Apple's iPad configuration policies reference camera
AppleInsider has discovered that Apple's iPad management profile policies available to corporate users include the capability to disable use of its camera, providing evidence of future intent to include a camera on upcoming models.
Apple's configuration profile tools for iOS devices include a variety of settings and restrictions that companies can impose to regulate how the devices are used and to configure services such as VPN and wireless networking access or email, calendar and directory services.
Policies can also force strong passwords and set security features such as the number of times a password attempt can fail before the device wipes its data. Similar to parental controls, the policy settings can also be used to block access to features such as the iTunes Store, Safari, YouTube, or the use of its camera.
While iPhones do have cameras to disable, no iPad models currently do. However, among the profiles specifically included in its iPad documentation, Apple notes the ability to restrict camera use on the iPad.
iPad camera potential
Prior to launch, it was widely rumored that Apple's upcoming tablet might include a camera. When it shipped, Apple only provided the ability to connect to external cameras through its Dock connector, either via USB or using an SD Card reader adapter.
API support for camera, flash, and zoom functions were discovered in developer builds of the iPad-only iOS 3.2 in February.
While those APIs may have been added as part of software development work performed to support iPhone 4, Apple also posted job listings for a "Performance QA Engineer, iPad Media" which stated, "Build on your QA experience and knowledge of digital camera technology (still and video) to develop and maintain testing frameworks for both capture and playback pipelines."
Taken together, it appears likely that future versions of iPad will incorporate a camera, most likely a front-facing unit intended to support FaceTime. That video conferencing feature is currently limited to iPhone 4, but Apple plans to make it a widespread standard among mobile devices.
Apple's configuration profile tools for iOS devices include a variety of settings and restrictions that companies can impose to regulate how the devices are used and to configure services such as VPN and wireless networking access or email, calendar and directory services.
Policies can also force strong passwords and set security features such as the number of times a password attempt can fail before the device wipes its data. Similar to parental controls, the policy settings can also be used to block access to features such as the iTunes Store, Safari, YouTube, or the use of its camera.
While iPhones do have cameras to disable, no iPad models currently do. However, among the profiles specifically included in its iPad documentation, Apple notes the ability to restrict camera use on the iPad.
iPad camera potential
Prior to launch, it was widely rumored that Apple's upcoming tablet might include a camera. When it shipped, Apple only provided the ability to connect to external cameras through its Dock connector, either via USB or using an SD Card reader adapter.
API support for camera, flash, and zoom functions were discovered in developer builds of the iPad-only iOS 3.2 in February.
While those APIs may have been added as part of software development work performed to support iPhone 4, Apple also posted job listings for a "Performance QA Engineer, iPad Media" which stated, "Build on your QA experience and knowledge of digital camera technology (still and video) to develop and maintain testing frameworks for both capture and playback pipelines."
Taken together, it appears likely that future versions of iPad will incorporate a camera, most likely a front-facing unit intended to support FaceTime. That video conferencing feature is currently limited to iPhone 4, but Apple plans to make it a widespread standard among mobile devices.
Comments
BUT, look for it next year after they sell a boat-load of this version for Christmas.
...or this could have been someone being too lazy proofreading their copy/paste from the iPhone policies to the iPad policies document
The one thought I had was that Apple might wait until their Billion Dollar server farm is ready and deliver some of the iPad features through it.
As far as importance, right now that tis the primary reason why I don't have one already.
Of course there is going to be a camera, the question is whether 1 or 2. I'm thinking just front facing for facetime, but I could be wrong...
Probably one camera for 2nd gen iPad, plus a hole in the circuit board for the front-facing camera which will be postponed to 3rd gen iPad due to mysterious "technical issues"...
I still say a new iPad with a front-facing camera is coming in November.
And you're still incorrect.
I still say a new iPad with a front-facing camera is coming in November.
I think you're right. I know Apple normally sticks to a 12 month release cycle, but I think they may switch it up a little bit with the iPad 2. There are 2 reasons I think they may release a new iPad this fall.
1) Apple normally releases new hardware when they roll out a new version of iOS for a device. iOS 4 isn't coming to the iPad until this fall. It seems like they should be able to add the basic features of iOS 4 (folders, multitasking, iAd, ...) to the iPad no problem. I get the impression Apple is holding out for something more. New hardware?
2) To stay ahead of the competition. Other manufacturers are supposed to have their iPad "competitors" for sale around November. Some of these supposed competitors will have cameras and hardware that the current iPad doesn't have. If Apple comes out with the iPad 2 when everyone else is just getting their first attempts to market, Apple will completely blow them out of the water. Apple was WAY ahead of the competition when they announced the iPad in January. I think they are going to do everything they can to stay ahead of them.
