Of the 1,500 or so new developer APIs and over 100 new user features mentioned by
Steve and Co. yesterday, only a handful were covered in any detail. As usual, Apple was careful not to reveal anything about the next generation iPhone hardware expected to launch this summer. Fortunately we can spelunk the iPhone OS 4 SDK developer preview for hints of what's to come.
TUAW found a new "iChatAgent" process running on OS 4 devices -- purpose, unknown -- but surely an indicator that Apple's finally set to launch a mobile iChat app. The fact that Apple hasn't already is one of those great iPhone / iPad / iPod touch mysteries. We've also peeled back the SDK to find evidence supporting those
rumors of a front-facing camera (AVCaptureDevicePositionFront), flash (AVCaptureFlashModeOn/Off/auto), and torch/flashlight (AVCaptureTorchModeOn/Off/Auto) all declared in the AVCaptureDevice.h. Who cares, right? Front-facing video cameras have been implemented on a variety of mobile devices for years. Trouble is, how many people actually use them to video conference? And if Apple's late contribution to copy and paste can be used as a guide for setting expectations (and it can), then we expect Apple's iChat implementation to be done with the same grace and ease of use -- something that should have its carrier partners a bit worried if it's allowed to function over 3G data.
[Thanks, Anonymous]
posted April 9th 2010 4:04AM
This paves the way for apps like Google Talk and Skype for video chatting. More interested in that.
@cookiemawnstah Google Talk? Don't hold your breath.
@cookiemawnstah Ah, stop right there. Now the iPhone has iChat and Skype duplicates an already available feature. Skype gets dumped from the App Store.
@Giantenemycrab
not really... Unlike browsers, IM clients have a predetermined user base. Unless iChat works on the Skype network, or you can't argue it duplicates functions. I hope Apple thinks this way. Fingers crossed.
@cookiemawnstah
iPad doesn't get a front-facing camera because iPhone IV does, thus justifying the purchase of both. Once iPhone V gets a built-in projector, iPad II will get the camera. And so it goes.
@cookiemawnstah
Pretty sure the Evo will have this when it's released with its front facing camera. Unless Apple is planning on new hardware soon then there will be no video chat for a while.
@cookiemawnstah The reason we don't use them is b/c the stupid carriers in the US don't support it. So even though I've had a front facing cam on 4 of my previous phones, its never gotten any real use. And the only app that might want to support it, ahem Skype, does not.
There should be a new iPhone in 3-4 months.
@Giantenemycrab Did you see the keynote? The iPad can be used like a phone after OS 4 comes out because of Skype. One thing that will be funny is people's reaction to paying for voice services when they can use a Skype like service to make all their callls on the mobile phone using just the data.
@cookiemawnstah Google Talk... yeah OK. It'll be coming real soon now.
@dxdragon
GTalk already supports this from within Gmail over a webcam. Wonder if it would take them long at all to port it to a mobile device with a front-facing camera. After all it's based on web technologies so any full fledged browser with right video plugins or html5 support should enable gtalk video chat... even on iPhone with its safari which I guess would support html5 fully by then... the question would be though, whether the camera will be accessible from the browser... apple may deny it just to thwart google...
@cookiemawnstah
As awesome as this sounds, don't wait on it. Given Skype's recent partnership with Verizon, it seems like all there other projects have been delayed indefinitely. Remember when everyone got excited about the ban being lifted on VOIP over 3G? Yeah...Skype is still "getting around to that", while other no name companies were all over it the next day with updated code already in the app store.
@dxdragon
You could already do this on BlackBerry/Android, and I'm sure others. I wouldn't be surprised if they don't allow this on the iPhone though (ie: requiring a phone plan) or the iPad (by not allowing 3G Skype calls or something).
@Giantenemycrab
"Now the iPhone has iChat and Skype duplicates an already available feature. Skype gets dumped from the App Store."
Apple demoed the VoIP service using Skype. If this is not an endorsement of supporting Skype, what is it?
@cookiemawnstah Im sure Apple will buy skype eventually for their VOIP.
@D GIBBONS IS A BAD MAN Yep that seems to be the Apple way. They want you to have a Mac, iPhone (every year), and now a iPad (every year). Small upgrades to keep people interested. I am not falling for it anymore. I will keep my Macbook Pro, my N1, and waiting for the Courier
iWant iPhone 4G
@facethefire They're probably going to have to give it a different title.. Don'tcha think?
Say it with me .. 4g .. 4g ...
@Evin iPhone Orgy?
iDildo
@facethefire
It's called the iPhone 4GSX. Not even kidding, you'll see.
@Almo You sure sound mighty confident or you just forgot the /s tag.. as they say.
iChat is on top of my wish list, together with earlier release of the iPad software, and support of widgets on the lock-screen.
Actually I'm disappointed at the iPad not featuring a front facing camera as it would be perfect for iChats/Skype, but I agree that it's not top priority. Hey guys, what are the betted features to come with the next gen iPad (hardware wise)? I'm starting to feel like these things are pretty perfectly done, appart from that missing camera.
@blinddance I have an iPad and I think the next gen hardware should have
1. better specs, namely more RAM, CPU/GPU less important but these things get faster by the days. Kill the netbooks, kill 'em dead.
