Dupree points to “some pretty definitive evidence that future iPhones and iPads will have video chatting capability… Icons were found in the 3.2 SDK which seem to indicate that there will be video calling on a future iPxxx device.”
Also, Dupress reports, “Hidden in some of the underlying iPad telephony apps are some VideoChat strings that are equally, if not more, telling evidence of future VideoChatting capabilities… Also, we’ve found some references to ‘iChat.'”
Full article, with screenshots, here.
I think realistically this was always going to happen. It’s just a matter of when. And also when AT&T;are able to handle that much data.
Tester
Number one disappointment with iPad is lack of video chat according to post-intro reaction, mine included. If it ain’t on first gen, many r going to wait for 2nd gen. I’ve been on a Mac for 8 years and have yet to use iChat for video chat cuz everyone I know uses Windows IM. I hoped iPad would finally change that with mass adoption!
Its obvious that its AT&T;and other telecoms that is the hold up here.
Its obvious that its AT&T;and other telecoms that is the hold up here.
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Not true, Apple could enable the feature for use on Wifi only.. Problem solved.
“on a future iPxxx device.”
Not going to be a iPxxx. At least after this weekend’s purge.
“future iPxxx device”
iPxxx? That’s why Apple is banning porn from the iPhone. They want to deliver a special devices just for porn.
@ Cubert – Not going to be a iPxxx. At least after this weekend’s purge.
One more thing… the new Apple iPrude!
Surprise, surprise.
More reason to wait for the 2ndGen iPad. I refuse to reward Apple for their lazy effort with the first.
How many people actually use video chat, besides gandmothers and all the whiney nerds on MDN?
@ R2 – It seems like we only see you angry or annoyed or frustrated about something. I do hope there’s at least something in life you can relax and enjoy. I recommend watching beautiful sunsets.
The problem I see with video chat on the iPad is the angle. Imagine it sitting on your lap and you looking down at it. Your chat partner will see an up shot of your face. Just seems awkward. Holding it up and in front of you would get fatiguing. I’m just not sure there’s a great way to do iChat on the iPad, other than maybe setting in on a stand on a table. I don’t use iChat on my macBook or iMacs but rarely. So far, it’s just something I can live without.
@R2
Wow, Apple’s “lazy effort” is what you call it? i guess the first iPhone was a lazy effort as well, since it lacked so many things that are absolutely required in a smart phone. They probably didn’t spen much on R&D;on either product. Lazy jerks!
I for one hope there is never a built in front facing camera on the iPhone. I use my iPhone as my digital camera, and can’t imagine how I would take photos with a front facing camera. Unless there was another screen on the back of the iPhone for composing photos, and I shudder to think of what that would add to the cost!
I think a front facing camera add-on that would plug into the 30 pin connector, and could be used on iPhone, iPod touch and iPad is a good idea. If you want video chat, you could buy the add-on and enjoy yourself. If you don’t want video chat continue on as you were.
I don’t think video chat on an iPad is a good idea. Holding a 1.5 lb device at face level to conduct a video chat is going to get to be an ache in the shoulders quickly. The alternative, with it sitting in your lap while you talk, isn’t going to provide very flattering images. And if you’ve got to have it docked and sitting on a desk to conduct a video call, why not sit at a desk and use your computer?
At the iPad introduction presentation, Mr Jobs said Apple wanted the iPad to do things better than either a smartphone or a laptop. I don’t think the iPad can do video chat better than a laptop. And I don’t think it can take better photos than a smartphone. So IMHO – the iPad does not need a camera.
I agree, I never use video calling and don’t know anyone who does or would want to. Maybe to family once in a while but we have Macs for that. I doubt I’ll ever notice the lack of a camera on the iPad. I will however notice the lack of beloved Leopard features like dictionary lookup and custom style sheets.
I don’t need or even want video chat on a mobile device. They would not work as well as they do the the movies because the cameras would be shaking all over the place; vomitous to watch.
I do love my iChat at home, though.
If the ipad had a front facing camera… I’d assume most like me would have one hand under the device which would bring it up at an angle and the other hand to type with it. I couldn’t see myself laying this thing just on my lap without holding it.
@confused,
I use iChat all the time for all different things. My wife and I are about to have a baby and both of us have relatives who live all over the world. I use it to chat with my brother and my parents who are 200+ miles away, all the time. I have also used iChat to virtually attend my classes at school when I was home sick. Finally, I have used iChat to solve major technical issues with my Mother-in-Law’s mac because I didn’t have time to go to her house.
Just because you don’t have much use for something, doesn’t mean that others don’t. Not trying to start a flame war here, just make a point. I hope video chatting will come to the iPad/iPhone at some point and I’ll figure out a way to make it work if Apple has not already done so.
-MG
also…
I wont be shocked if its a device that just plugs into the iphone or ipad.. or touch.. and I know its pretty shaky but they could put in some kind of stabilizer inside the little connecting device.. Apple is already going to be selling.. or is selling the plugin device for an SD card.
I echo what iMaki said but only for the iPad. I do not care to have it for the iPhone.
I looked at the screen shots referred to in the article. How 9 to 5 Mac arrived at the conclusions they did is beyond me. It’s not clear that any of what they showed had anything to do with the iPhone, iPod touch or iPad.
I’ll believe it when I see it. You should too. Don’t believe all the breathless rumors you read.
Strange how many people here haven’t ever used (or rarely ever use) video-conferencing software (Skype, iChat)… In my case, I’ve been using iChat since it was iChat AV (I believe this was in 2003), and have been using it practically daily since then. It would be difficult to go through my life without it. Since the introduction of Tiger, I’ve been using multi-party iChat as well (not every day, but every other day, or at least every week), between collaborators, as well as family (usually New York – Bruxelles – Belgrade – Beijing, all at the same time). The tool works flawlessly and provides significant improvement in quality of life and work.
and to Apple Fan!
As for front-facing phones, you must be living in the US. Elsewhere in the world, they have been available for at least five years (since the widespread introduction of 3G). All over the world, carriers have been offering for years video-chatting mobile phones (in addition to live TV over 3G). They have rather low market share, but they’re there and those who own them tend to use them. Many times have I seen people on the streets of London, Paris, Budapest, even Belgrade, holding up their mobile in front of their face and talking to someone. I have yet to see a person do that in Manhattan (and I live there)…
It is about freaking time some made the point about how awkward it would be to use to the iPad for video chatting or photos. Thanks Apple Fan and Mac Rick. I agree with you. I do not think the iPad needs a camera, front or rear facing.
I am surprised as well about how few people use iChat or Skype. I somewhat understand the lack of knowing other users but at the same time you link iChat to other chat clients like AIM, Googletalk or even Yahoo. Of course a lot of us also use Adium.
Predrag is right. People in the US almost never do video chatting with their cellphones because many phones don’t have the capability. But it is big in Asia and im surprised to hear its big in Europe. I know in Korea and Japan many phones have 2 cameras and the ability to video chat. Same is true with the live TV.
The US is behind the curve with many cell phone capabilities. I think part o that is there are still many old fashioned people and politicians who are against cell phones but thats just my opinion based on my observations.
“Icons were found in the 3.2 SDK”
I REALLY think Apple should stick in a hidden icon of a Flux Capacitor in there, just to mess with people’s heads.
Was goint to buy an iPad ,’cause i have family all over and need a camera to chat, but oh well, i think i’m going to buy me a $300 netbook….
P.S.: End the (private)Federal Reserve!!