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iPhone 4th Generation likely to get Video chat - 9to5mac
- Thread starter yodaxl7
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baryon
macrumors 601
Well I know a few people who have some of those phones that have a user-facing camera, and all I know is that no one ever uses that feature, because you have to hold the phone in front of you to talk, and to hear something you have to turn the loudspeaker on or use a headset, which makes the entire thing unpractical. Plus it only works if the other person has a compatible phone, which is never the case of course.
On a computer it makes sense, since you're normally in a quiet environment, and you don't have to hold the device.
On the iPhone, it might be useful for Skype, but I can't imagine it becoming an important feature.
On a computer it makes sense, since you're normally in a quiet environment, and you don't have to hold the device.
On the iPhone, it might be useful for Skype, but I can't imagine it becoming an important feature.
Hello,
I have such a phone (Nokia 3120 Classic) and I have really used that feature a few times. This does not use a data connection but a direct connection between the phones similar to a voice call but at a higher, constant data rate (64 kbit/s in both directions). That means you simply call them by phone number (no IM user names etc). This feature has to be supported by the network operator, which is not allways the case and may be expensive. But the cotract I use (a Vodafone reseller in Germany) offers that for 9 Cents per minute (the same as voice), so I tried it just for fun.
I don't think we will miss too much if that is not possible on the iPhone or iPad. Video quality is very low (similar to early attempts with 'NetMeetting' in the 90s over slow internet connections). There are heavy compression artefacts visible even on small phone screens and the refresh rate is low. The resolution is only 176x144 or something. Voice quality is low because of the build in handsfree function and low quality speaker.
Video conferencing on the Mac using iChat over modern internet connections is lightyears ahead. If they integrate videoconferencing, this would be the way to go. But I think the upload rate is still ab problem. As far as I know the iPhone does not support HSUPA (3G with accelerated upstream), yet.
Christian
b1wils1
macrumors regular
This reminds me of the Porsche Cayman. This is a car that COULD have been faster, and better, and still under-cut the 911 on price. But they couldn't do that or people would buy it, rather than the 911.
Put a camera on the iPad, and suddenly a few more people who'd have bought a Macbook, buy an iPad instead.
The iPad hasn't been put together by a designer. It's been put together by an accountant, and it's worse for it. Skype/iChat with Video would make it a much much more useful device, but for the sake of $10, they've left it out. Even the chassis for the thing will, like the iPod Touch, show it to have the space ready for a camera.
And they culled it.
They're not making the best product they can. They're making the worst product they think they can get away with. That entire iGasm video with Ive etc. is one massive massive lie.
And it's damn annoying, because it's a device I'm beginning to like, but this really is a sticking point.
Put a camera on the iPad, and suddenly a few more people who'd have bought a Macbook, buy an iPad instead.
The iPad hasn't been put together by a designer. It's been put together by an accountant, and it's worse for it. Skype/iChat with Video would make it a much much more useful device, but for the sake of $10, they've left it out. Even the chassis for the thing will, like the iPod Touch, show it to have the space ready for a camera.
And they culled it.
They're not making the best product they can. They're making the worst product they think they can get away with. That entire iGasm video with Ive etc. is one massive massive lie.
And it's damn annoying, because it's a device I'm beginning to like, but this really is a sticking point.
SteveSparks
macrumors 6502a
donlphi
macrumors 6502
Accessories, Accessories, Accessories
Apple is going to do what they have done with their devices for years. They'll give you the plain-Jane iPad w/ no bells or whistles. Then they'll sell a separate camera, which they will justify by saying, not everybody wants a camera. Then later on down the road, they'll offer one with a camera for the same price and justify it by saying they've added a feature and people don't have to use it if they don't want to - "Same Great Price... Yadda Yadda Yadda".
🙁
Apple is going to do what they have done with their devices for years. They'll give you the plain-Jane iPad w/ no bells or whistles. Then they'll sell a separate camera, which they will justify by saying, not everybody wants a camera. Then later on down the road, they'll offer one with a camera for the same price and justify it by saying they've added a feature and people don't have to use it if they don't want to - "Same Great Price... Yadda Yadda Yadda".
