Video: Testing Continuity Camera With Belkin's iPhone MagSafe Mount

[randfee2]

Can anyone tell me how to activate this?
Both my iPhone 13 Pro and M1 MacBook Pro are updated to the newest version, yet when opening FaceTime on the Macbook i can’t select to pick the iPhone as camera anywhere. As microphone, yes, but no option on either device seems to indicate this. 🤷‍♂️

 

[SnappleRumors]

In addition, if I would use the iPhone as a camera, I wouldn't be able to use my phone anymore to look something up which actually happens quite often during a zoom call.

While on a zoom call and need to look something up, why couldn’t you just use a different window on your Mac?

 

[Tyler O'Bannon]

I don't really see the benefit of mounting that on a MacBook, that already has a decent built-in camera. That only makes sense when using that desk view (for which there are only very little use cases imo) or if some YouTuber or streamer records himself in high quality/4k.

I really need a mount that fits on my Dell (U2718Q) display - I was waiting for Ventura for so long as I really like the idea of just mounting the iPhone on the display instead of having to use an ugly webcam. But I did a lot of research when Ventura came out and didn't find a suitable mount yet. Did I miss something?

It just comes down to the iPhone camera being even better than anything in any Mac, by a good stretch. And, formpeople
That have Mac and iPhone, now your iPhone is your camera/webcam, no other purchase necessary. I am looking forward to this for a desktop display

 

[Jimmy Bubbles]

Looking forward to the $5 knockoffs.

Close, this one is $10:

Magsafe Compatible, Foldable iPhone Continuity Camera Mount for MacBook Magsafe Compatible 3D Printed - Etsy

This Electronics Stands item by Funca has 69 favorites from Etsy shoppers. Ships from Cedar Park, TX. Listed on Jun 11, 2024

www.etsy.com

 

[ThunderSkunk]

I thought this "Everyone just dangle your phone off your display because we can't afford to spec a decent $10 cam in your $3000 MBP" thing was a joke. That might not be what it is, but it's what it looks like.

 

[BlairMALL]

Looking at this demo, it’s pretty clear that you don’t have to have the mount. You could just place the iPhone on a shelf behind the laptop or even keep it on that snake like holder thing lying around.

I have been using a mini tripod that I already had for my iPhone, and it works like champ. Although, it would make sense to have a mount that is more universal.

 

[BlairMALL]

I thought this "Everyone just dangle your phone off your display because we can't afford to spec a decent $10 cam in your $3000 MBP" thing was a joke. That might not be what it is, but it's what it looks like.

I totally get your response, but having used it, the flexibility of being able to move the camera around w/o the constraints of a laptop is awesome (I use a mini tripod).

 

[Stiksi]

This will make you look better to yourself but is there really a big difference on the receiving end? Most of the time my zoom calls seem low quality because the transmitted quality is nowhere near the webcam quality on the other end. It might be different if you live close to their servers but as for my area, it’s going to another country and back, so there is little benefit to getting a better camera.

 

[BlairMALL]

This will make you look better to yourself but is there really a big difference on the receiving end? Most of the time my zoom calls seem low quality because the transmitted quality is nowhere near the webcam quality on the other end. It might be different if you live close to their servers but as for my area, it’s going to another country and back, so there is little benefit to getting a better camera.

Stiksi, that is a very good point. However, I do find the flexibility of moving the phone for a better angle easier than moving a laptop around. The quality may not show on the other end (some people have remarked on the quality positively), but the flexibility for the user is helpful, IMO.

 

[Stiksi]

Stiksi, that is a very good point. However, I do find the flexibility of moving the phone for a better angle easier than moving a laptop around. The quality may not show on the other end (some people have remarked on the quality positively), but the flexibility for the user is helpful, IMO.

Good point as well. I usually use my iPad for video conferencing and I have it on a tripod for that exact reason. I can work on the desktop and converse on the iPad and move it as needed. But I don’t really ever need to share my screen, so my approach won’t work for those who need to.

