I say both. I like the idea I read yesterday of new iSights that have IR built in for Front Row, ready for Leopard shipping with Front Row.
New displays that have iSight and IR built in too would complete the line-up.
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iSight No Longer Available
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I say both. I like the idea I read yesterday of new iSights that have IR built in for Front Row, ready for Leopard shipping with Front Row.
New displays that have iSight and IR built in too would complete the line-up.
Really? Simply plugging the camera into the mac via firewire, turning the camera on, and plugging the camera into the AC Adaptor (for extended use) is too hard for people? Seriously? Two extra steps? One of which may not even count if there's a full battery charged for the camera? You actually think people who can't grasp turning a camera ON would ever be able to figure out video conferencing with iSight?
Pita? Excuse me.... I guess I'm behind on my acronyms.
Again... I just find it hard to believe that someone (when presented with the facts) would choose an iSight over a multi-use DV cam that does more, is the same size, and substantially cheaper. Remove the tape or else it makes noises? Isn't this just slightly stretching your argument?Well that's for certain! Look... I didn't mean this as a rip on you or anything... I'm just trying to look at this rationally. I'm a sucker for Apple products and design... I even bought their new router just because it's pretty looking and will let me get rid of my ugly US Robotics mess. Did I need it? Probably not. It's horrifically overpriced. But it's the prettiest router out there. The external iSight is pretty, but has been bested by other (BETTER) products. Someone on here mentioned a 'wireless' type iSight. Now THAT's a great idea.... and would totally warrant the "Apple gouge" cost for a webcam. It's tricky trying to give someone a 'tour' using the built-in iSight camera on the Macbooks, since you're always pointing the screen away from you. But then... that's why I just plug in my freakin' Camera!
I see your point, if the camcorder were dedicated and always connected.... otherwise having to grab it, plug it in each time, for many people, is a PITA*.
We just use an old Logitech webcam at home and the only way we'd bother with an iSight now, is if it were wireless - because that would make it much easier chasing the kids around with it, for their Grandparents!
(*PITA = Pain in the arse)
Isight alternative now available
I don't know if this has been mentioned before, but,,,
There is now an alternative the the iSight that works on Macs
I was looking for a camera to use with my wife's newer Mini with Skype.
Saw this little camera called an iMage from picoinstruments.com in a magazine blurb. Figured that I couldn't lose for the asking price of $59. Ordered on Friday night direct off their website, had it in hand by Monday, plugged it in, and two seconds later up popped the message that skype video was now good to use. Brings new meaning the the term "plug and play".
Tested it out - works just fine. Image is typical webcam quality. Now we can Skype from US to daughter in Spain with video. THere is a plug in required to use it with iChat, a download available on their site.
This one is worth a try. http://www.picoinstruments.com/picowebcam.htm
(I tried to do a search to see if thie new product had been mentioned before, but that kinda tough with a name like iMage = image = tons of threads about pictures!)
I don't know if this has been mentioned before, but,,,
There is now an alternative the the iSight that works on Macs
I was looking for a camera to use with my wife's newer Mini with Skype.
Saw this little camera called an iMage from picoinstruments.com in a magazine blurb. Figured that I couldn't lose for the asking price of $59. Ordered on Friday night direct off their website, had it in hand by Monday, plugged it in, and two seconds later up popped the message that skype video was now good to use. Brings new meaning the the term "plug and play".
Tested it out - works just fine. Image is typical webcam quality. Now we can Skype from US to daughter in Spain with video. THere is a plug in required to use it with iChat, a download available on their site.
This one is worth a try. http://www.picoinstruments.com/picowebcam.htm
(I tried to do a search to see if thie new product had been mentioned before, but that kinda tough with a name like iMage = image = tons of threads about pictures!)
Indeed it does work, I tested it myself, but it would look like [pooh] on top of my 30" Cinema HD display.
Sprint deal
OK, how about this:
What if the iSight was withrawn as part of the exclusive deal with Sprint for the iPhone hookup?
