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Numerous new iChat clues found iPhone OS 4
We don't really know why Apple wouldn't have mentioned iChat at its "tentpole"-filled keynote if it was all ready to go on it, but the eternal optimists within us would like to believe that the merest glimpse of the app would instantly reveal a front facing camera on whatever new iPhone hardware is in the works, therefore relegating the app to secrecy. Still, the evidence does indeed seem to be mounting for the software's inclusion in the OS. Outside of the iChatAgent process that was spotted last week, 9 to 5 Mac has pulled the covers off references within the SDK to moderators, chat rooms, encrypted video conferences, and more. They even uncovered the same notification noises that the desktop iChat application uses. Sure, this could all be one big misunderstanding, but hopefully these breadcrumbs actually do point to a long-overdue, well-integrated IM experience on the device, video or no. [Thanks, Maj0]
iChatUSBCam hits version 2.2
Ecamm Network has updated its popular iChatUSBCam software to version 2.2. The updated iChatUSBCam, which allows you to plug a USB webcam into your Mac and use it in iChat, includes support for many new USB cameras and a bunch of fixes and enhancements. For just ten bucks, the software lets you bypass having to track down a now non-existent iSight, and use an inexpensive camera from your local CompUSA or Walmart instead. You can pick up a Logitech Notebook QuickCam, for example, starting at under forty bucks.
Patent hints at wireless iPod video conferencing
As we gear up to launch a study on how long it takes patents like this to actually reach market (if ever), feast your eyes on the latest iPod-related patent that Macsimum News tracked down. Now it apparently isn't from Apple, but that doesn't stop what might be some sort of an iPod accessory from boasting capabilities like iChat AV-esque video chats, acting as a video server and *gasp* we think there's even a mobile phone-like keypad in this shot - make of that what you will. Check out the full patent if you're into that kind of stuff, but don't whip your credit cards out just yet - we still need to get moving on that aforementioned study.[via Engadget Mobile]
New patent covers wireless iPod video conferencing
These iPod-related patents get more outlandish by the minute, and this one might not even be from Apple, but we thought we'd run it by you all the same. The patent seems to refer to what could at least be an iPod accessory. It isn't filed by Apple, but since it continuously refers the the iPod specifically, it seems the device is somehow closely related. Clearly evident is an ability to do iChat AV-style video conferencing over a wired or wireless connection. References to "wherein the handheld video device is an improved iPod" give us hope that this device will work with some sort of next-generation wireless iPod, possibly even a phone version. The patent also covers the use of the iPod as a video server or to receive video streams from the Internets (World Cup, anyone?) which we're sure quite a few fans of the little device could find useful. There's also the chance that these pictures that include a phone are merely the dreams a patent squatter, or that the bare-bones approach of plugging in an external camera and headset will be as far as anybody goes with these video capabilities. But we can always dream, right?[Via Macsimum News]
