John Gruber: No Camera on Apple Tablet

[kingtj]

The camera needs to be an option ....

I agree with John here. I think the tablet would be GREAT for video teleconferencing purposes. I was hoping for a version of iChat AV on it, or at LEAST the ability to run Skype with video.

Sure, you wouldn't want to hold the thing in front of you and use it to take pictures like a camera ... but you might at least use it to take self-portraits. That's the "weak spot" with camera phones.

On the flip-side though, the tablet might not be allowed to be used in a lot of workplaces unless it comes in a version WITHOUT the camera - so I think Apple needs to sell it both ways.

I'll be disappointed. I'd like to have the option to use this device for video conferencing. Boooo.

 

[cmaier]

I agree with John here. I think the tablet would be GREAT for video teleconferencing purposes. I was hoping for a version of iChat AV on it, or at LEAST the ability to run Skype with video.

Sure, you wouldn't want to hold the thing in front of you and use it to take pictures like a camera ... but you might at least use it to take self-portraits. That's the "weak spot" with camera phones.

On the flip-side though, the tablet might not be allowed to be used in a lot of workplaces unless it comes in a version WITHOUT the camera - so I think Apple needs to sell it both ways.

They won't sell it both ways - after all, the same applies to iPhone.

 

[kingtj]

re: webcam on tablet

Why would the tablet have to lie down flat? I think it would be FAR more intelligent a design to put a fold-out hinge on the back so it can sit upright at several different adjustable angles (like a photo frame might do).

How many people seriously use the web cam on their laptops? Of those who actually do, how many use it if their laptop was now laying flat. I think this is one of those situations where an accessory would actually be better. Simply have a web cam that plugs into the dock connector and you could lie the tablet flat and still have the camera facing you.

 

[Cander]

Why would the tablet have to lie down flat? I think it would be FAR more intelligent a design to put a fold-out hinge on the back so it can sit upright at several different adjustable angles (like a photo frame might do).

Or a dock. I keep picturing some kind of multipurpose dock. One for at your desk that lets you connect to a keyboard and mouse to use as your productivity tool. Then pop it out of that dock to take to your living room and dock to your TV and use as an AppleTV. Then when you go out or to bed, out of the dock it goes to be used as a mobile surfing, email, games, ebook, and/or media player for bed, bathroom, or travel.

 

[AidenShaw]

Absolutely. That's why there are some trips where I can dump the laptop and only take my iPhone. A tablet would be even better for business trips, but you'd still need your phone unless the tablet would have that (optional) capability, as well.

On the dark side, netbooks are good for the lightweight traveler as well. Able to do most anything that most people would want on a laptop or desktop, but lighter and much cheaper.

It would be a 1+ for the Apple tablet if it could make netbooks irrelevant.

 

[Glideslope]

There will be a Webcam.

 

[Hunabku]

Webcam would be a front facing camera. "Otherwise" would mean an elaborate place of putting or hiding the camera.

yes you're right - front facing is a webcam. Rear facing is what i meant by otherwise. I still strongly feel that we're gonna see the entire LCD/OLED as a camera - makes sense to me and seems within the realm of current advances in CCD, CMOS, etc.

 

[Rocketman]

Radical thought. Think about this rationally for a moment. Apple planned to put a camera in the Nano, its low end device. The chance of NOT including it on its new shiny is zero. Also the cameras are used for a wide variety of things. Example, scanning bar codes for in-store price checks.

No webcam? Sure. Maybe. No camera? Nope.

Rocketman

 

[Poll Smoker]

i think a camera would be nice to have on this thing. but we'll see i guess

Great point!

 

[Lesser Evets]

But I need a camera with it so I can take a picture of me with my iSlate! ... hold on a sec...

 

[Analog Kid]

Cameras are cheap, there's no reason not to include at least one, maybe one front and back. I'm already having a hard time figuring out what this thing is for, but you start stripping capabilities off of it and I just get more confused.

I'd like a camera on my Apple Remote and on my Magic Mouse, please.

The mouse has one. It's looking at your desk.

why are people so adamant about there being a camera?

are you going to take a photo or shoot video with a 10" device?

There's a camera on my 15", 5 pound laptop, and it gets a fair amount of use. There are half a dozen ways I can get a picture into my laptop, but sometimes the built in camera is the one that works best. For the $2 it costs to add, do it.

 

[Eidorian]

It would be a 1+ for the Apple tablet if it could make netbooks irrelevant.

Apple can't do it with the iPod Touch much less a tablet.

The tablet does feel like a cop out to the slim margins of the netbook arena. I've brought this up before.

