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what is the point of a front facing camera?

I don't understand this either, I have no use for a front facing camera (I don't even use the camera that is on there now)

Just give me a faster, more storage, bigger screen, higher resolution. Things like cameras and projectors and stuff don't interest me.
 
rtabdo said:
The reason why Apple gets revolutionary a lot is because they do it better than most people.
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The UMTS implementation is no harder to use than making a phone call. Actually I lie, when selecting the contact or dialing the number, you have to press the menu key and select video call. (on my phone, anyway)

I wonder if a future Apple implementation will use what is in the UMTS standard, or will it congest the already overburdened networks with these calls going over the data side?

Will the networks be expected to implement some sort of QoS arrangement to ensure it works as expected? Of course, we won't know until if/when it happens.
 
sorchard said:
The UMTS implementation is no harder to use than making a phone call. Actually I lie, when selecting the contact or dialing the number, you have to press the menu key and select video call. (on my phone, anyway)

I wonder if a future Apple implementation will use what is in the UMTS standard, or will it congest the already overburdened networks with these calls going over the data side?

Will the networks be expected to implement some sort of QoS arrangement to ensure it works as expected? Of course, we won't know until if/when it happens.
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That actually brings up a good point. If At&t was only able to support MMS a few months ago...how the hell are they going to support video chat???
 
hippo206 said:
I would love to be able to see my daughter and wife while on business trips.
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Don't you bring your laptop on business trips? :)

What I am saying is that it's impossible to have iPhone have every conceivable gadget on it.

I want it to WORK WELL as #1 phone, #2 access data on internet.........#100 see someone else's face...

Of course our priorities are all different.

I see front facing camera more for iPad than for iPhone.
 
Why do people complain so much if it has a fornt facing camera or not?
The iphone has alot of features that I dont use at all but for many others it might be a must have.
If you dont like video chat or a front facing camera dont use it.
I dont like or use a unified inbox or multiple exchange accounts either but many others do.
 
I would use it all the time for video chatting with my wife, especially when I'm away on business. And when we have children I imagine it will be even more useful. No, I wouldn't use it on the street; but I don't usually talk on the phone in the street, either.

The revolutionary part of iChat on the iPhone would be 1) that it would be free, using only your data connection and 2) that you would be able to chat not just with someone with a compatible handset on the same network but with anyone who owned a computer.
 
Also, imagine if your iPhone gets stolen (or you lose it, and the finder keeps it instead of trying to return it).
It would be cool to not only track it through MobileMe, but watch from the camera and snap a pic in MobileMe on your computer of who has it.
 
ViViDboarder said:
I'm suprized that nobody has come up with any NON-Video Chat related ideas.

I'm thinking it could be cool if someone wrote some head tracking software. Someone could totally do this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jd3-eiid-Uw&feature=player_embedded

And then you'd have VR 3D! How cool would that be!
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Yeah thats what I was thinking of, I think it will be really smart for augmented reality stuff. I also think nintendo is going to use their front facing camera on their 3DS to do added 3D effects with head tracking, so it would be good for competitions sake. But besides head tracking apps and traditional video chat, think of games, It would be fun to see your opponents reaction when you get them like the Burnout Takedown Mugshot on Xbox 360. In which when you take down your opponent their camera snaps a picture of their reaction and shows it to you as a trophy, there are a lot of fun little uses a front facing camera opens up for developers, so adding the camera to the front will open up lots of possibilities even if no one uses the video chat features.
 
I'd rather them stick more battery in the device than put a camera. I will definitely use a front-facing camera once or twice and never find another use for it.
 
Applejuiced said:
Why do people complain so much if it has a fornt facing camera or not?
The iphone has alot of features that I dont use at all but for many others it might be a must have.
If you dont like video chat or a front facing camera dont use it.
I dont like or use a unified inbox or multiple exchange accounts either but many others do.
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You took the words right out of my mouth. If the new iPhone isn't your cup-of-tea, go buy a Palm or Windows phone. I'd say Android, but I have too much respect for that platform.
 
What I cease to understand is that Apple must know that a large amount of their iPhone customers want a front-facing camera for video calls, etc. yet, they'd rather add a compass (a feature that I don't recall being begged for on the forums, mind you) than add the truly desired video chat.

If at&t's network is an issue, make it wifi only if you have to. The technology is here, and much of Apple's iPhone customer base wants video chat.

When you take out the network capacity issue, and have video chat on wifi, the question begs to be asked, "why can't it be done?" after all, the 3Gs hardware is more than capable of pulling it off....

Just my two cents.
 
theTechnician said:
What I cease to understand is that Apple must know that a large amount of their iPhone customers want a front-facing camera for video calls, etc. yet, they'd rather add a compass (a feature that I don't recall being begged for on the forums, mind you) than add the truly desired video chat.

If at&t's network is an issue, make it wifi only if you have to. The technology is here, and much of Apple's iPhone customer base wants video chat.

When you take out the network capacity issue, and have video chat on wifi, the question begs to be asked, "why can't it be done?" after all, the 3Gs hardware is more than capable of pulling it off....

Just my two cents.
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What makes you think MAJORITY of the iPhone owners want a front facing camera?? Maybe here at MacRumors. I am willing to bet it's not even half of the posters here wants that. I am certain there are other feature people want more than another camera. If a Front facing camera is in such demand then why is it that we don't see this feature more available?

We all have specific wants but Apple isn't just going to put it there because I want it. It will need to reach a critical mass for it to occur.
 
Applejuiced said:
For example?
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I don't care about a front-facing camera and I'm the most tech-savvy person in my group of friends. It's anecdotal, sure, but I doubt the majority of people are going to not purchase an iPhone because it doesn't have a front-facing camera. It's a niche feature request.
 
Applejuiced said:
For example?
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How about just making the current camera a REALLY good one that takes excellent photos and videos. Even better if it has 2x optical zoom!

How about accurate voice to text ability like Android phones?

Better notification system?

If you want to get exotic, finger print security?!:)
 
btcutter said:
How about just making the current camera a REALLY good one that takes excellent photos and videos. Even better if it has 2x optical zoom!

How about accurate voice to text ability like Android phones?

Better notification system?

If you want to get exotic, finger print security?!:)
Click to expand...

They could put a better camera and also add a front one. It doesnt have to be one or the other right?
An updated notification system would be software, dont know about the finger print thing :D
 
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