🙁
Friscohoya
macrumors 6502a
Friscohoya
macrumors 6502a
Agree completely. While I probably wouldnt use it initially, if I could have conference calls where others could see my desktop then this thing would be one of the most important business tools in 2-3 years.
you forgot to say why the other IM apps wont over take sms usage but apples will? not trying to argue with you but simply say it wont exist dont really add to anything. I also gave a solution against your apple Im app overtaking native sms.
very true indeed 😎
eoin3-
macrumors regular
A few people have mentioned they thought a front facing camera would be awkward or impractical. What about some simple facial recognition software to track and focus on the users face while in chat mode so that you can move the ipad around a bit and still be seen by the camera. I've seen some point and shoot cameras with this feature and multiple focus points so that it can detect the shape of a few faces and extrapolate the optimum focus for the scene.
And of course you would be able to see a small picture of yourself in the corner of your screen for framing purposes.
And of course you would be able to see a small picture of yourself in the corner of your screen for framing purposes.
lorkkrue
macrumors newbie
Casiotone
macrumors 6502a
Am I the only one that can't see these .png on my Mac? (The ones found inside the SDK bundles).
I think it started with Snow Leopard, some .png files are not showing in their icon previews, nor in Quicklook, nor when I open then in Preview. They all appear as totally blank transparent images. I think it applies to greyscale .png with an alpha channel, as I can see color .pngs just fine.
I think it started with Snow Leopard, some .png files are not showing in their icon previews, nor in Quicklook, nor when I open then in Preview. They all appear as totally blank transparent images. I think it applies to greyscale .png with an alpha channel, as I can see color .pngs just fine.
Friscohoya
macrumors 6502a
They are re-encoded to a non-standard PNG and is compressed. There are some quicklook plugins that allows you to view them.
eoin3-
macrumors regular
gibbz
macrumors 68030
That would be an amazing feature to have.. and even if I never used it which most likely would, I would love to see the implemented in the new phone.. they also have pictures I believe of the casing of it with an extended top to it. rumor if picture is fake or not, let us see.
Warbrain - They will ship a lightweight plastic mirror with the iPhone.
This will allow users to get a reflected view of their caller although sunny days may be problematic.
This will allow users to get a reflected view of their caller although sunny days may be problematic.
SeanMcg
macrumors 6502
A penny for my thoughts is excessive compensation, but...
Until the iPhone, I never heard about anyone REALLY wanting video chat on their phone. It doesn't have it, and people are annoyed for some reason. (I've come to expect that here, though.) Interesting how the iPhone's (perceived) weaknesses are pushing tech forward by creating demand.
I don't see video chat being offered until LTE is in place in the US, unless it is Wi-Fi only. The bandwidth isn't there, otherwise. Until then, Apple can get ready for it in the SDK.
I see one potential pitfall, though. Driving while using a cell is bad enough, but give people the option of video chat 😱
Until the iPhone, I never heard about anyone REALLY wanting video chat on their phone. It doesn't have it, and people are annoyed for some reason. (I've come to expect that here, though.) Interesting how the iPhone's (perceived) weaknesses are pushing tech forward by creating demand.
I don't see video chat being offered until LTE is in place in the US, unless it is Wi-Fi only. The bandwidth isn't there, otherwise. Until then, Apple can get ready for it in the SDK.
I see one potential pitfall, though. Driving while using a cell is bad enough, but give people the option of video chat 😱
Shasterball
Suspended
"We're told that there are hooks to accept and decline a video conference, flip a video feed (which suggests a front-facing camera) and -- most importantly -- run the video call in either full screen mode or in just a portion of the screen. That means you'll be able to chat and do other things at the same time, which could mean there's at least some type of multitasking going on here."
I don't think so. I think it would be a dedicated iChat. You can have full-screen or part screen there -- possibly to help deal with limited bandwidth issues.
I don't think so. I think it would be a dedicated iChat. You can have full-screen or part screen there -- possibly to help deal with limited bandwidth issues.
bacaramac
macrumors 65816
I think this is one of the biggest misses for the iPad. A front iSight would have made an iPad perfect to replace my Mother's HP Mini Netbook. We use iSight all the time to chat with her and the grandkids. Although I will still pick up an iPad for other uses, I really think Apple should have held off and put the iSight in there.
I think there is plenty of evidence show they were at one point working on it, but for some reason held off. Here is to waiting for 2nd Gen iPad and putting 1st gen on eBay when the time comes.
I think there is plenty of evidence show they were at one point working on it, but for some reason held off. Here is to waiting for 2nd Gen iPad and putting 1st gen on eBay when the time comes.