 

[Analog Kid]

yes you're right - front facing is a webcam. Rear facing is what i meant by otherwise. I still strongly feel that we're gonna see the entire LCD/OLED as a camera - makes sense to me and seems within the realm of current advances in CCD, CMOS, etc.

Ok, I'm going to need a diagram of the focusing system on this one...

 

[jazz1]

No Video Skype-Are You Kidding Me?

My Dell Mini 9 supports this and some people think Apple is going to withhold this? If so then it is more of large iPod Touch than I thought. I could see WiFi only for video if 3G bandwidth is an issue.

Maybe what I really need is an Air to compliment my MBP and iPhone?

 

[jacflash]

A camera on the back would be great for those moments when you're sitting in the cafe trying to look like you're reading and you want to zoom in on that hot babe across the way without her knowing you're looking at her... yeah, I don't know what else you'd do with it either.

But the idea that it wouldn't come with a user-facing camera of some kind seems not quite right.

 

[cmaier]

A camera on the back would be great for those moments when you're sitting in the cafe trying to look like you're reading and you want to zoom in on that hot babe across the way without her knowing you're looking at her... yeah, I don't know what else you'd do with it either.

Windshield mount + HUD/Augmented Reality software?

 

[DaBrain]

Sounds like it may be taking up too much resources to add two-way video chat.

Not a good sign, given all the technology available today. If this device is going to be true multimedia, a camera would be a given. Then one would just plop the tablet into a provided easel stand and skype away with parents and loved ones all across the world via their wi-fi!--)))

Time will tell, but the lack of a simple web cam would not surprise me. Apple as others have stated would then add it to rev b or c.

 

[Rocketman]

A camera on the back would be great for those moments when you're sitting in the cafe trying to look like you're reading and you want to zoom in on that hot babe across the way without her knowing you're looking at her... yeah, I don't know what else you'd do with it either.

But the idea that it wouldn't come with a user-facing camera of some kind seems not quite right.

You know what it will be used for. Those same hot chicks applying make-up without a mirror.

Finally a compelling reason to own an iSlate!

Rocketman

 

[flybynite]

ode to oled

the screen is a scanner,
store your clutter in the cloud.
the screen is a sensor;
gently gesture no need to touch.
the screen is a mirror;
feel it watching. showing. knowing.

 

[anubis]

A camera for shooting photos or videos makes little sense. It would be so much worse than a dedicated device I don't see the point. It makes sense in a phone mainly because of the advantage that you always have it with you. This won't typically apply to a tablet.

I did not see how a camera could work on a machine that will be laying flat on a desk anyway.
There are way too many cameras on things already.
Need to web conference then plug one in...pretty simple.

This and this.

If I want to take a photo of something, and a 10-inch tablet is about as bulky as my Canon 5D and L-series lens, then I will select the one that blasts the other away in terms of picture quality. The last thing the world needs is more crappy pencil eraser sized multi-MP photo sensors in every device you carry

 

[anubis]

Radical thought. Think about this rationally for a moment. Apple planned to put a camera in the Nano, its low end device. The chance of NOT including it on its new shiny is zero. Also the cameras are used for a wide variety of things. Example, scanning bar codes for in-store price checks.

No webcam? Sure. Maybe. No camera? Nope.

Rocketman

Do you honestly think people would embrace walking around with a bulky 10-inch tablet to snap bar codes for price checks? It's not much different than suggesting people do this with their 13-inch macbooks, and I can't say I've ever seen anyone do that.

 

[cmaier]

This and this.

If I want to take a photo of something, and a 10-inch tablet is about as bulky as my Canon 5D and L-series lens, then I will select the one that blasts the other away in terms of picture quality. The last thing the world needs is more crappy pencil eraser sized multi-MP photo sensors in every device you carry

The point is not to replace your SLR. It's to provide video chat/conferencing features for people on-the-road (which is where a lot of purchasers of a tablet computing device are).

 

[paradox00]

Why would the tablet have to lie down flat? I think it would be FAR more intelligent a design to put a fold-out hinge on the back so it can sit upright at several different adjustable angles (like a photo frame might do).

It's simply not something one would expect Apple to do, it doesn't fit within their design principles, but who knows.

 

[modul8tr]

So at this point everything about the tablet has a conflicting rumor.



One rumor would tell you it only makes cookies. Another says brownies only.

Exactly. I suspect Apple's Disinformation Unit has been busy.

 

[Reed Rothchild]

I will be astounded if the iPod Slate doesn't have a webcam. I think that source is wrong.