Mirror-based video conferencing developed for iPhone

It's pretty obvious that Apple didn't design the iPhone with video conferencing in mind -- what with the camera on the back and all -- but that doesn't seem to have dissuaded the folks from Ecamm Network, who recently whipped up a workaround with the help of some mirrors and some coding skills. Although it's yet to be independently verified, the contraption (done for the C-4 developers conference "Iron Coder Live" contest) is apparently based on a slightly modified Huckleberry MacBook "periscope," and employs some hastily coded software to properly orient the image and rely the video from one iPhone to another (with a web server lending a hand in that process). Unfortunately, you can't yet make a fool of yourself in public unless you have some comparable coding skills of your own, although we're guessing that won't be the case for long.

[Phi Nguyen @ Aug 13th 2007 11:53AM]

That's a really neat solution.

[Azzwiped @ Aug 13th 2007 11:55AM]

what a kludge.

[James @ Aug 14th 2007 12:45AM]

This is a hack, not a kludge. A kludge is ugly, but this is clever -- beautiful, even.

[Azzwiped @ Aug 14th 2007 12:54AM]

it's ugly.

[Chris @ Aug 13th 2007 11:56AM]

Gizmodo's story states that it's video only--no audio. That's a pretty important point/drawback.

[Ken @ Aug 13th 2007 12:57PM]

There is audio.. you just have to make a phone call ;)

[The General @ Aug 13th 2007 3:06PM]

You make it seem like this particular video conferencing app is something "to be considered" when it comes to reviewing the iPhone. Hardly the case.

[DickHardknocks @ Aug 13th 2007 11:59AM]

The Motorola V3X was suppossed to have video conferencing.

WHAT HAPPENED?

is it that the networks are too slow or the manufacturers are too weak?

[Bloobie @ Aug 13th 2007 1:09PM]

The original V3xx does support video conferencing, hence the 2 cameras. Since there are no carriers in the US which support videoconferencing, they removed the 2nd camera. Rogers is the only (AFAIK) carrier in North America which has it.

[lotzosushi @ Aug 13th 2007 12:01PM]

Now that's an interesting/creative design and concept. Although wouldn't it be easier, or at least a little bit more convenient to code an external webcam or camera for web-conferencing rather than the intricate mirror design? lol It would be a lot easier to carry around and um... a bit less distracting on the eye. :D

[mingistech @ Aug 13th 2007 12:14PM]

Hook up an external cam? Thats not really an option since there is no port for such a device.

Maybe if a company produced a small cam that plugs into the bottom port, but... that does not exist.

[wizzle @ Aug 13th 2007 12:50PM]

bluetooth?

[TheUndertow @ Aug 13th 2007 12:08PM]

Is that kid wearing make-up?

[Magallanes @ Aug 13th 2007 1:40PM]

Maybe or maybe the colors are a bit biased (you can see a blue-ish color in the face).

[cirby @ Aug 13th 2007 12:14PM]

"Gizmodo's story states that it's video only--no audio. That's a pretty important point/drawback."

...except that the phone part of the iPhone still works, and you use it while the video side is running. Call someone, ask them to fire up the videoconference side, and you're there.

[FishGuy @ Aug 13th 2007 12:29PM]

I thought I read somewhere that the EDGE network does not support voice and data transfers simultaneously (which is a big negative for me since I couldn't browse the web while taking an obligatory call). Is there any truth to that? If so than it seems like this solution would in fact be mute.

[cirby @ Aug 13th 2007 12:49PM]

If I'm going to be videoconferencing, I'm doing it on a Wi-Fi connection. EDGE doesn't have the bandwidth for a good picture at decent refresh rates.

[cirby @ Aug 13th 2007 12:26PM]

Actually, someone should be able to make a periscope rig like the one they invented, except a LOT smaller. Two mirrors the size of a nickel would work (I just checked my iPhone with a small mirror and a large one, and it works, and the image is upside-down, but that should be a fairly easy software fix).

[CraigJ @ Aug 13th 2007 12:43PM]

well, at least this is a proof of concept for video capture software on the iPhone...

[fontendet24 @ Aug 13th 2007 1:05PM]

Cute guy... :) Catch my kiss.

[Blah @ Aug 13th 2007 5:58PM]

Hee hee! I thought the same thing. He's adorable!

[Chris P. @ Aug 13th 2007 2:42PM]

I was there, front row, when they demoed this live at C4 this weekend. They started the project last Tuesday, so, hell yeah, there are some rough edges. But this is some serious geek fu, and they won the Iron Coder competition by a landslide. Expect more polish to come...

[Jeff Lewis @ Aug 13th 2007 3:30PM]

Man... this is 'elegant'? Easy to use?

Sheesh. What some people will do to justify that their decision to purchase something was the right one.

Whatever.

[Luke @ Aug 13th 2007 5:46PM]

Relay the video between iPhones, don't rely it.

[Jon @ Aug 13th 2007 5:50PM]

How sad...

[Frank @ Aug 13th 2007 7:15PM]

The next iphone will have Video ichat for sure and it will have a camera on the front embedded within the screen so that you will be able to look the other person in the eyes.

[mjc @ Aug 13th 2007 8:11PM]

I have a Huckleberry for my Macbook pro and it works fine. Of course it does the reverse - turns the isight into a outward-facing camera. They provide software to do the necessary image reversal.

[Galley @ Aug 14th 2007 9:41AM]

If only the iPhone camera swiveled like the one on my Samsung A900.