Apple is scheduled to hold a special media event tomorrow on the eve of PhotoPlus Expo.
“This being the PhotoPlus Expo, one would think along the lines of photography or a Pro announcement when contemplating Apple’s next move. While I do believe that Apple will be bumping the Power Mac and portable lines, I also think there will be a new product announcement. While esteemed colleagues around the Mac web are leaning towards software, my mind is thinking more along the lines of hardware; I predict that Apple is going to come out with a digital still camera. Not just any digital still camera mind you, but one that is completely integrated with the recent products to come out of Cupertino,” michaelangelo writes for AppleXnet.
“What would the specs on this camera be? No clue, to be honest. If Apple was to do it, it is doubtful they would go low-brow. It should be at least 5 megapixels, have 64MB of built-in storage, and the iPod nano rechargeable battery. An 8x optical zoom with a 12x digital zoom would round it out nicely,” michaelangelo writes. “While there is no way to tell if Apple really is coming out with this product until tomorrow, I would not be completely surprised to see it. Every product lately has been an extension of the digital lifestyle on which Apple has a stranglehold, and this product would be a logical extension of that. If asked for the odds of this happening I would say that they are decent. Keep an eye out for it, because if it doesn’t happen tomorrow, it may happen soon.”
This article is speculation, as the author states, but it is an interesting read. Full article here.
Advertisements:
The New iPod with Video. The ultimate music + video experience on the go. Buy it now at the Apple Store. From $299. Free shipping.
The New iMac G5 – Built-in iSight camera and remote control with Front Row media experience. From $1299. Free shipping.
Related articles:
Apple special event to unveil ‘latest pro innovations’ happens tomorrow – October 18, 2005
RUMOR: Apple to debut new PowerBooks, Power Macs this month – October 14, 2005
That’s really a wild ass guess. Not even a chance!
Apple cameras? No way.. why would Apple bother with a market that is well-served with excellent products which work well and already integrate seamlessly with iPhoto? It is not a market in which it can gain a distinct and obvious advantage, which has been Apple’s strategy to-date.
Drivel…
Apple will introduce its version of Adobe Photoshop aimed at photographers.
An Apple digital camera? Yea right…
If apple made a camera, why give it any storage? Have the shuffle plug into it – or the nano? In some cool way of course.
Nope – not gonna happen. THis guy just wants to be the one who ‘Started the Rumor’.
If apple were ever to devise a camera, they’d implement it into the iPod.
I doubt it, Apple already tried this market out in the 90’s. And that was when the Camera Market had 0 expectations, it’s much more cut throat now.
The camera must always be as small as possible with the most megapixels available, I don’t think apple has the time to allocate a project like this.
But that’s just me.
that would be cool if it happened. but all these innovations one would have tothink what they are goign to put into the ipod next…
we have music, photos, calendars, movies…. i bet the next thing will be bluetooth and perhaps internet capabilities…
i doubt they will put a am/fm radio in there. that pretty much defeats the whole podcast phenomenon… anyones thoughts?
yeah……. QuickTake 300! I still have and old 200 in the box
About ten years ago, didn’t Apple make a digital camera called the Quicktake 100 (or something like that)?
Or am I hallucinating again?
imho, this guy’s way out on a limb on the off chance that he predicts the unpredictable and get’s it right … then he’ll be the famous Apple prognosticator
my predictions … New PowerMac (only 1 truly new model), new PowerBook (again, only the top end vastly improved), and iPhoto Pro
ridiculous
The only advantage apple would have in bringing a camera to market is connectivity to ipods built in. any other camera can do it but it requires a 20 dollar adaptor. that doesn’t seem like a big enough advantage to apple.
the digital camera market is well served already. current models are easy to use, offer good features and resolutions that are approaching and surpassing film. i would bet most people can’t even tell the difference between a 5 megapixel photo and a 10 megapixel photo without zooming in.
I just don’t see any point to it. Unless they stop working on iPhoto’s compatibility with all other manufacturers, in which case I would be so goddam pissed off I might go to linux. It would be totally sneaky and underhanded. iPhoto, and the mac, are sold as solutions to my digital lifestlye, if that solution broke there would be a revolt.
Tomorrow is meant to be a pro event. A digital camera with a built in lens is a consumer device. Canon, Nikon, et al have excellent digital SLRs for the pro market that work well, are reasonably priced, and integrate well with other products.
For the “photography related announcement”, I wouldn’t be surprised to see a pro version of iPhoto on the software side. For hardware, I predict (hope for) a line of cables and a software update for iPods that will allow digital cameras to download to iPods in the field. That would simplify existing solutions, appeal to professionals, and increase sales of iPods. Seems a very Apple thing.
MW “too”: I can make wild guesses, too.
There isn’t going to be an Apple digital camera. The big release will be new photo editing software. Apple Photo Pro.