My thinking:
I had no interest in an iSight because I really don't care to be seen the way I look in front of a computer monitor- but now that I have my Cinema display hooked up with my powerbook, my buddies can't hear me in audio chat because the powerbook remains shut. It's only been brought up here briefly, but if you are using the built-in camera on the MacBook/Pro, you are pretty much SOL if you have a pricey Cinema display. (Desktop users, the built in camera and mic are in the inside lid of the notebooks, and although the Cinema display can be configured to work with the notebook open, usually the point is to use the display with the notebook shut, thus the USB slots on the back of the display for keyboard and mouse.)
What brought me to iSight was actually because I was looking for an external mic for iChat. Most reviews said the best, easiest quality was from the iSight (although some used some nice cheap USB mics. I have tried with my passive mic and griffin USB iMic, but system prefs doesn't seem to want to accept the new input source, it lists it but just wont make the change) Maybe it just can't get enough input volume.
So I figured I could skip configuration hassles and go with this no-brainer set up, not reinvent the wheel.
Audio Chat would not work for me as a Panther user with Tiger users, so I upgraded to Tiger- for the purpose of using audio chat instead of a phone.
I could also use the camera feature of course- instead of the camera feature on a phone. Or for that matter, instead of sending it as a video on ... AppleTV.
Before I committed to an overpriced eBay iSight, I wondered if I might do better with an iPhone, but I have to wait until June like everyone else.
It makes no sense for Apple to sacrifice the notebook users of its pricey Cinema displays - unless it's to support, protect and promote their new devices, iPhone and Apple TV. The timing of the announcement of the iPhone with the exclusive deal with Sprint coincides with the silent withdrawal of iSight.
If Apple was only planning to replace the iSight with a rev D or better model of convenient external web cam with fine audio quality, they'd only stop selling the revC iSight when they started selling the new model... unless that is what we are looking at with iPhone.
Then again, I just shelled out $355 for a RevC iSight on eBay, so with my luck the new version iSight will be for sale next week...
OK, how about this:
What if the iSight was withrawn as part of the exclusive deal with Sprint for the iPhone hookup?
My thinking:
I had no interest in an iSight because I really don't care to be seen the way I look in front of a computer monitor- but now that I have my Cinema display hooked up with my powerbook, my buddies can't hear me in audio chat because the powerbook remains shut. It's only been brought up here briefly, but if you are using the built-in camera on the MacBook/Pro, you are pretty much SOL if you have a pricey Cinema display. (Desktop users, the built in camera and mic are in the inside lid of the notebooks, and although the Cinema display can be configured to work with the notebook open, usually the point is to use the display with the notebook shut, thus the USB slots on the back of the display for keyboard and mouse.)
What brought me to iSight was actually because I was looking for an external mic for iChat. Most reviews said the best, easiest quality was from the iSight (although some used some nice cheap USB mics. I have tried with my passive mic and griffin USB iMic, but system prefs doesn't seem to want to accept the new input source, it lists it but just wont make the change) Maybe it just can't get enough input volume.
So I figured I could skip configuration hassles and go with this no-brainer set up, not reinvent the wheel.
Audio Chat would not work for me as a Panther user with Tiger users, so I upgraded to Tiger- for the purpose of using audio chat instead of a phone.
I could also use the camera feature of course- instead of the camera feature on a phone. Or for that matter, instead of sending it as a video on ... AppleTV.
Before I committed to an overpriced eBay iSight, I wondered if I might do better with an iPhone, but I have to wait until June like everyone else.
It makes no sense for Apple to sacrifice the notebook users of its pricey Cinema displays - unless it's to support, protect and promote their new devices, iPhone and Apple TV. The timing of the announcement of the iPhone with the exclusive deal with Sprint coincides with the silent withdrawal of iSight.
If Apple was only planning to replace the iSight with a rev D or better model of convenient external web cam with fine audio quality, they'd only stop selling the revC iSight when they started selling the new model... unless that is what we are looking at with iPhone.
Then again, I just shelled out $355 for a RevC iSight on eBay, so with my luck the new version iSight will be for sale next week...
