad development tools and neglected to remove the "Take Photo" option, more optimistic spectators may be hoping that a camera could be added as a last-minute feature before shipping. Other speculation includes possible plans by Apple to include a camera in the iPad that were scrapped at the last minute as with the iPod touch last year or the potential release of a camera accessory for the iPad.

Article Link: iPad Simulator in New SDK Hints at Possible But Unlikely Camera Support

 

[DAMNiatx]

we can choose any usb camera .
thats goood

 

[amusiccale]

Without a camera, I still can't replace a netbook - it seems puzzling that they would go forward without what seems like such a basic feature now, since the iSight.

 

[gnasher729]

This just means the OS has a call to check whether there is a camera (which will always return "NO" on the iPad), and there are calls that _would_ take a photo _if_ there was a camera. All that code is in the OS because it is needed for iPhones with camera. And when you run the code on the simulator, then it _does_ find a camera and it probably even works

It doesn't say anything about Apple's future intentions.

 

[jciapara]

They need something for the next revision. So a camera is the new and most wonderful feature for you to get rid of your iPad and buy the new one.

 

[JS77]

Now the iPad is finally out, we'll get no-end of "Will it, won't it" feature rumors until they finally add them in the next revisions... the never ending cycle of Apple Hype and Hoopla....

 

[IBradMac]

I could see them purposely leaving out the camera option in the keynote.

A) it's either not that impressive ie; 2 megapixels

B) they don't have it done yet and/or they are going to surprise us with 'oh yeah, by the way, we added a camera for your liking'.

 

[DoktorFaust]

Bandwidth limitations

On possibility is that the lack of webcam on the iPad is largely due to bandwidth limitations for the 3G model. In other words, the idea is to keep the AT&T networks from melting. Obviously a camera isn't expensive nor does it take up much room, so I have a tough time imagining that's the limitation.

 

[theotherguy]

Optional Camera Connection Kit?

Maybe that is what it is for. I seem to remember seeing something about it on the features page for the iPad @ apple.com

 

[NomadicTy]

I really doubt they'll add it at the last minute. Like someone said, they'll probably add it to iPad 2.0 as a "breakthrough" new feature.

 

[Detlev]

...the iPad OS shown is actually the iPhone/iPod Touch OS version 4.0.

 

[LagunaSol]

What is all the grief about the lack of a camera on this thing? I kinda understand the desire for a front-facing camera for video conferencing (not something I want to do, but some may), but if it had a rear-facing camera would you really be walking around snapping photos or shooting video with a 10" slab? Me, I'd be bugged by always getting my fingers on the lens while I'm using it for everything but taking pictures.

I say focus (pun!) on improving the camera on the iPhone and getting a camera into the iPod touch. The lack of camera on the iPad is not a concern to me at all. But Apple better have an updated OS with multitasking before it ships (as well as multitasking on the iPhone).

 

[joemama]

I'm sorry but I have to say people will be turned off by the fact there is no camera. How can you sit on the couch and enjoy all of these wonderful things the iPad does, and not be able to video conference/chat?

 

[danielvd]

Actually I think it´s for an accessory:
at www.apple.com/ipad

Connectivity
The 30-pin connector on the bottom of the iPad allows you to dock and charge it. It also lets you connect to iPad accessories like the Camera Connection Kit and the Keyboard Dock.

 

[senorfrog97]

They need something for the next revision. So a camera is the new and most wonderful feature for you to get rid of your iPad and buy the new one.

This.

It's just a little annoying that you know they had the conversation of a camera and decided to leave it out till the next version.

 

[vettori]

I think it lacks the camera because Jobs emphasized the fact you can turn the iPad in any direction and a camera obviously would have limited that.
To confirm the emphasis apps for iPad are REQUIRED to handle direction changes while for iPod/iPhone is optional.

 

[sishaw]

People, people--a camera's going to be a dock connector accessory. If it becomes popular as an accessory, a camera or cameras will be added to the next version, probably in the bezel area. So obvious!

 

[iOrlando]

I'm sorry but I have to say people will be turned off by the fact there is no camera. How can you sit on the couch and enjoy all of these wonderful things the iPad does, and not be able to video conference/chat?

i dont know about you, but i dont video conference/chat with a camera when sitting on a couch. i hardly even use my macbook camera.

and apple would never just add the camera right before shipping and say..oh we forgot this..here you go.

camera is for later revisions. that is just an apple thing. in the end, it works out.

products that are introduced with every single imaginable feature tend to do worse in the long run compared to products that come out with very minimal features, but see new features added each year.

multi-tasking will be a feature down the road with ipad and iphone and people will look at that feature as a reason to buy a device that would be so much better than the original versions.

 

[navanod]

Personally I think Apple purposely left off the camera. With all the complaining that there isn't one, Apple will come back last minute add the camera and then say we listened to you and added the camera. That way they regain people by making them feel involved with the process. I think it's all planned personally. We'll see.

 

[miknos]

People bashed the iPhone battery life before release. Apple made an statement explaining it has longer battery life than ANY other competitors and still increase it a little more. Let's hope Apple put a damn camera in there.

 

[JnDRader]

Maybe because there's going to be a camera connection kit?

http://www.apple.com/ipad/features/

Features page under the Photos description.

Seriously, nobody actually went to Apple's site and read through the iPad literature they put there?

 

[shen]

first, there is a usb plug camera import option. it is listed in the tech specs i believe along with the keyboard dock. some cameras can shoot live as it were.

second, to those still whining about the lack of a camera....

it is not intended to be a video conferencing tool. get over it. the goal here is to extend the idea that content delivery and purpose-built devices are the future...

 

[Akzel]

Actually I think it´s for an accessory:
at www.apple.com/ipad

Connectivity
The 30-pin connector on the bottom of the iPad allows you to dock and charge it. It also lets you connect to iPad accessories like the Camera Connection Kit and the Keyboard Dock.

They explain that this dongle is used to backup photos from your camera. Either sticking a SD card or plugging directly to the camera USB port. No mention if it's jpeg only or if it will backup RAW files too (unlikely, but would be very cool).

 

[mpleonard]

Well the product isn't really "out" as such. They still don't have FCC approval for it!

Who knows if we will see some more features before release. They still have time to make modifications. You may find it has one hidden in the large bezel when its released.

 

[JnDRader]

They explain that this dongle is used to backup photos from your camera. Either sticking a SD card or plugging directly to the camera USB port. No mention if it's jpeg only or if it will backup RAW files too (unlikely, but would be very cool).

Ahh, that would explain the kit. That will up the interest for the wife.