Apple looking to hire camera expert, iPad Camera Kit to support USB audio?

We know it's been hard to deal with the comparative lack of iPad rumors now that the thing has actually be released (in some places, at least), but we've got a bit of a treat today: not one but two camera-related iPad rumors. The first comes courtesy of an Apple job posting for a Performance QA Engineer for iPad media who, among other things, must rely on their "knowledge of digital camera technology (still and video) to develop and maintain testing frameworks for both capture and playback pipelines." While anything to result from that may have to wait until iPad 2.0, Apple software engineering manager William Stewart has dropped another interesting detail on an Apple mailing list concerning the soon-to-be-available Camera Connection Kit. Apparently, in addition to accommodating your digital camera, the USB adapter will also support class-compliant USB audio devices -- although that is yet to be confirmed by Apple itself. Of course, you'll also need some apps to take advantage of that, but Stewart seems to also imply the necessary functionality is at least already built into the OS, which would seem to make apps only a matter of time. We'll let you take the speculation from there.

[DrDr Posted Apr 15th 2010 2:01PM]

If this get USB-Audio, I will buy an iPad. It would be the ultimate media player once it is hooked up to a proper DAC/AMP.

Of course, it also needs FLAC support, and maybe Ampache as well, but thats what jailbreaking is for I guess.

[Chizzed Posted Apr 15th 2010 2:03PM]

@DrDr

What real world applications you want to hook up a point and shoot camera to an iPad to use? Serious question, not trolling.

I'd prefer to see a built in camera. :(

Until then, use your iPhone to take pics on your iPad.

http://www.tuaw.com/2010/04/07/first-look-camera-for-ipad/

[Atkins Posted Apr 15th 2010 2:05PM]

@Chizzed I'll hook my camera to download pictures.

[DrDr Posted Apr 15th 2010 2:06PM]

@Chizzed

Like I said, I want to be able to use it as a proper media player, that is my main interest, but the camera bit is good too. I would hook up my Olympus 4/3rds dSLR to it, and set it to save pictures as RAW as well as SHQ 1024x768 jpeg for reviewing on the iPad. The LCD on my camera sucks, and I will often get pictures looking really dark on there when in reality they are exposed just fine. Being able to review them on the iPad will help.

[greezyg Posted Apr 15th 2010 2:08PM]

@Chizzed If your on vacation you can import pix from your digital camera to it, then upload to your gallery of choice. Much easier than lugging a laptop around.

[OCEAN CLAK Posted Apr 15th 2010 2:11PM]

@DrDr

Just use a netbook they have USB ports, SD Cards, can play all formates with VLC, plus can use photoshop, some have 1366 x 768 screens and plus you dont have to sync with a pc

[DrDr Posted Apr 15th 2010 2:13PM]

@OCEAN CLAK

Ya, I'm using a netbook now, but an iPad would be cooler.

[Chizzed Posted Apr 15th 2010 2:16PM]

@Atkins

I guess. I'd prefer a SD slot or something similar though. I dunno, I guess I just haven't been a fan of the iPad, so I don't like this idea really. I mean it's great to have added capabilities and connectivity, but I just think a laptop is be easiest and best to do this; especially if you also want to manipulate the photos/videos and not just store them.

[Atkins Posted Apr 15th 2010 2:16PM]

@OCEAN CLAK Photoshop on a netbook? For what - make web buttons?

[Atkins Posted Apr 15th 2010 2:20PM]

@Chizzed Oh, it is completely up to you to chose you poison. Personally I just need storage for my photos on the move and internet. Can't have better in 700gr with the IPS screen :)

[OCEAN CLAK Posted Apr 15th 2010 2:29PM]

@Atkins

You can do far more than that, especially if its powerfull enough and connected to an external LCD screen, mine handles 7500 x 4000 res images with 22 layers perfectly.

[Atkins Posted Apr 15th 2010 2:31PM]

@OCEAN CLAK I am doing some matte painting and my core2 2.4GHZ on my laptop is suffering. How can you have a 700$ software on a netbook?

[OCEAN CLAK Posted Apr 15th 2010 2:40PM]

@Atkins
easy
SSD Drive, few installed software, Over Clocked, Delete operating system cache every few weeks, custom OS install, no virus software installed, system restore off etc

[chadleychad Posted Apr 15th 2010 3:17PM]

@greezyg

Just buy a load of low cost SD cards ... beats lugging an iPad around!!!

[lakersin2025 Posted Apr 15th 2010 4:36PM]

@DrDr So how do you get pictures onto an ipad right now?

[OCEAN CLAK Posted Apr 15th 2010 5:28PM]

@lakersin2025

Internet, Sync with PC or Mac, or pay for SD Adapter and USB Adapter

[Alex R Posted Apr 15th 2010 6:23PM]

@DrDr
'Of course, it also needs FLAC support,'

Is there not an app to allow it to play FLACs even if it isn't in the iPod section?
Somebody needs to get one made if there isn't.

[mabhatter Posted Apr 15th 2010 8:48PM]

@Chizzed Because at $500 I just want to get my pictures INTO the thing. At the $500+ point, your probably packing at least as expensive of Digital camera anyway, why waste money on 1st gen with only so-so camera? I just want to be able to to light editing (balance and cropping) then upload my photos from my SD card at a WiFi hotspot next to the park. I'm more interested in how open the USB adapter will be.... USB audio would be nice, I'm interested in if I'll get generic USB Flash access... 64GB sticks are getting cheap now and using them for more than pics, like documents! would be really nice.

