Apple's iPhone 3G S: still no video calling
The new iPhone 3G S seems designed to prevent video calling applications.
The feature is called "Video Recording," not a webcam.
The phone sports a great new camera, built for video. But only the one camera, facing away from you, the wrong way for video calls. Video calling needs a camera next to the screen, something Nokia's N series phones do well.
This isn't great news for Skype users. iPhone programmers can use the webcam to store video to a file, but won't be able to write apps that manipulate or route the stream. This means Skype for iPhone won't be able to add video calling any time soon.
Why didn't Apple make that leap?
- It could be simple manufacturing economics: it's too early in the iPhone's life to get the cost of video components down.
- It could be learning curve: vid-to-file is easier to design and manage than streaming video.
- It might be battery life: video eats up CPU and batteries quickly.
- It may be a carrier issue: mobile operators have been hostile to anything that looks like VoIP. Anticompetitive behavior, anyone?
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27 Comments:
Maybe someone can mount a mirror/arm to make a crude hack/workaround front-facing camera?
Oh yeah, no streaming, as you said.
great article, this is probably my biggest gripe on the new iPhone 3Gs. I was so looking forward to a front-mounted vid cam on the iPhone and Skype Vid Conf would be very sweet.
We are so close to video phones... The 21st century promised us, and owes us at least that. Flying cars would be nice too. Back to the future, anyone?
I would be willing to plug in a webcam to get the videochat working. Seems doable with little technology.
The thing that really gets me is that here in Australia we've had phones that do video calling for 4+ years! Why can't Apple get their act together? LG, Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Samsung can all do it - what's so hard Apple????
Apple always has reasons for not doing or doing things. Most of the time it ends up being for a good reason, sometimes not. Let's wait it out to see why they didn't include it this time.
Europe and Asia have had video calling for Years.
US is always behind on everything, except most citizens are too stupid to notice, and too ignorant to care. They only want shiny flashy things that u can touch..you should add that to your list of reasons :) Apple caters to the stupid and pathetic.
Surgex, I hope you are kidding....
i was determinated to buy the new Iphone 3Gs but due to lack of stock am waiting for next week....On reading the posts today that iphone cud not make video calls i wud turn to the Nokia n97 instead.....
They could at least let us watch the video of someone else who has a decent phone even if the iPhone doesn't transmit video.
I am surprised the iPhone is even remotely popular considering it lacks so many critical features found on other, mush older, Smartphones.
To name but a few, my 2 year old HTC Windows Mobile phone can do all these things that even the new iPhone 3GS can't...
1. Video calling with multiple cameras.
2. VoIP, including Skype.
3. Picture Messaging (at last until the iPhone 3G).
4. Multi-Tasking (I can keep apps running in the background).
4. Google Latitude.
5. TETHERING!
Considering that the iPhone doesn't support tethering or video calling, then why is it called 3G, when it clearly has no 3G functions other than internet browsing.
My last phone had video calling and in the two years I had it I used it twice and that was in the first week.
It's not on my new iPhone and I couldn't give a flying fcku.
And as for multi tasking on a windows platform, thats a great idea (for running a virus in the background)
iPhone 3Gs does do tethering and is also multi-tasking. Read the full specs!
It definately is annoying. For such an "advanced" phone, why can't it do some simple, general and everyday tasks?
it is so apple can make 3gs usersfeel as though they need to update to the next model when the next model comes out with video calling - built in obsolence....
Apple has recently inked a deal with ACN (American Communications Network) which owns the controlling shares in Worldgate, the predominant maker of video phone, to put the ACN technology on the next IPHONE, which will allow video calling from IPHONE to IPHONE as well as video calling to ACN video phones. Mobile video phones. This is a natural progression in cell phone capability.
My sony was much better than this!wat the fuss! Am looking for buyer and get maself nokia n97
I am an avid apple fan and I hope with it's recent release in the Korean market it will evolve more swiftly. I love having video phone because my spouse is deaf/mute and it makes communication much easier. Texting is alright but not when I have to pay for phone service I don't use.
i phone is still a dinosoar. I had video calling in 2000 with my first video phone in australia,and use it often for work. The United States has such a mish mash obsolete phone Network, it is the only reason Apple could not or would not include a front facing camera and video calling. It is really a 2.5 g phone and not a pinch on HTC HD2.
Are you kidding me? I make two phone calls and the Iphone requires a recharge. Imagine video calls! hahahah...I was also laughing about Apple believes the Iphone could replace the Blackberry as a business phone! Hahaha whatever thay re smoking they should stop!
Once the iphone gets serious battery life then let's consider video calls, and carriers and whatever else goes with it.
iPhone cannot send files to other phones using Bluetooth, even very simple phones does now-a-days; And cannot connect to my laptop (Even APPLE MAC BOOK also) using bluetooth. What to do now ... So many drawbacks!
I got my iPhone 3GS from the mobile carrier but I didn't satisfy as my expectation such as applications, program not like my previouse HTC Diamond that can manage easily my docs, vid call, mms anywhere. Maybe iPhone is good only for those people a hobbiest of music and movie watching from their phone.
im very disappointed to find out that we can't use a video call for this iPhone 3G s coz its design a 3G ,and thats 1 of the reason why we bought the latest 1 ,now i still love my N82 coz i can use a video calling anytime i want!!!
i can't believe iPhone 3Gs cant use a video call thats makes me GGGGGRRRRRRRRR coz we just bought ours mine & my husband 2 days a go & we bought is cash were to excited ,,,but whats going on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You could use a mirror but that totally defeats the purpose of a MOBILE phone!
Video calls are good only for people who cant hear. I cant imagine my self beeing on toilet and having bussiness video conversation :).
When I had Nokia, video call was usable only for my wife so I could ask her if I shuld bring something from shop, or not. Then I used video call just to show her how article from shop looks like. But on the other hand, video quality was so poor, it simply wasn't usable.
With 4G video good quality video calls are now possible and will be very popular.
they say that IPHONE is the most ADVANCED smartphone in the WORLD!!!HHHHHAAAAAAAAAA HHHHHAAAAAAAA HHHHHHHHAAAAAA
It will never be the most advanced smartphone in the world because it will NOT have most of the important services......APPLE is a company that makes PC's(MAC's) not the most advanced smartphones.NOKIA is a company that makes THE MOST ADVANCED SMARTPHONES IN THE WORLD(N900 in a KILLER)......sa if u want a Mac got to apple,if you want a real advanced smartphone go to NOKIA,HTC,etc.....
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