macOS 13 Ventura Lets You Use Your iPhone's Camera as a Webcam

[_Spinn_]

Desk View looks very cool!

 

[Macalicious2011]

I think this is great. Realistically, the iPhone has a $200+ camera system. No notebook or other computer has that level of camera system plus LiDAR built in.

People should be happy about this.

I wonder what type of Mac hardware is required?

It’s a ground breaking feature and expect content creators to love it. They will be able to use their MacBook as thr viewfinder for the rear facing iphone cameras. Perfect for vlogging and podcasting - especially if it includes the use of the iphones stereo mics. 😀

 

[hagjohn]

How?

You should have learned why in high school science class.

 

[rweiser]

Also helpful if you're using an external display as your primary display plugged into your MacBook Pro. You can look at the external display and not have it look like you're avoiding eye contact!

 

[Return Zero]

Never design for the successful path only. Someone will knock it and pop the screen.

Engineering 101.

You can't engineer for every accident. At some point the user takes responsibility for not doing improper things to their devices. Just because some kludge out there will spill coffee on their keyboard doesn't necessarily mean Apple should waterproof them.

 

[Haiku_Oezu]

That’s cool, I’ve already used apps that do the same thing and was pleased with the result
Having it built in and not having to pay to use all the cameras sounds like a win to me

 

[Robbrag]

This will be great for anyone who uses a non-Apple external display with a Mac laptop in clamshell mode. No need to buy the overpriced Studio Display with its weak camera.

 

[Born2Run]

You should have learned why in high school science class.

You don't have to use it... so you can stop being so scared of the slim possibility that something might break!

 

[Danfango]

You can't engineer for every accident. At some point the user takes responsibility for not doing improper things to their devices. Just because some kludge out there will spill coffee on their keyboard doesn't necessarily mean Apple should waterproof them.

The 1950s would like to remind you of where that attitude leads to

Edit: To note, using the iPhone as a camera is a cool idea due to the positioning opportunities. The bracket for the top of the screen is stupid, poor engineering and reveals a massive product flaw initially: crap cameras.

 

[mrmister]

Danfango is hilarious, it's like listening to a dumbass Rick Sanchez trolling on Macrumors lol

 

[hagjohn]

You don't have to use it... so you can stop being so scared of the slim possibility that something might break!

I'm not scared. I have a Mini, so I won't be using it but it is gimmicky. They should just put decent webcam's in laptops.

 

[Return Zero]

One of the parts of a product engineer's responsibility is making sure that the product is not promoted in ways it shouldn't be used or will compromise the reputation of the device by showing the user how to effectively break it. This was a cock up by Apple.

By that logic... the product engineers should never let the marketers show the iPhone being carried around, because accidentally dropping it is probably the most effective way to break it.

Wait, the last iPhone ad literally showed the phone being abused by a small child. Another one showed it being used on a bike mount in the rain. Were those cock ups, too?

 

[the future]

Apple- "we won't upgrade the crappy cameras in macs, so use your phone instead"

Looking forward to reading this already tired joke hundreds of times on the internet in the next few days. 🙄 Just compare the thickness of the MacBook screen with the thickness of the iPhone … there is literally not enough space in one to have a camera that is as good as the one in the other. Also, the camera(s) have become the #1 reason to buy/upgrade for most smartphone buyers; hence they are much more important (and better) than the camera in a laptop.

No, it isn’t. There are no laptop cameras on earth that would even remotely compare to this. People hook up full on DSLRs to their computer to use as a streaming cam. Why this puzzles some of you is beyond me. This allows for extremely high quality webcam streaming.

This.

I think this is great. Realistically, the iPhone has a $200+ camera system. No notebook or other computer has that level of camera system plus LiDAR built in. People should be happy about this.

Also, this.

I think it's them realizing they put a TON of development in the rear-facing cameras on the phones so why not give them another pretty good use case? Also, most don't update their Macs as frequently as they do their phones so yes, this might be very good for someone with an older Mac that doesn't have the most updated cameras.

Indeed.

Also helpful if you're using an external display as your primary display plugged into your MacBook Pro. You can look at the external display and not have it look like you're avoiding eye contact!

True, too.

 

[Born2Run]

Danfango is hilarious, it's like listening to a dumbass Rick Sanchez trolling on Macrumors lol

I know... I've never heard anyone try so hard to convince people of a non-problem that no one else cares about!

 

[Danfango]

Danfango is hilarious, it's like listening to a dumbass Rick Sanchez trolling on Macrumors lol

Just a very disappointed Rick Sanchez. In the same way as one who really likes that cool band with the immaculate reputation and then finds out one day that they did a cover of The Bird is the Word with a kazoo.

 

[hagjohn]

You already know someone is thinking they can do that with their iPad.

 

[tornado99]

this has been possible for years on Windows and Linux. just saying.

DroidCam (Classic) | Dev47Apps

 

[krigar_b]

A lot of people. I’ve used similar apps to achieve this and the quality is significant. And you can do a lot of the same things on your Mac as your phone, including texting and even using iOS apps now. You don’t have to use the feature. But it’s very nice to have.

Agree. For speaking at conferences or that one meeting where you want to look extra crisp this is great.

 

[Danfango]

By that logic... the product engineers should never let the marketers show the iPhone being carried around, because accidentally dropping it is probably the most effective way to break it.

Wait, the last iPhone ad literally showed the phone being abused by a small child. Another one showed it being used on a bike mount in the rain. Were those cock ups, too?

Having watched my 13 Pro bounce down a large chalk ravine like Homer Simpson off a cliff, and it surviving unscathed I can assure you that their description is sound

 

[tgwaste]

This is great!

What???

Just make the built in camera do this crap. This is the one of the dumbest, clunkiest, things apple has ever done.

 

[2Stepfan]

I like this! Comes for free too.

 

[Enlightened Doggo]

I was wondering when they would support that. People have been doing this with 3rd party software for a while. It's only natural given everyone has these incredible cameras in their pockets now.

 

[Born2Run]

What???

Just make the built in camera do this crap. This is the one of the dumbest, clunkiest, things apple has ever done.

What about people who have Mac minis or Mac Pro's and don't have monitors with built in webcams?

 

[Danfango]

Agree. For speaking at conferences or that one meeting where you want to look extra crisp this is great.

You can add digital noise to sharpen the image if you don't shave for a couple of days.

Also moving the hentai posters from behind you helps.

Actually I'm not sure why I'm even whining about this. I don't need my face to be present at work. There's a big black square with my name in huge letters on it which saves people wondering who the hell I am.

 

[Danfango]

What about people who have Mac minis or Mac Pro's and don't have monitors with built in webcams?

Or those of us with Studio Displays that have crappy built in webcams!