[jedi Posted Apr 15th 2010 9:10PM]

@Chizzed

If a netbook can handle this task, there's no reason an ipad could not. Although the ipad will be a lot more likely to run out of space and have all of the limitations and annoyances of being an overgrown ipod.

We're talking about snapshots here, not backgrounds for Avatar 2.

[AcE17 Posted Apr 15th 2010 10:29PM]

I was intrigued when I read Camera.... and lost all interest when I read Kit...........

[Ducman69 Posted Apr 16th 2010 12:21AM]

@DrDr A netbook makes a lot more sense. The photographer at our last wedding we attended used a Dell Mini 9 since it has a high color accuracy LED display, fit perfectly in his bag, and he even had pictures from just a few hours ago constantly uploaded to it and displaying on the attached projector which was pretty neat.

Look to the left:
http://gadgets.boingboing.net/2803_dell_and_streetwalker_preview.jpg

[preniakran Posted Apr 16th 2010 6:28AM]

@Chizzed Apple insider-- cut the chase, and lets get it on! maybe we'll see it on the 2nd Gen model? Reactions to ipad. http://j.mp/apple-tablet-experience

[Anatidae Posted Apr 15th 2010 2:01PM]

I just love the look of that USB port.

[strawe Posted Apr 15th 2010 2:17PM]

@Anatidae
Agreed. What I don't love, is the look of that girl in the picture. Something seriously unnerving about her...

[Lord Vader Posted Apr 15th 2010 2:23PM]

@strawe. Indeed, Notice how the person taking her photograph is not reflected in her Sunglasses. I sense a Jedi Force Ghost is behind this

[Atkins Posted Apr 15th 2010 2:25PM]

@strawe The smile or the glasses?

[NHAnimator Posted Apr 15th 2010 2:39PM]

That is not the actual placement of the dongle is it? If so, it just seems like it's begging to be busted when you are sitting in a chair with one ankle up over your opposite knee (the required position for optimal use of an iPad).

[strawe Posted Apr 15th 2010 2:48PM]

@Atkins
Everything...there's just something wrong.

[Alex R Posted Apr 15th 2010 7:22PM]

@Lord Vader
Don't they have a little dingus called Photoshop on the Deathstar?

(It is the Deathstar, right? I've never really seen Star Wars... I've seen a hand fall into a bottomless pit and a giant squid in the desert.)

[ncarlin Posted Apr 15th 2010 2:03PM]

YAY i have always wanted to record my latest hit tracks on a ipad

[DoctarPeppar Posted Apr 15th 2010 2:06PM]

Wow, if this is true, this makes me real glad that I purchased an iPad.

[MrJimlad Posted Apr 15th 2010 2:34PM]

@DoctarPeppar
hang on... so then you weren't real glad you bought it before?

[DoctarPeppar Posted Apr 15th 2010 2:41PM]

@MrJimlad
No. It's quite limited in terms of functionality.

[Blacknimbus Posted Apr 15th 2010 4:52PM]

@DoctarPeppar

I hate to tell you Doc, but I don't think a USB dongle is going to change that fact.

[DoctarPeppar Posted Apr 15th 2010 4:56PM]

@Blacknimbus
I hate to tell you that you must not know anything about USB audio and what you can do with a device that has a multitouch screen that supports it.

[techlord Posted Apr 15th 2010 2:07PM]

Just wait till Ipad2

[Endanger Posted Apr 15th 2010 2:08PM]

Is that the most ugliest USB port in the world. Why oh why was there no proper ports on the Ipad.

[Atkins Posted Apr 15th 2010 2:11PM]

@Endanger Maybe it's big, but definitely not ugly. I have yet to see something ugly coming from Apple.

[Forphucsake Posted Apr 15th 2010 3:12PM]

@Atkins Steve Jobs outfit?

[Atkins Posted Apr 15th 2010 3:21PM]

@Forphucsake Apple makes clothes now?

[trainwrecka Posted Apr 15th 2010 2:08PM]

iPad rumors... WE'RE BACK!!!


/sarcasm

[Luke Posted Apr 15th 2010 2:08PM]

What will they think of next?!

[DrDr Posted Apr 15th 2010 2:11PM]

@Luke

SD Card slot BUILT IN. It would be amazing.

The iPad would be a magical picture editing device as well as a magically amazing productivity device.

[Luke Posted Apr 15th 2010 2:21PM]

@DrDr

SD Slot?! Built INTO the machine!? Can't be done.

[Atkins Posted Apr 15th 2010 2:27PM]

@Luke Whatever it is, it will be 3 years before Microsoft.

[Apple Google Microsoft Posted Apr 15th 2010 2:28PM]

@DrDr

Your idea is just too crazy. Get your feet back on the ground.

[Luke Posted Apr 15th 2010 2:43PM]

@Atkins

So there won't be Windows tablets with card readers until 2013? Man, thats a bummer. I thought Windows tablets had been around for quite some time. Shows what I know. It'll probably take them even longer to figure out the USB thingy that they're talking about in this article.

[Atkins Posted Apr 15th 2010 2:48PM]

@Luke I don't compare the iPad to the Tablet PCs - it is a media device.

[mr88 Posted Apr 15th 2010 2:08PM]

Apple comes out with a new simple function for the iPad. But wait, first pay another $5 for an app...

[DrDr Posted Apr 15th 2010 2:10PM]

@mr88

no, the app is free, but they will charge you $30 for a $0.30 adapter.