On future iPhone and iPads
OK…. here’s the deal. I didn’t read enough about the stolen/lost iPhone prototype that was found to know if there was a forward-facing camera and a camera on the back of the device. I only know that there is a forward-facing camera.
In order for any type of iChat-like video conferencing to happen, and for people to use their devices as pocket cameras, there need to be two cameras on the iPhone. Have you ever tried to take a picture of yourself and a friend on your iPhone? It’s fucking impossible to get a good shot, because you can’t see what you’re taking a picture of. Sure, if you had a camera facing frontward, you’d get a great shot…. but then it’d be a pain in the ass to take pictures of anything you’re looking at, for the same reason.
Update: I investigated further, and yes, there are two cameras on the new iPhone. One on the front of the device, one on the back. Good call, Apple.
Further, the iPad needs a front-facing camera. Not a back facing one. No one is going to carry a 9″ device around to take a picture of anything. They just won’t, okay. But they might want to take pictures of themselves, similar to Photo Booth. Or hell, even video chat. The iPad should have had a camera in the first release. But I promise the day after I buy an iPad, Apple will announce the next-generation iPad with a camera in it. Trust me, that’s how this works. I buy an Apple product, and the next day they improve it. Anyone out there who wants an iPad with a camera, just give me enough money to buy the first version of the iPad.
Other than that, I like the iPad. I think it’s got the right features for the right purpose. It’s not supposed to be a netbook. It’s not supposed to be a cellular phone. It’s supposed to be a larger, Kindle-style device for people that wouldn’t buy a Kindle because it’s not made by Apple. It’s for people who love their iPod Touch and iPhone so much, that they want an even bigger device to spend a few extra hours on, then topping their day off with an iMac or MacBook Pro. It’s supposed to be expensive, and just Apple putting their toes in the water and making a fucking killing on it, so they can release the next version and it’ll spank the shit out of all the companies who did the minimum amount of innovation required to release an “iPad killer” by reading the comments on websites like Ars Technica and Gizmodo, and implementing the features that only losers who think they know tech came up with…. features that people with the least amount of imagination possible came up with.
The new iPhone has evolutionary features. Nothing really “revolutionary” except for the front-facing camera. Even that was pretty much evolutionary. It’s square and looks more industrial, which is the trend in Apple’s products. No more rounded edges and dalmatian-print devices… now it’s all silver and square and professional looking.
Oh, and look at the teardowns…. you know what wasn’t there? A CHIPSET THAT WORKS WITH VERIZON’S NETWORK. HAHAHAHA…. I fucking told you so. It’s never going to happen, okay. We’re stuck with AT&T for life.