To RachelZ3:
I bet this was just a simple mistake, but the iPhone deal is with Cingular/AT&T not Sprint. While the iPhone with camera idea is nice, I don't think the iPhone is currently set-up to provide a video output from the built-in camera. The iPhone uses the standard 30-pin iPod Dock Connector, which form studying sites that list the pinout signals, video is not one of them. Now that's not to say that apple couldn't rewire the connector so that it would provide video out through say the firewire pins, but currently it's not supported. The iPhone idea is nice, but I expect IR sensors and iSights to be built-in to Cinema displays before the iPhone's camera can be used like a cellphone as a modem for a computer. The built-in isight would allow Apple to set it's displays apart from dell or other ones, while hopefully not raising the price a cent.
Just my .02,
-Brian
I bet this was just a simple mistake, but the iPhone deal is with Cingular/AT&T not Sprint. While the iPhone with camera idea is nice, I don't think the iPhone is currently set-up to provide a video output from the built-in camera. The iPhone uses the standard 30-pin iPod Dock Connector, which form studying sites that list the pinout signals, video is not one of them. Now that's not to say that apple couldn't rewire the connector so that it would provide video out through say the firewire pins, but currently it's not supported. The iPhone idea is nice, but I expect IR sensors and iSights to be built-in to Cinema displays before the iPhone's camera can be used like a cellphone as a modem for a computer. The built-in isight would allow Apple to set it's displays apart from dell or other ones, while hopefully not raising the price a cent.
Just my .02,
-Brian
To write off the need for iSight on the basis that future Cinema display *may* include a camera is a serious oversight and/or greed.
What about folks who have a Mac Pro or Mac Mini who have only just recently purchased a Cinema display, since the iSight was dropped? It's a woeful disservice on the part of Apple to leave these folks with no other option than to shell out big bucks for a new display.
What about folks who have a Mac Pro or Mac Mini who have only just recently purchased a Cinema display, since the iSight was dropped? It's a woeful disservice on the part of Apple to leave these folks with no other option than to shell out big bucks for a new display.
doh! OK, wrong provider. But the point remains the same.
I think you make a good point about the built in cameras being incorporated into future Cinema displays.
I failed to make the point I meant to make: Maybe Apple had to withdraw their iSight because it's function competes with using a phone. Not for the camera specifically, but for the audio.
With users on Skype, iChat etc using FREE chat services, that cuts into the phone provider business.
Another example: Verizon disables the ability to transfer files using bluetooth to my phone- now a Motorola e815. I had a Motorola V710 and was involved in a massive class action suit because the V710 was advertised by Motorola with the ability to use the bluetooth. Verizon wants us to pay for Vcast to download their music instead of transferring files via bluetooth from our computers. The function is there- but disabled. I had to buy a card reader. Apparently thousands of others were ticked off enough to start - and win- a class action suit for false advertising and disabling functions. btw Verizon only had to reimburse the value of the phone, they never stopped disabling the functions.
I have to use hacks just to put my own ring tone on my phone.
What I am suggesting is protectionism. As part of their deal with Cingular/AT&T Apple may have had to withdraw the iSight, which was advertised as :"Made for iChat AV
... Simply open the iSight lens cap and iChat AV automatically launches and lets your buddies know that you are available for video and audio chatting. "
"Audio Chatting" is competition for the phone companies.
Why would a phone company work with a company that is producing technology that could obsolete it? Or rather, wouldn't a savvy phone company negotiate for what would benefit it?
They have to share proprietary information - and money- with Apple, invest with them. Already Apple is exclusive to Cingular/AT&T- that's a heckova concession for a phone manufacturer.
Know any other phones that only work on one carrier?
And this behavior re: iSight is unusual imhe. If the reason was some hazard with the iSight, I imagine Apple would handle it like any other recall, like the battery recall(s). If they were coming out with a new model- they'd be touting that, or at least selling the existing version until they come out with the new model.
But this silent withdrawal with no comment or explanation of a unit that is pretty universally enjoyed, that denies even new notebook/cinema users, some of their top of the line products the ability to audio chat or use the video, as well as the older models - to my thinking there has to be some kind of payoff.
Otherwise, why would you punish customers who just bought a new macbookpro or macpro and cinema display? What are they supposed to use for a microphone or web cam? And notice there is not a single Apple product available for either on their site. You can buy aftermarket mics only.