2. Front facing camera. To be honest I don't care much for it, but it is a bullet point nonetheless and evidently much needed for some people.
3. Awesomer display, the IPS screen is pretty awesome to boot, but the pixel density could be better.
4. Shave one or two hundred grams off would be nice. 1.5 lbs is not heavy, still since I'm planning to use it as my main e-book reader, the lighter the merrier.
@AdmiralKlingon
Interesting. See this is what I mean tho. Specs and weight is always something that will improve, but with multitasking upcoming it seems to me that there aren't any major flaws to this product. And most of the ones (except of course, the camera) seems to be solvable through software updates anyways. I guess my question to you as an iPad owner is, do you recommend me to buy it, or should I wait? I know I definitely want a product like the iPad, but also that there will be a better one out next year. The question is, HOW much better...
@blinddance There will always be something better. If you think that you need it now, buy it. Also, you can always sell it.
@Atkins exactly, but very few people "NEED" an iPad, it's more a nice gadget to have, if you know what I mean ;)
@blinddance I don't know if you should get one.I did so I'm bias. I definitely recommend you to try one out at your local Apple Store or BBY. It's sensational. And it will make you loath your petty little iPhone 3GS.
@blinddance Well, then, if you really want it now, buy it. Yes, there will be a better version in 6-12 months, but meanwhile you can have fun with it. And if you live in some bigger city, you'll be able to sell it easily... just when the rumors of an update start coming :)
I don't know what your situation is, but money are made for spending :)
@Atkins @AdmiralKlingon if you guys are from Apple, congratulations! You just sold me an iPad ;) that makes it what, 450 001 iPads sold? lol.
@blinddance Before you seal the deal, there are some shortcomings I'm gonna warn you:
1. Apps for iPad are generally promising but very buggy. Even the holy Twitteriffic would crash, and a lot. That's because the majority of them are not properly tested due to hardware unavailability. Apple is truly a sick sick company.
2. The first party apps are... feature lean. The same goes for the whole OS. It seems rushed, in Apple's way, which means pretty but anemic. There are a lot of rooms for later improvement software wise. For instance the spring board is just stupidly uncluttered.
3. Apple's solution for file import and output is rage inducing. Why it has to go through iTunes I just can't justify. It would not be so detestable if Apple provide us a true cloud solution or wireless syncing mechanism. But alas.
That's about it for me. Your complaint may differ but trust me, you'll find something to bitch about, we always do.
@AdmiralKlingon I think points 1 and 2 will improve quickly. But point 3....... :(
@blinddance I have been using the iPad for almost a week straight and haven't touched my MacBook once. It's a device you could get away with using all the time unless you have to do some heavy stuff. The perfect combo is an iPad and iMac
@jsbaugh "The perfect combo is an iPad and iMac."
Same here :) And a dumbphone.
@jsbaugh
The "perfect" combo would be a Mac laptop, a PC gaming desktop, an iPad, an iPhone, a iPod(for running)
oh , and a 55in LED TV , a 110 in Silverstar with darkchip 4 DLP, a Klipsch Thx sound ...
oh, and ...
@AdmiralKlingon I appreciate your input on the iPad, it puts perspective on a device i was wishy-washy about.
@rdrunner Oh and you're a douche.
Steve just keeps giving and giving. And I'm not too phased about Flash, it's an archaic dated and incredibly buggy plug-in, so much so that the new Firefox 3,7 Alpha 4 has got out of process plug ins to prevent the majority of browser crashes. What I would like to see from Apple is an iMovie app, particularly for the iPad as it's in this spae where the device can truly excel.
@Mr String Theory
I was hoping that they refresh macbooks and iLife at the same time and announce iLife for iPad with GarageBand, iWeb, and iMovie, and also add some minor editing features to Photos, so that it is equivalent to iPhoto. The iPod app is really just iTunes with the store separated.
@indyraider4 A light version of Aperture would be even better on the iPad.
@Atkins I think you are asking for a more finger friendly iPhoto.
@AdmiralKlingon I hate iPhoto. I really want some lighter Aperture, but maybe it's too much :)
@Atkins I'm afraid so. Aperture 3 doesn't agree with my 3 YO MacBook Pro. Port it to an A4@1GHz iPad? It'll have to be stripped near naked.
OTOH iPad does support RAW files tho.
@indyraider4 Yeah, iLife 2010 is way overdue based on the usual Macworld schedule of the past.
How many people use the front-facing camera on their, let's say, Nokia phones? I have yet to see one. It's just a bragging point.
@pika2000
I've hear of this place called "Europe", where they have far better networks than the US, and Nokia outsells Apple by like 20 to 1. I've also heard of this other place called "Asia". They're just mythical places though, like Narnia and Middle Earth.
@shishi I'm Asian and I don't effing care about front facing camera.
Pure novelty feature to me.
@shishi I'm from Asia, and I have friends in Europe, and I have yet to see anybody utilizing the front-facing camera, other than for bragging rights.
@shishi I've heard about this place called Europe, I live there, London to be exact, and I've only ever seen one person use their phone for a video call. Mainly because the quality of the video is so poor, and on top of that, it just make you look silly.
@shishi What's your point? He says nobody is using the front-facing camera and you say that Nokia outsells Apple?