Ideas We Like: IPods With Cameras
Techcrunch is reporting, via “sources in Asia,” that Apple is gobbling up huge numbers of camera sensors—the same ones used in the iPhone 3GS—for use in iPods. If Apple isn’t really doing this, they should be.
First, the Techcrunch take:
Apple has placed an order for a massive number of camera modules of the type that they include in the iPhone. These are inexpensive cameras, in the $US10 range. And the size of the order, our source says, means they can only be used for one thing – the iPods.
That’s not a terribly huge amount of information, but even so, such a move’s objectives are immediately obvious: to enter, eat away at, and eventually obliterate the cheap camcorder space. Here’s how it goes: Apple puts a camera in their iPod Touch; customers already eager buy an iPod are suddenly more eager; customers looking for a cheap pocket camcorder suddenly have a new, price-competitive option with a ton more features than the typical video-recording bricks of the genre.
The iPod Touch has always had near-parity with the iPhone in terms of features, barring the obvious phone features. The other, non-cellular differences—lack of camera, microphone, and for a while, GPS—disturbed this parity, though one assumes they were necessary for reasons of price. Adding a camera would close the gap, mostly eliminating the annoying penalty of buying a Touch over an iPhone.
Techcrunch goes so far as to say the order is big enough to expect cameras in all iPods except the shuffle—a rumour we’ve heard bits and pieces of before. That’d be fine, I guess, but the Touch seems like a much more obvious (and practical and functional) choice: it’s already got the screen, the software and connectivity it needs to be a competitive camera product; Apple just needs to give it eyes. [Techcrunch—Thanks, Matt!]
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Comments (AU Comments | US Comments)
@Noobs-R-Us: The two holes are just for a clip or a string.
They're just cases for the product, not the casing for the product.
tande04
@Noobs-R-Us: holde=hole
Noobs-R-Us
The square holde of that case and the two little holes at the bottom points more to a Blackberry rather than an Apple.
Crackberries have the sqaure cameras frames and the two leads on the back bottom.
Noobs-R-Us
@Ehrich Blackhound: I agree. Adding the better processor and more ram would help accelerate more demanding games into the app store.
jbrandonf likes pie. And Dreamcast
@BuyingPowerTools_GitEmSteveDave: Getting caught.
jbrandonf likes pie. And Dreamcast
@Tmacfan4321: How did you get Apple from that comment? Who do you think produces more iPod accessories...Apple or third-party companies?
jbrandonf likes pie. And Dreamcast
@FaRReR: I was born 21 years ago, and haven't been current since then.
jbrandonf likes pie. And Dreamcast
@josephcamp: I <3 at you now.
jbrandonf likes pie. And Dreamcast
@MacAttack7388: That's Apple for you.
Tmacfan4321
@superatombomb: My sister and two of my younger cousins all bought 16GB 2G touches a few weeks ago. I told them to wait until September, but they couldn't.
Tmacfan4321
@RobotVampire: And what exactly is the problem with cameras in shoes? Given the predilection of today's female movie/tv/music stars not to wear underbritches, I can only see an upside.
I hope its more than just the shuffle that doesn't have a camera, or you can get a newer model without the camera, otherwise quite a few people are going to be quite irritated that they cant take music/headphones into a secure environment. Not to mention this will make it worse when visiting a court. I already have to show them that my touch is NOT an iphone with camera/mic.
DrRiAdGeOrN
@Tony Bostony:
Yeah, and the fact that they don't release accessories to make the older iPod Touch mimic the new one's functionality is equally frustrating.
I've been saying they should have cameras since I first used my 5G iPod Video.
I still think this would be a great idea. Especially if they were smart enough to also release an attachment that would enable older iPod (Touches as least) to use a camera. (Maybe a Mic too, for that skype app).
>>"it's already got the screen, the software and connectivity it needs to be a competitive camera product; Apple just needs to give it eyes."
This is far off from being a "camera product"...
iPhones and cellphones are using 1/4" sensors which has an area of 9.72 mm2. These sensors are microscopic, which is why they cost ~$10 from a supplier. Point-and-shoot camera sensors can be as large as ~60 mm2 (such as the Panasonic LX3). An APS-C dSLR has a sensor area of ~360 mm2, and a full-frame camera has an area of 854 mm2.
To put that into perspective, the difference in quality between a cellphone cam and a point-and-shoot is a gap larger then a point-and-shoot and APS-C dSLR. Even now point-and-shoots don't cost much more then $100, and cheap HD camcorders like the Flip can take better videos and is compact and easy to use.
Adding a camera in an iPod is nice, it'll be great for times when people use cellphone cams, taking impromptu photos, but that's far removed from being a camera product.
Scaramanga
10$ for the 3GS's 3.2MP w/Autofocus or the 3G's lousy(just to-make-a-tier-difference) 2MP?
vx2
Would not be surprised to see the Touch upgraded to 3GS technology, including the camera.
@RobotVampire:
You would be surprised how many teens are waiting exactly for this so they can add more stupid videos even faster to YouTube & co.
daPrinz
@RobotVampire: Some digital voice recorders have cameras. Like the old microcassette recorders but digital w/a camera feature.
Geez, next thing you know someone will be adding cameras to our shoes or some shit. I can see the use in a camera being added to the Touch, it's connected to the 'net and does browsing/email. But a camera on a iPod classic or Nano? What's the use, oh wait, it's just Apples way of convincing people with a PMP that's at least one year old (or less) that they need a new one. Well played Apple, well played indeed.