It was just a thought that occurred me because I am in that exact position now. I like to speak to my friends out of state /out of the country for free. I like to walk around the room without holding a handset and talk, I like to work on the computer while chatting with both hands free. Why should I buy an iPhone if I can get an iSight and do it without signing up with a phone carrier?
December the iSight is quietly removed ... no explanation given...Then the iPhone is announced... even before they settled with Cisco(who was that who had the trademark on "iPhone"?) to be available for purchase 6 months later. I am thinking its all contractual obligation, non competes to the phone provider. Or just Apple recognizing that they would be competing with themselves, wanting to create a stronger market for a phone you have to pay for, and have to use a certain provider, to encourage us to make the investment because its not so easy to chat for free. Maybe the iSight will return 6 months after the iPhone takes off.
I hope I made that point better!
Yes. That's what I think. You can call it greed, but companies are in business to sell their new products. Follow the money.
Getting rid of the iSight would encourage people to buy a new Cinema display if it had the web cam built in, it would encourage people to buy into the iPhone and the Apple TV. Maybe that's the way I should have said it all along.
And then they can reintroduce the iSight- because they never actually officially said they were discontinuing it - 6 months later with a revision D that perhaps works with the iPhone or Apple TV as was discussed before. All to give us new stuff to buy.
Oh and the iSight support page doesn't seem to say anything about anything toxic or hazardous...
Oh and there are options, one of those links I gave showed someone using this nice little web cam that apparently works, for $30. It's fugly though.
It's Rachel - no "a".
The ALL CAPS don't carry a lot of weight, nor does the exclamation point . No need to shout.
I didn't say Apple wanted to stop audio chatTing, just that audio chatting competes with telephone calls. That's pretty basic.
The microphones were built into the "new" macs years before the iPhone existed.
For the point about the new notebooks having built in mics and cameras being the reason for taking away iSight- what are the new desktop users supposed to use? No mic in a macpro.
What explains buying the top of the line desktop and display, a minimum $4500.00 purchase or a top of the line notebook and display, a minimum $4800.00 purchase and not being able to use iChat Audio or Video with an available Apple product?
Or upgrading to Tiger and not being able to use iChat AV?
Every company caters to the customers who buy the new top of the line equipment. That's the only way to stay in business.
Not even considering the older products... and base of customers who have already expressed here their desire to buy an iSight which is expressly designed to use with iChat AV?
What other financial reason, what advantage could possibly be gained by making your best customers buying your newest products look elsewhere for a necessary peripheral to use one of the most popular features of your products?
You say it's to encourage people to buy a new notebook. How does taking away impetus to buy a macpro, notebook and/or a cinema display create a market for a new notebook? And please note what I said at the start- you can't use the built-in microphone when the notebooks are CLOSED, and most of people who buy cinema displays for their notebooks use the notebooks closed. I am a notebook user with built in mic- and I am the one saying I need the iSight. That's my whole point. If what you say was the case they'd wait to have a cinema display with a built in camera to sell to the macpro users and notebook/cinema users before they withdrew the iSight.
i really think theres just going to be an update like a 2-5 mega pixel camera
Yep, they have the opportunity to make that enhancement as well as the others suggested in this thread to sell you a new iSight 6 months after you buy an iPhone....
Does anyone else remember that apple used to make printers? While that was almost before my day, and thus I don't know the exact reason as to why they stopped making them, my GUESS is that they figured other companies that specialized in printers were getting more business/making better products or that the profit margin just wasn't high enough, and so apple knew that the other companies would pick up their slack. The opposite came with MP3 players. Apple stores used to sell various MP3 players, but they looked at what was out there and said that they need to pick up the slack and came up the the iPod, and we all know how successful that is.
By placing them into ALL their laptops and their most popular desktop computer, all of a sudden the iSight became a niche product. The figures haven't been released as to how many mac minis and pros are sold quarterly, I'd put my money on laptops and iMacs each outselling them a lot. The iSight boxes and the original iPod boxers were both the same size, and now the iPod boxes are 1/5 the size, yet the iSight boxes remained huge in comparison. The retail stores are getting as popular as ever, and with sales slowing of the separate product and the space able to be used for faster moving products, they probably just said that there's plenty of other webcams out there, including that fugly one to pick up where the isight left off. Again that would explain why apple is bundling 3rd party camera support into Leopard so that people don't need to rely on Apple anymore. B y this logic Apple won't put them in cinema displays either, but again like I said, I think they will just as an added bonus.
