iPhone spy photo reveals forward-facing camera

The folks at iSpazio have posted a spy photo taken recently showing what they claim is the next-generation iPhone--with a forward-facing camera. Rumors about a future iPhone having this ability along with a video version of iChat have been circulating in recent months.

The rumors are more than likely the direct result of an Apple patent that was granted this past spring, which is one that could make this rumor a reality--but that does not mean much. Just like any patent there are features that may never see the light of day.

If the spy photo is the new iPhone, that forward-facing camera and video iChat would be a big surprise, especially if you consider how particular AT&T has been about apps like SlingPlayer with the potential to hog bandwidth on its network. AT&T says it has been working diligently to deliver a better and faster performing 3G network--so maybe we will have video conferencing on the go soon.

What do you think about being able to video chat on the iPhone? Will this iPhone be called the iPhone Video? Any ideas about what the rest of the sign says in the spy photo? Let us know in the comments.

by David Martin
Source: Cnet

Will the next iPhone have iVideo?

Cisco, others want to offer mobile video chat, so why not Apple?

The new iPhone hardware expected to ship this summer from Apple Inc. is rumored to have a video chat capability supported by MMS, among other new features.

Today's roundup of rumors and speculation about the upcoming iPhone hardware also suggest that there will be a 32GB model, a boost from the current 8GB and 16GB models.

But the reports raise questions about why the iPhone doesn't have an expansion card slot for unlimited storage capability, especially if users will be storing massive amounts of video from video chats, video streams off YouTube or other places.

Whether the iPhone will support video chat, or some version of real-time videoconferencing, was a big concern of some developers and analysts at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference last year. Some expressed disappointment that various video features were not included in the iPhone 3G.

In March, Apple said the new iPhone 3.0 software would support MMS, or Multimedia Messaging Service, along with 100 other new features such as cut-and-paste and stereo Bluetooth.

The MMS software reports indicate to some observers that the next iPhone (due out July 17, according to some speculation) could support iPhone video chat, which would be possible with a good camera and microphone and a fast wireless connection.

Kevin Burden, an analyst at ABI Research, said the question of the camera for video chat is not a trivial one, since Apple might need to have two cameras, one to face the user and one to face what a user might want to record in the distance. That issue has been a major concern of some manufacturers, including Nokia and Samsung, which have installed two camera lenses on a single phone, one on either side.

But it is questionable how high a priority video chat will be for Apple. "Our research shows that use of video chatting on existing devices is pretty darn small," said Ramon Llamos, an analyst at research firm IDC.

"Certainly video chat will be big for certain groups, but for the majority of people, that's not something you seek out and buy with a new phone," Burden said. "For the most part, that feature goes unused." He added that the next iPhone could, at least, use a flash to go with the camera.

While video chat usage on phones is not that popular, that doesn't mean Apple couldn't start a fad, just as it turned the MP3 player into a huge phenomenon with the iPod, the analysts admitted.

"Apple could take video chat and make it so friendly that it takes off," Burden added. "Yes, that's Apple's heritage, as with iPod. What works is all about delivering a personality to the device."

Video chat as the new killer app
Major communications equipment vendors seem to think mobile videoconferencing is coming, not just for younger users willing to try the latest fad, but also for business users.

"We envision the capability to have videoconferencing on mobile devices such as iPhone and BlackBerry," said Richard McLeod, director of collaboration solutions for channel partners at Cisco Systems Inc.

"Just as today people are looking at YouTube videos on mobile phones, we believe that you will use the camera on a phone to have the same video communications two ways," he added. "We think video is the killer app and will reinvent how business is conducted."

McLeod said call centers are already interested in having mobile users see a video while waiting on hold, perhaps one that will show an advertisement or deliver content based on the customer's profile. That one-way streaming from customer service could conceivably become two-way, analysts have noted.

Cisco recently purchased Pure Digital, maker of the popular Flip handheld video camera. "Our purchase of Flip video is one more step toward where we think video is going," McLeod added.

Earlier this year, Polycom Inc. CEO Robert Hagerty also discussed the potential uses and value of videoconferencing on handhelds.

Why stop at 32GB?
Meanwhile, Apple's rumored plans to include 32GB of storage raise the question of why Apple needs to stop there, and why it doesn't add an expansion slot so users can increase the storage limit to whatever they want.

Clearly, Apple controls what applications are used on the iPhone by not allowing sideloading through an expansion slot, the analysts noted.

"Internal storage keeps you beholden to the iPhone," Burden said. "It doesn't have an expansion slot, but that could be a great addition." Apple probably could add an expansion slot and still restrict what applications could be imported through an expansion card, he said.

But Llamos said Apple is likely to stick with no expansion slot for a while, restricting downloading of applications through the App Store in iTunes. Expanding to 32GB of storage would principally support the App Store concept, which has had more than 1 billion downloads in less than one year, he noted.

"The App Store is a runaway hit," Llamos said. "Why threaten that?"

By Matt Hamblen
Source: Computer World

iPhone 3.0 to have Video Chat feature

A new Apple patent filing suggests the next iPhone may have iPhone-to-computer video chat.

According to Apple Insider, a recent filing would lead many to believe that the handset will be equipped with a front-facing video camera and software which is capable of adjusting itself in the event a user is in motion utilizing the phone.

The first patent discuses interfaces which would be used when an person is moving. The patent discusses motion based gestures which would allow an person to navigate their cell phone intuitively rather than actually looking at the device, by doing things like flicking the phone. This would be great for people on the go constantly who use the phone during driving, exercise, or while riding a bike or walking.

Changing your music, or making a phone call could be done safely, causing little to no distraction. When attempting to use an iPhone while out for a run, or traveling between events it can sometimes be difficult to toggle between making a call and changing music tracks, it also causes a great diversion from the task at hand. An onscreen or bezel button would aid in the elimination of unintentional commands during every day and normal use.

An additional platform shows a motion detecting function which resizes the interface and additionally the icons when it senses that an person is either jogging, or walking, the interface then resizes buttons and fonts to make reading and selection simpler.

"For example, if the user wishes to view the contact information for 'John Adams,' the user touches the display over the area of the row for the contact 'John Adams,'" Apple says. "While the device is moving, the motion of the device can be detected. The device can change the size of the rows of the contacts in the contact list application to give the user a larger target area for each contact. For example, the height of a row can be increased. This gives the user a larger touch area with which to select a contact. In some implementations, the height of the toolbar can be increased as well."

A before an after image from Apple's new patent shows how the interface will enlarge text for easier reading and navigation when the user is in motion(Source: Apple Insider)

The icons will also be enlarged, allowing the user to be able to click them more easily.(Source: Apple Insider)

A patent for a front facing video camera is also depicted in the iPhone drawings. This would lead one to believe that video conferencing would potentially be adopted. The new camera would allow game developers to create new games that allow for interaction via video among users.

New Apple Patent Points at Next-Gen iPhone Video Chat Again

A new Apple patent on a motion-aware iPhone user interface points again at the possibility of a front-facing video camera for video chat in next generation iPhones. One that won't require the 3G videoconferencing kit.

The new patent describes a morphing interface that will adapt to the motion of the user. For example, if you are in a shaky bus, the elements on a list will get bigger so you can target them better with your fingers. In the patent, the drawings depict a front-facing video camera that—if implemented—will enable the possibility of having face-to-face real-time communications between two iPhone users or—hopefully—one iPhone user and a desktop iChat user. And yes, with "face-to-face real-time communications" we really mean video sex. [MacRumors]

by Jesus Diaz Source: Gizmodo.com