RobotVampire
@superatombomb: My iPhone 2G isn't current anymore :(
Just realized some people get a new ipod every year by reselling the soon to be out of date one on ebay...Ignorance IS bliss
So they are going to release yet another ipod touch, huh?
That will make people happy!
Maybe they will include a magnetometer too! And a GSM radio and call it a phone.
Tony Bostony
I doubt this will be the disruptive product Gizmodo expects. Cameraphone sensors are a piece of crap compared to even the cheapest end of the "typical video-recording bricks of the genre", so it's not going to compete at all on the footage quality, especially in the dark. It's not going to compete on price either: the competition there is the Flip Video, which is $75. The really serious competition is the $150 stills camera with optical zoom which most people already own, or the cameraphone in their pocket which will likely take video every bit as good.
Now, the iPod Touch would have the video editing and uploading going for it. Those are big pluses, especially for convenience. It's not going to shake up the personal digital camera market though.
Sockatume
@superatombomb:
They release a new Touch every year anyway. So it won't be current come september with or without a camera.
That's why I leaving by Birthday present until september so I don't have a out of date product in a couple of months.
george9807
Hang about - what res & fps can that camera & logic combo achieve? What does it do on the 3GS?
Would be interested if it could muster 720P. Apart from that I'd rather they just lower the price.
Richard Braddock
if they do, i'll be really :( because my ipod touch 2g won't be current anymore
superatombomb
The suspiciously perforated case looks like it may have holes for a built in Stereo microphone...if they add video they HAVE to add audio...They go together like YIN AND THE YANG ...PEANUTBUTTER AND JELLY....CHLOROFORM AND DUCT TAPE...
@josephcamp: I have to agree with jbrandonf because you are most certainly right!
It has to be a camera with flash to make me buy one. I already have a poopy non-flash camera on my phone thank you!
Christie Porter
@Mike918: oops ...
@Mike918:
@tbone92: Same.
DaSazonator
@vx2: Let's hope it's the 3GS's camera.
DaSazonator
@josephcamp: I did that with my 1G iTouch...planing to do the same if i see another rumor.
@BFKelleher: Well if you add a camera...an integrated mic would be a nice idea so you dont have to plug in your headphones everytime you want to record something with audio.
A camera and a built-in microphone would make me buy a new iPod.
These sensors aren't too shabby and I can see this being the digicam you expect...with some qualifiers. Being the first attempt at doing so, of course they are using the cheapest they can get to see if the market is solid. They will obviously then do what they have always done, make 87 different configurations with at least a few being HD high-end models. So the nice videocam market may be safe for a year or two.
wolfsingleton
I see this going really well for parents. I think it will be a better option for them. Instead of having to get their kids both an ipod and a camera, which a lot of teens have, they can now just get them the ipod. It will save parents a $100 plus and therefore will be an excellent selling item.
jesuswhammy
I'll get one when they add a meat thermometer. Oh, and more fart apps.
@DrRiAdGeOrN: Well, people could -not- buy it, and avoid the problem, right?
$150 8g Iphone 2g>$250 8G Ipod touch
I see 8G IPhone 2G's on craigslist going for way less than a 8G Ipod touch. Just take the sim card out and it's an Ipod touch with a camera. It also would have a built in microphone.
slepton
@Sockatume: You assume, though, that the leading reason most people buy a cheap camera is image quality. I'd argue that more and more of them are interested in getting a quick photo, and being able to share that image with their friends via Flickr, Facebook, YouTube, etc. Slap that into an iPod Touch with the capability to wirelessly put the photo/video onto Facebook within 2 minutes of it happening, and the camera market will lose a TON of share to Apple.
Like me, for instance: I took my little Canon to our 4th of July bbq this weekend. If I had the chance to buy a new iPod that could let me take reasonably similar photos plus check my email, play movies/songs, etc? I'll switch in a heartbeat. I think many people are in the same boat.
The next iPod touch will probably have most of the new features that the iPhone 3GS has, like a compass, more power, and video. I say more power is definite because the iPod touch is advertised as the gaming iPod, so if Apple wants it to continue to be able to play those games, then it needs more power. I am glad that the iPod is getting a camera. It'd be nice if it got GPS, too. But it doesn't really need a microphone. It already has an audio input/output port for an external mic. If you really want to make Skype calls, then just buy a mic.
BFKelleher
@Richard Braddock: Not sure about the res, but the 3GS supports up to 30 fps. I've taken a few videos with it, but just haven't checked the size or looked into it.
@Nick Weiss:
i like where you're head is at.
Scott Willson
@jbrandonf likes pie. And Dreamcast: but what would the call it?
the iPod touch S?
Lance eagles3strong
maybe they ordered so many because there is going to be a front facing camera too!
Nick Weiss
Apple needs to add wifi and a camera to the nano.
Shabbis
@Sockatume: hmmmm....you should read Clayton Christensen's "Innovator's Dilemma" and see if that would convince you that a camera in an iPod will/will not be disruptive.
The quality of the small sensor will continue to get better, most photos are snapshots, being able to quickly share is key...and ultra high image quality is not the top of the list for most snapshots.
All makers with cameras for low end of the market should be quaking in the boots. If they are not, then they have their head in the sand.
@tande04: I don't know about that. That would seem like a poor place to put a lanyard since the phone would fall out of the rubber condom everytime you pulled hard on the lanyard.
It seems more logical to have the holes for contacts like some Blackberry backs.
Noobs-R-Us
@superatombomb: I just bought and iPod touch 2G :(
TurboTexas