 

[rishey]

I love this feature, but the problem I'm having is that when I have it plugged in to my mac via lightning cable while using continuity camera, it says "charging on hold." After my 30 minute Zoom call, i've lost close to 10% of my battery while plugged in. Is this what others are experiencing? This kind of battery drain is a deal breaker for me.

 

[Tyler O'Bannon]

I love this feature, but the problem I'm having is that when I have it plugged in to my mac via lightning cable while using continuity camera, it says "charging on hold." After my 30 minute Zoom call, i've lost close to 10% of my battery while plugged in. Is this what others are experiencing? This kind of battery drain is a deal breaker for me.

The camera can function wirelessly, and you can plug your phone into a 20W charger, and that will charge it up even while it’s being used

 

[rishey]

The camera can function wirelessly, and you can plug your phone into a 20W charger, and that will charge it up even while it’s being used

Thanks for the suggestion but I tried it and it didn't work. I noticed that after battery goes down to 80% from 100%, it doesn't go any lower than that even though it says 'charging on hold' still. very weird. Maybe it's something unique to the iPhone 13 mini which i am using. Apple is looking into it.

 

[Wad12355]

Reckon that using an iPhone as a webcam will kill the iPhone's battery within no time.

 

[Tyler O'Bannon]

Thanks for the suggestion but I tried it and it didn't work. I noticed that after battery goes down to 80% from 100%, it doesn't go any lower than that even though it says 'charging on hold' still. very weird. Maybe it's something unique to the iPhone 13 mini which i am using. Apple is looking into it.

The 80% battery cap is likely the optimized battery charging setting on your iPhone. It lets it discharge until 80%, then holds it there indefinitely. For people that are using this feature a lot, it’ll be better to keep the battery at 80% all the time instead of 100%.

And as for wireless camera use, it definitely does work, I’ve done it a few times now. The iPhone does not have to be plugged in to the Mac. I don’t know which Mac you’re using, but it’s an older one, maybe it does have to be plugged up? Maybe the Bluetooth version has to be 5.0 or above? I’m just speculating, I don’t know all of the requirements for continuity camera to work. I’m on an Intel 16” MBP most of the time, and that is what I have used it with. I have an M2 MBA, but haven’t used it yet with the iPhone camera.

 

[rishey]

The 80% battery cap is likely the optimized battery charging setting on your iPhone. It lets it discharge until 80%, then holds it there indefinitely. For people that are using this feature a lot, it’ll be better to keep the battery at 80% all the time instead of 100%.

And as for wireless camera use, it definitely does work, I’ve done it a few times now. The iPhone does not have to be plugged in to the Mac. I don’t know which Mac you’re using, but it’s an older one, maybe it does have to be plugged up? Maybe the Bluetooth version has to be 5.0 or above? I’m just speculating, I don’t know all of the requirements for continuity camera to work. I’m on an Intel 16” MBP most of the time, and that is what I have used it with. I have an M2 MBA, but haven’t used it yet with the iPhone camera.

The wireless works. I just meant that going wireless connected to the 20v power supply didn't stop the charging on hold issue.

 

[Tyler O'Bannon]

The wireless works. I just meant that going wireless connected to the 20v power supply didn't stop the charging on hold issue.

Ohhhh gotcha. Do you have optimized battery charging turned on? That’s the only thing I know of that will give you the “charging on hold” message. Or maybe continuity camera does that no matter what? I don’t know.

 

[rishey]

Ohhhh gotcha. Do you have optimized battery charging turned on? That’s the only thing I know of that will give you the “charging on hold” message. Or maybe continuity camera does that no matter what? I don’t know.

That's what Apple just asked me to try... Yeah it was turned on but turning it off yielded the same results. Not a huge deal now that I know it won't go below 80% at least. Thanks!

 

[Tyler O'Bannon]

That's what Apple just asked me to try... Yeah it was turned on but turning it off yielded the same results. Not a huge deal now that I know it won't go below 80% at least. Thanks!

That’s interesting. Because even with it turned off, apple is still using optimized battery charging. I do think it’s a positive move though. Some people are going to be using this a lot daily. And constantly keeping the battery at 100% would take a much bigger toll on the battery over time than keeping it at 80%. But still, it’s happening with no control from the user. Very interesting.