Yes 3rd part cameras don't have all the feature of the isight (iris for privacy, DEFINITE style, ect.) but they still function the same, so just go out and spend less money on a nice Logitech one.
-Brian
By placing them into ALL their laptops and their most popular desktop computer, all of a sudden the iSight became a niche product. The figures haven't been released as to how many mac minis and pros are sold quarterly, I'd put my money on laptops and iMacs each outselling them a lot. The iSight boxes and the original iPod boxers were both the same size, and now the iPod boxes are 1/5 the size, yet the iSight boxes remained huge in comparison. The retail stores are getting as popular as ever, and with sales slowing of the separate product and the space able to be used for faster moving products, they probably just said that there's plenty of other webcams out there, including that fugly one to pick up where the isight left off. Again that would explain why apple is bundling 3rd party camera support into Leopard so that people don't need to rely on Apple anymore. B y this logic Apple won't put them in cinema displays either, but again like I said, I think they will just as an added bonus.
Yes 3rd part cameras don't have all the feature of the isight (iris for privacy, DEFINITE style, ect.) but they still function the same, so just go out and spend less money on a nice Logitech one.
-Brian
I'm pretty sure 'land lines' cut into the profits of the cellular companies, but so far I see no effort to remove them. While I agree with most of your points, the thought of Apple pulling the iSight because it competes with telephone calls is absurd. A more direct comparison would be iChat, which as far as I can tell, is still a major part of Apple's software package. It might be possible in the (near) future for people to use their cell phones to video conference, but given the (ahem) remarkable service of the cellular companies, I wouldn't put much trust into using my cell phone as an exclusive way to do this. Plus, what a pain it would be to have long conversations while I had to hold the phone out in front of me. Quick calls, maybe, but my arm gets tired holding the phone to my ear after extended conversations...
On the subject of infrared, what is the use of fullscreen cover flow. it seems a bit pointless as there is front row and if you dont have front row u cant control yure mac from far enough to not be able to read the song names. Also SJ said that leopard will ship with photobooth and front row, so maybe new isghts with infrared may come at the same time. lets hope they bundle it.
I too am not very happy with the fact i cant buy an isight from Apple. I refuse to pay the stupid amount people are asking for on ebay!
I moved from my PC to a Macpro in Oct'06 and planned to buy an isight from the States as the UK hasn't been selling them since June'06. But then i realized that the states had gone down the same route!
I spent a lot of money on Apples professional range and they are restricting me to just voice chat. Since moving to a mac, i have convinced 4 other friends to buy iMacs. which of course have them built in. So whilst they are chatting away with video, me who introduced them to mac and support their machines cant!
If they release a new screen which i'm sure will have inputs like Dell's and has the isight built in i'll buy it! Or just release an eco friendly external isight!
Apple do something ASAP!....please
I moved from my PC to a Macpro in Oct'06 and planned to buy an isight from the States as the UK hasn't been selling them since June'06. But then i realized that the states had gone down the same route!
I spent a lot of money on Apples professional range and they are restricting me to just voice chat. Since moving to a mac, i have convinced 4 other friends to buy iMacs. which of course have them built in. So whilst they are chatting away with video, me who introduced them to mac and support their machines cant!
If they release a new screen which i'm sure will have inputs like Dell's and has the isight built in i'll buy it! Or just release an eco friendly external isight!
Apple do something ASAP!....please
As I don't want to pay more for a used iSight than what it costed new, I'm considering spending a little over $500 on a DV cam mainly for webchat.
I didn't find anything too cheap with a LED light, so I'd rather spend something more and get a better set of features.
Of course, I don't like spending money on a standard def cam at this stage of the game, but the hidef ones cost quite a bit more and I don't think they work as webcams (or they do?).
I didn't find anything too cheap with a LED light, so I'd rather spend something more and get a better set of features.
Of course, I don't like spending money on a standard def cam at this stage of the game, but the hidef ones cost quite a bit more and I don't think they work as webcams (or they do?).