I think they’ll be introducing a new digital telescope. 200x optical zoom, unlimited digital zoom (as RAM permits). This will be integrated with the new iHubble space photography software. The Cosmos screensaver clearly shows that this is where SJ is headed.
Maybe a new version of iSight that can plug into an iPod and be used as a video camera….
If Apple were to have a camera-like device (as if Apple would ever enter an already bloated and unimaginative market) they would probably have added it onto the new video iPod.
Apple always is a step (or two or three) ahead of the current market of mediocrity. A camera? I think not.
Digital camera???? Gee, I thought Apple had been there, done that, years ago? (QuickTake 150 I think it was)
Worth a quicktake
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_QuickTake
Why bother with a digital zoom – makes no sense, just crop in iPhoto it is the same thing.
Apple was able to have a hit with the iPod because the competition wasn’t that good.
Cameras are totally different. There are great cameras in various price ranges and there is also intense price competition – something Apple doesn’t play with.
For the pros there is a need for significant improvements in the PB and PM ranges and I think these will be the most significant announcements.
On the software side Apple might come up with an app that will improve on iPhoto’s ability to work on a picture, but it probably won’t be up to Photoshop Elements, much the full Photoshop.
Personally I look for dual cores in the PMs and the PB moved up a reasonable amount. I would like to believe that Freescale has delivered the dual core G4 chips to Apple for the PBs, but there is too much history of not delivering by Moto/Freescale to put money on it.
MDN, give your head a shake!
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”shut eye” style=”border:0;” />
APPLE WILL RELEASE A NEW NEWTON!!! With the end of palm OS on the horizon, there will be no compatible hand held computer on the market. THIS IS THE NEW WORLD!!
An Apple digi-cam? Uh, no.
Camera… then it ought to have a 007 appeal pretty small and include a keyring, or be snapable to a watch or a wedding ring, or even a Mont Blanc pen with a camera. In other words that pretty unrealistic.
If photo related item will be released from Apple, my 2 cents will go for a cute Photo Pro software.
Bollocks
I agree that the chances of a digital camera are small, however there may be a niche for an all in one video and still camera with an ipod dock instead of a tape or disk slot. If you could record direct to a video ipod, and playback on the ipod screen, and integrate nicely with a mac for itunes and ichat, then maybe, just maybe Apple may have something. It would certainly make the video ipod seem more useful.
OR….
Waybe its an apple brand cash clip that attaches to your ipod so you no longer need to carry a wallet. Its called the Iwad.
OR….
A small golden statue of SJ called the Igod.
OR….
Apple brand fish restaurants … yes, you’ve guessed it…. Icod.
No way. Way too saturated a market.. who cares for an Apple camera?
Dumb idea..
Apple will be introducing their own retroscope projector.
(For those of you old enough to remember Tom Swift)
Apple needs to make their own still cameras as much as they need to make their own hard drives. Apple only tackles the issue if there’s no decent existing solution AND there’s $ to be made (eg, mp3 players, webcams, FCP, retail outlets, etc). As stated above by others, the existing products already work well and integrate nicely with iLife. Also, the profit margin of digital cameras is probably thinner than the nano. I think it’s more likely for Microsoft to give away Windows before such a fantasy comes true.
MW: could. They could, but they won’t.
I can see a camera only if it has some crazy new feature nobody saw coming or thought of….
lolol
That is more like it! Rumor and speculation on the eve of a product announcement! Now I feel like an Apple fanatic.
That said, I have to disagree. This is a “Pro” product announcement and unless Apple plans to change the way professionals take pictures, I think this has more to do with software and new laptops. I think Apple may release a Photoshop slayer. They certainly have shown they are capable.
Digicam makers are going broke as competition drives prices through the floor.
Too many camera out there. You buy a camera for the lense, ease of use or special features. What can Apple bring to the table.
Perhaps something to do with Eye TV
Hank got it right (see above) – new pro software like Photoshop.
Also see:
http://www.thinksecret.com/news/0508adobe.html
This guy has’nt a clue!
5mpixels??
WTF???
You can currently buy a 9mpixel digital camera for £245!!
If Apple does make a camera it will at least be 10mpixels!
This guy’s a hack.
His quote:
Not just any digital still camera mind you, but one that is completely integrated with the recent products to come out of Cupertino
Uh – all digital cameras are completely integrated with apple software……
I’m in the Photoshop killer camp.
Hey, Gackle: Given that ThinkSecret made a complete total ass of themselves by insisting that the video iPod wasn’t going to happen (how many big things in a row have they missed now?), why on Earth should any of us pay that site the slightest attention?
Anyone who thinks digital zoom is of any use knows squat about cameras. Take it from a pro. There is no way Apple will introduce a camera – or Photoshop competitor for that matter – tomorrow.
Dual processor, dual core G5 processors on a high end PowerMac, and a laptop or two running at 1.7 GHz at a minimum.