I think the iPad will sell like crazy during the Holidays. (Well, it's already selling like hot cakes.) But, it will be the hottest device this Holiday season regardless if there is a new version or not. If there is a new version it will sell even more. I expect the iPad 2 will have similar prices to the current iPad, and Apple will knock off $100 of the current iPad and it will be the "budget" option. Imagine how many families will pick up an iPad for $400!
iPCU is also used with iPod touch and iPad. On those devices the camera setting is meaningless because there is no camera.
Nothing to see here. Move along.
I still say a new iPad with a front-facing camera is coming in November.
I heard the same thing from a woman who claimed to have been told this by an Apple employee that is a friend of hers during my night in the iPhone launch queue in Palo Alto June 23-24.
The iPad 1.0 is simply an unfinished product. It's great that it sold so well, but it's a very under-featured product compared to even a cheap netbook (I have both, I know first hand what each can do).
I still say a new iPad with a front-facing camera is coming in November.
November is a BAD time to do a significant update on a product that might be a big gift item. I don't remember any significant product updates happening in November/December, Apple has avoided significant October updates for several years as well.
iPhone Configuration Utility has had that checkbox for some time because it applies to the iPhone's camera.
iPCU is also used with iPod touch and iPad. On those devices the camera setting is meaningless because there is no camera.
Nothing to see here. Move along.
I agree.
I still say a new iPad with a front-facing camera is coming in November.
That seems highly doubtful. A couple of reasons:
1. They are already selling this one faster than they can make them.
2. It doesn't really fit with the Apple product rollout planning which generally goes on a yearly cycle.
3. They will have gotten all the kinks out of the manufacturing and distributing of this model in time for a Christmas rush. They won't be changing the product during the Christmas buying season.
4. What no one seems to have noticed is that Apple has very cleverly setup the following product calendar ensuring they have a fresh product (and fresh "buzz" about them and their products) all year:
January-ish: iMac
April-ish: iPad
June-ish: iPhone
September-ish: iPod (though they have done iPod updates in January in the past, lately it all seems to be September)
One new product per quarter. Slick.
That seems highly doubtful. A couple of reasons:
1. They are already selling this one faster than they can make them.
2. It doesn't really fit with the Apple product rollout planning which generally goes on a yearly cycle.
3. They will have gotten all the kinks out of the manufacturing and distributing of this model in time for a Christmas rush. They won't be changing the product during the Christmas buying season.
4. What no one seems to have noticed is that Apple has very cleverly setup the following product calendar ensuring they have a fresh product (and fresh "buzz" about them and their products) all year:
January-ish: iMac
April-ish: iPad
June-ish: iPhone
September-ish: iPod (though they have done iPod updates in January in the past, lately it all seems to be September)
One new product per quarter. Slick.
I just want to give some clarification for future reference: iMacs and Mac laptops are actually on a 9-10 month schedule. Their updates are not yearly.
Releasing a hardware product after October is suicide for maximum hardware sales (unless you WANT demand, like with game systems). Supply never reaches demand for products released in those months because manufacturing doesn't catch up. You have to deal with people who want a product ASAP in addition to the usual Christmas gift-buying crowd.
Unfortunately, it's unlikely that Apple will release a new iPad until next April. And it's really sad knowing that the Retina display pretty much destroyed the real beauty which is the iPad display. =/
November is a BAD time to do a significant update on a product that might be a big gift item. I don't remember any significant product updates happening in November/December, Apple has avoided significant October updates for several years as well.
That's true. In fact, after Fall announcements they've gone out of their way to declare their "holiday lineup complete."
Yes, of course there will be a camera in the iPad.
BUT, look for it next year after they sell a boat-load of this version for Christmas.
There's no way Apple will deliver an iPad with a camera next year. In September will be announced, in November available. Apple will not waste the opportunity of selling a lot more iPads in the Q4 in the Holidays season. That's what's gonna help them to sell 7.5-8 millions of iPads in 2010.
1 or 2 cameras? I'm pretty sure there gonna be 2 cameras, the flip feature is a FaceTime key, also, they know people will want to take pictures with it in the holidays.
And the iPod Touch (must be renamed iTouch) will gonna get them too, of course. This Christmas will be remembered as the FaceTime Christmas, and nothing will be the same after. BF/AF (Before-FaceTime/After-FaceTime).
Remember what Steve told us at the FaceTime presentation: "...and Apple will ship 10's of millions of FaceTime devices this year. 10's of millions of FaceTime devices". He made emphasis in this year and used the word devices clearly because he was referring to iPad and iPod Touch, but he couldn't say it, to maintain the secrecy.
And just when that iPad be available I'll buy one.
Support for FaceTime could also be rolled in, doneright it could be a significant feature for iPad and probably will be for a few iPods. The problem here is that Apple really hasnt finalized FaceTime yet from what i can see. So will FaceTime as a product be ready for a front facing camera on iPad. As to anybody thinking that a rear facing camera is coming I think you need to get a grip.
Dave