Since the iSight is made for internet-based videoconferencing, I don't think higher resolution is a priority. The average broadband connection cannot handle the resolution so why make a high-resolution camera.
Until last week, I would've said that wireless will be too expensive for the iSight. But in the post-Airport Express world, anything is possible. A wireless iSight will be cool, especially if they can make it under $200.
I'd like Apple to conceive an iSight2 based on a CMOS dot-matrix instead of a CCD matrix, so that some electronics could be introduced behind the dots (6-7 transistors behind a dot would be enough) so that real-time massively parallel image processing could be done quite easily : I'm thinking about morphological operations, to reduce noise for better image rendering, or for obtaining the skeleton of the image in real-time, which can be useful too, or even to simplify the compression process and unload the CPU...
This kind of devices already exist in labs (they're called retinas) and function well!
I can already think of an application for wireless iSights: Wireless security cameras that can be placed anywhere. The signal will be sent to a hidden computer for hard drive based high-quality recording. This recording can also be monitored remotely though the internet. You could monitor your store/office or maybe your babysitter. Apple can even make an iApp: iProtect.
Otherwise, you can use the the iSight for videoconferencing or iMovie making while you wander around the house shooting your kid as he moves from room to room.
I can already think of an application for wireless iSights: Wireless security cameras that can be placed anywhere. The signal will be sent to a hidden computer for hard drive based high-quality recording. This recording can also be monitored remotely though the internet. You could monitor your store/office or maybe your babysitter. Apple can even make an iApp: iProtect.
Otherwise, you can use the the iSight for videoconferencing or iMovie making while you wander around the house shooting your kid as he moves from room to room.
Then maybe an infrared receptive matrix could be a good point. Do you know if some dot matrices are both color and infrared receptive?
but then... wouldn't the camera use up batteries just like that? especially if they were AA's My Apple bluetooth mouse already needs its batteries replaced every 2 weeks...
but then... wouldn't the camera use up batteries just like that? especially if they were AA's My Apple bluetooth mouse already needs its batteries replaced every 2 weeks...
Yeah, it's always the battery. Apple could make so many cool things if they had better battery technology.
Wireless is a fun fantasy, but I don't see it as being very practical, or even very necessary. If the iSight changes at all in the next year I think it will just get a little smaller, maybe a different clip, and hopefully better low-light capability.
Where I suspect Apple will make great changes is in the iChatAV software. The way it handles audio now is good but could be much better. And some of the lighting problems could conceivably be corrected though software. Other things I'd like to see addressed are:
- improved compression/better quality video for slower broadband connections
- a 'streaming desktop' view
- one-way video chats
- multi-person video chats
Some of these features might require an unpdate to the iSight, but I think they may be more dependant on the capability of the user's computer.
This is possibly a marginal call, but Apple could consider releasing iSight2 and iChatAV2 for the PC as well. While the financial margins are not as good as the iPod, it would give PC users another chance to think about the great stuff we have in Appleland, and provide some additional contribution to Apple's financials. In addition, Apple might get additional negotiating leverage over the manufacturers through larger scale, thereby reducing the unit cost. Finally, Macheads could continue to nag-market to PC users who adopt Apple video conferencing as a solution, giving Apple a bunch of free marketing.
This is possibly a marginal call, but Apple could consider releasing iSight2 and iChatAV2 for the PC as well. While the financial margins are not as good as the iPod, it would give PC users another chance to think about the great stuff we have in Appleland, and provide some additional contribution to Apple's financials. In addition, Apple might get additional negotiating leverage over the manufacturers through larger scale, thereby reducing the unit cost. Finally, Macheads could continue to nag-market to PC users who adopt Apple video conferencing as a solution, giving Apple a bunch of free marketing.
I don't see any reason for Apple to NOT do things like these little hardware devices, tied to some cool desktop software.
iTunes + iTMS + iPod
iPhoto + iPhoto Store + iCamera
iChat + iChat VOIP Service + iSight
iTheater (iTunes-like replacement for QTPlater) + iTheater Movie Store + iPlayer (an iPod-ish, TiVO-ish video device)
Stuff like that.
I have thought, for a while, that Apple needs to re-defined itself less as a "computer" company and forgetting the debates about "Apple is a hardware company" vs. "Apple should become a software company".
Apple has some great expertise at the junction point between digital hardware and software that need not be relegated to simply personal computers. iPod is an example of this. There are others too. Apple seems to know how to bring people to what they want to do using software and digital hardware. Thinking of it this way, Mac is merely one example of how to do that.
