Wristcam Bringing Video Calling Feature to Apple Watch

[MacRumors]

The camera-equipped Wristcam accessory for the Apple Watch is being updated with FaceTime-like video calling, the company announced today.

For those unfamiliar with Wristcam, it is an Apple Watch band that adds an 8-megapixel camera and a two-megapixel selfie camera to your wrist, with the camera able to hold up to 2000 photos or an hour of video. The device connects to the Apple Watch over WiFi or Bluetooth, and it enables hands-free recording.

With the new video calling feature, Wristcam owners will be able to make calls to friends and family right from their wrists. On its own, the Apple Watch supports voice calls and audio FaceTime calls, but as it has no built-in camera, there is no native video calling functionality.

Using the Wristcam app, Wristcam offers watch-to-watch calling with other Wristcam users, or Watch-to-iPhone calling. Note that this is not FaceTime or another native video calling feature -- both parties must have the Wristcam app.

Video calling is available as of today, but Wristcam's website says that users must request "early access" to use the feature. Wristcam is also gaining a new WristcamOS SDK, which will open up the device's camera capabilities to App Store developers.

We went hands-on with Wristcam last year, and found that it's quite bulky for an Apple Watch band, but it can come in handy if you need a hands-free camera option. Wristcam can be purchased from the Wristcam website for $299.

Article Link: Wristcam Bringing Video Calling Feature to Apple Watch

 

[Think|Different]

Let's just say I want something (native) like this – this thing is DOA for the next model, easily. You just don't know, too risky for $299.

 

[k1121j]

Not sure I’m down for the bulk just to do video

 

[DinkThifferent]

Why… why would you want to make a video call from your wrist?

 

[quietstormSD]

Apple just needs to build in faceID with a notch on the watch and we can have this natively. Come on Apple! Notch on phone, notch Macbooks, and now we need a notch on the watch! It even rhymes.

 

[Villarrealadrian]

Apple copying the idea in 3… 2… 1…

 

[3224932]

Holding your wrist up to make a video call feels awkward, and it makes your arm tired. I don’t even like using the watch for calls, because I have to hold it close to my ear to hear it well - especially in loud environments.

 

[kiensoy]

Haha if I’m running I rather take just a normal audio call on AirPods than having to stop my run.

 

[Fraserh02]

The camera-equipped Wristcam accessory for the Apple Watch is being updated with FaceTime-like video calling, the company announced today.

For those unfamiliar with Wristcam, it is an Apple Watch band that adds an 8-megapixel camera and a two-megapixel selfie camera to your wrist, with the camera able to hold up to 2000 photos or an hour of video. The device connects to the Apple Watch over WiFi or Bluetooth, and it enables hands-free recording.

With the new video calling feature, Wristcam owners will be able to make calls to friends and family right from their wrists. On its own, the Apple Watch supports voice calls and audio FaceTime calls, but as it has no built-in camera, there is no native video calling functionality.

Using the Wristcam app, Wristcam offers watch-to-watch calling with other Wristcam users, or Watch-to-iPhone calling. Note that this is not FaceTime or another native video calling feature -- both parties must have the Wristcam app.

Video calling is available as of today, but Wristcam's website says that users must request "early access" to use the feature. Wristcam is also gaining a new WristcamOS SDK, which will open up the device's camera capabilities to App Store developers.

We went hands-on with Wristcam last year, and found that it's quite bulky for an Apple Watch band, but it can come in handy if you need a hands-free camera option. Wristcam can be purchased from the Wristcam website for $299.

Article Link: Wristcam Bringing Video Calling Feature to Apple Watch

Cool hobby project. But 299 is steep! I don’t see the purpose. Not only is it a weird angle, but inconvenient and the person needs to have the same service as you.

 

[Michael Scrip]

Holding your wrist up to make a video call feels awkward, and it makes your arm tired. I don’t even like using the watch for calls, because I have to hold it close to my ear to hear it well - especially in loud environments.

Exactly.

At least with a phone you can set it down and prop it up on something.

Oh... and both parties have to use the WristCam app. Yikes.

Is anyone taking bets on how long this product (or company) will be around?

?

 

[No5tromo]

That's the childhood dream isn't it? ?

Honestly though I'm not a fan of video calls, text me first, call me if it's an emergency, video call me never (alright, only after we have agreed on a video call). I can't really think of a scenario where a video call over my Apple Watch would be necessary or even "nice to have".

P.S. the band is ugly and looks like it would be uncomfortable especially when you wear long sleeves

 

[Thebrochure]

Gotta love people squinting at their tiny little screen, trying to see if the person is smiling at them, or just trying to pass gas lol

Ah... progress.

 

[Macintosh TV]

They've talked about this for years. So silly. No one wants to hold their watch up like that. Folks would just use their iPhone. This company will be gone in months.

 

[jz0309]

Exactly.

At least with a phone you can set it down and prop it up on something.

Oh... and both parties have to use the WristCam app. Yikes.

Is anyone taking bets on how long this product (or company) will be around?

?

Agreed, and in addition, what’s the battery life for this thing and what’s the battery life implication for AW??
I sure hope that Apple will not ever do this to AW…
For me, not only no, hell no

 

[CaptMarvel]

That's the childhood dream isn't it? ?

Honestly though I'm not a fan of video calls, text me first, call me if it's an emergency, video call me never (alright, only after we have agreed on a video call). I can't really think of a scenario where a video call over my Apple Watch would be necessary or even "nice to have".

P.S. the band is ugly and looks like it would be uncomfortable especially when you wear long sleeves

Came here looking for one Inspector Gadget reference. Nostalgia memory in tact!

 

[jeffpeng]

Now all we need is a tiny Magic Keyboard and the Apple Watch is complete. Living in the future is so exciting.

 

[jonnyb]

RyanReynoldsButWhy.gif

 

[everlast3434]

Don't ask, and you shall receive.

 

[kirbyrun]

 

[contacos]

my wrist hurts just thinking about this

 

[ZMacintosh]

watchNotch

 

[beanbaguk]

After a couple of years usage, I’m moving away from my Apple Watch. I can’t stand the constant interference in my day to day life.

When I was out riding, I got calls, messages, notifications. Drove me insane!

When I’m trying to focus on work and slurry of notifications comes in. The vibration on my wrist made the hairs on my back stand up.

The only time I use it now is when I go running, or when I sleep as the silent alarm function is great.

Otherwise it now has all notifications off, all messaging disabled and the rest of my time it’s my Zenith or Heuer.

The fad is over for me. Video calls on our wrists are just another intrusion we don’t need in our lives.

 

[sos47]

next aw has a thunderbolt port and 5k support 🤞🏾

 

[JCCL]

Funny, half the people saying this doesn't make sense good be all over it if added as an official feature (or with an official band)

I like it, very creative way to solve the issue, despite the challenges being a third party solution without Facetime support or any of the more popular video calling apps.

 

[boast]

My arm gets tired using the watch for too long, cant imagine holding it for a video call