Cameras. Yeah, right. Maybe a high definition video camera. I could see that.
It’s a USB powered inflatable woman for the geek set called the iGal. She will self-inflate and include force feedback.
Total and absolute bunkum…
Firstly, tomorrow’s announcements have 10% of bugger all (an English expression meaning “nothing”) to do with the PhotoPlus Expo: Apple are not even exhibiting at this show, a fact that would have been obvious after even the most nominal of research efforts.
Apple DOES have a major show presence coming up, with Music Player Live (Crowne Plaza, NYC – where they have their own pavilion) between 21-23 October, before attention moves to Europe and Mac Expo 2005 (to all intents and purposes, an unofficial Macworld for the UK market and the last dedicated Apple exhibition of the year) between 27-29 October and then back to NYC for NAB Post in November and a 600 square foot stand.
So you might see the so-called Photo Pro, but then again you might see ‘Asteroid’ finally break cover – but a camera is about as likely as me becoming George Clooney’s body double.
Wrong Lord Robin. The night before the even, ThinkSecret changed their prediction and pretty much nailed it. Of all the rumor sites, they have the best record for getting it right.
Stupid speculation. Apple is not going to get in this business. It is too entrenched and doesn’t need Apple’s magic.
It’s hardware and a new photo app or two.
Hey – pass that joint over here and light another one…
…Pfffft.. Ahhhh…
…A camera…. heheh heheh
An Apple digital camcorder with a direct iPod connector for instant video podcasting would be cool as all get out.
also on the agenda:
Apple is entering the shoe market. the iRan will feature a product launch by flock of seagulls and as the author of the above article suggests, it WILL integrate with apple’s current line of products with a port for your iTunes that will not only function as an mp3 player when you run, but will also be a pedometer.
hey, as long as we’re throwing out wild guesses…
It will be software but it WON’T be like photoshop. For apple to go head to head with Adobe would be crazy. Adobe’s Photoshop is too embedded in the industry.
What is a much greater chance is an all in one digial image management program. THIS is where the market is sorely lacking and what professional photographers most want. An image management program that does everything except precise editing but works seemlessly with photoshop to do everything that photoshop doesn’t do (or does poorly, like image browsing, mass editing, contact sheets, album design, etc..).
“Anyone who thinks digital zoom is of any use knows squat about cameras. Take it from a pro. There is no way Apple will introduce a camera – or Photoshop competitor for that matter – tomorrow.”
Eric, I agree that digital zoom should be a dirty word. However Panasonic’s ‘Extended Optical’ and Nikon’s D2X HSC mode are digital zoom done right.
As for the 12x zoom the author has hinted at that would give around the same number of pixels as an itunes movie, just 0.0347222 of a Megapixel or 213 x 160.
At 300 dpi that gives an image only 2/3″ wide!
Does anyone want to talk about camera shake now?
Furthermore there is a desperate need for a product that works in a similar fashion to ACR and Bibble but with Backup and cataloguing features all rolled into the one app. Apple could be aiming at filling this hole.
I’ll buy;)
I’d like to see iPhoto work a little more like ACDSee does. As a photo management app, it’s weak. Using it makes me wish ACD didn’t leave the Mac market… but with Apple giving away a good-enough competing product for free, I wouldn’t want to waste money developing for the Mac either.
So… ACDSee abilities for iPhoto is my hope.
I’d like to see iPhoto work a little more like ACDSee does. As a photo management app, it’s weak. Using it makes me wish ACD didn’t leave the Mac market… but with Apple giving away a good-enough competing product for free, I wouldn’t want to waste money developing for the Mac either.
So… ACDSee abilities for iPhoto is my hope.
I’d like to see iPhoto work a little more like ACDSee does. As a photo management app, it’s weak. Using it makes me wish ACD didn’t leave the Mac market… but with Apple giving away a good-enough competing product for free, I wouldn’t want to waste money developing for the Mac either.
So… ACDSee abilities for iPhoto is my hope.
If this has any base at all maybe an updated iSight with the same specs as in new iMac, maybe its smaller and easier to transport for us Powerbook users.
Apple releasing a camera to compete with Nikon, Canon, Olympus etc, all the big camera brands. Is as dumb as Creative, Rio, iRiver etc competing with Apples iPod.
Everyone should stick to what there good at. We all can’t do everything. Teamwork. Apple, Dell, etc. makes the computers, Nikon or Canon etc. makes the cameras, Epson, Agfa, etc make the scanners, blah blah. Put em all together and you have a niffty little set up.
“The invitations were black and contained an image of a large camera lens”
http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=1331
The announcement will be for a new version of Final Cut, and that old incomprehensible SONY guy will be on hand to show off their new videocam that shoots H.264-compressed QT movies that are ready for the iPod right out of the camera.
Foolish and unnecessary to take on Photoshop or build a camera.
Apple is not bringing back the QuickTake.