I believe the future of the iSight is integration within Apple's Powerbooks and Monitors...A new technology to put the camera behind the screen (some sort of one-way mirror trick) and to track the users eyes so that you're always looking at the person to whom you are chatting. That will push the experience to the next level, since even directly above the monitor has you looking away...
Integrate it into TV's and build in an iChat client. Then Apple could have THE Killer App for the new age...A real video phone.
Comments
My wishlist:
Built in light like the SightLight by Griffin Technology or at least a bundle deal.
A universal mount that does not involve double-sided adhesive tape.
and higher resolution/frame rates
Originally posted by BeigeUser
Built in light like the SightLight by Griffin Technology or at least a bundle deal.
Yeah the SightLight is really cool, but I always thought Dr.Bott made it?
Who knows, both Griffin and Dr.Bott sell it.
Originally posted by TednDi
Wireless would be nice.
and higher resolution/frame rates
Since the iSight is made for internet-based videoconferencing, I don't think higher resolution is a priority. The average broadband connection cannot handle the resolution so why make a high-resolution camera.
Until last week, I would've said that wireless will be too expensive for the iSight. But in the post-Airport Express world, anything is possible. A wireless iSight will be cool, especially if they can make it under $200.
This kind of devices already exist in labs (they're called retinas) and function well!
Wireless would be sweet too, of course!
Otherwise, you can use the the iSight for videoconferencing or iMovie making while you wander around the house shooting your kid as he moves from room to room.
Originally posted by BeigeUser
I can already think of an application for wireless iSights: Wireless security cameras that can be placed anywhere. The signal will be sent to a hidden computer for hard drive based high-quality recording. This recording can also be monitored remotely though the internet. You could monitor your store/office or maybe your babysitter. Apple can even make an iApp: iProtect.
Otherwise, you can use the the iSight for videoconferencing or iMovie making while you wander around the house shooting your kid as he moves from room to room.
Then maybe an infrared receptive matrix could be a good point. Do you know if some dot matrices are both color and infrared receptive?
Originally posted by Ichiban_jay
but then... wouldn't the camera use up batteries just like that? especially if they were AA's
Yeah, it's always the battery. Apple could make so many cool things if they had better battery technology.
Where I suspect Apple will make great changes is in the iChatAV software. The way it handles audio now is good but could be much better. And some of the lighting problems could conceivably be corrected though software. Other things I'd like to see addressed are:
- improved compression/better quality video for slower broadband connections
- a 'streaming desktop' view
- one-way video chats
- multi-person video chats
Some of these features might require an unpdate to the iSight, but I think they may be more dependant on the capability of the user's computer.
Originally posted by BeigeUser
Yeah, it's always the battery. Apple could make so many cool things if they had better battery technology.
They need to get behind fuel cell technology. Longer Battery life.
Perhaps they could encode better video into some QT revision. Not so jumpy. more real time. This would make me want one all the more.
Originally posted by McCrab
This is possibly a marginal call, but Apple could consider releasing iSight2 and iChatAV2 for the PC as well. While the financial margins are not as good as the iPod, it would give PC users another chance to think about the great stuff we have in Appleland, and provide some additional contribution to Apple's financials. In addition, Apple might get additional negotiating leverage over the manufacturers through larger scale, thereby reducing the unit cost. Finally, Macheads could continue to nag-market to PC users who adopt Apple video conferencing as a solution, giving Apple a bunch of free marketing.
I agree. I just posted over here (http://forums.appleinsider.com/showt...threadid=43316) on the subject of iPhoto + iCamera.
I don't see any reason for Apple to NOT do things like these little hardware devices, tied to some cool desktop software.
iTunes + iTMS + iPod
iPhoto + iPhoto Store + iCamera
iChat + iChat VOIP Service + iSight
iTheater (iTunes-like replacement for QTPlater) + iTheater Movie Store + iPlayer (an iPod-ish, TiVO-ish video device)
Stuff like that.
I have thought, for a while, that Apple needs to re-defined itself less as a "computer" company and forgetting the debates about "Apple is a hardware company" vs. "Apple should become a software company".
Apple has some great expertise at the junction point between digital hardware and software that need not be relegated to simply personal computers. iPod is an example of this. There are others too. Apple seems to know how to bring people to what they want to do using software and digital hardware. Thinking of it this way, Mac is merely one example of how to do that.
Integrate it into TV's and build in an iChat client. Then Apple could have THE Killer App for the new age...A real video phone.