First look: Camera for iPad
No, it's not a hardware device, but Camera for iPad (US$0.99) can help out those frantic iPad users who are wondering how the heck they're going to survive without a by-God camera built into their latest Apple toy.The app is universal and runs on both iPad and iPhone. In fact, the camera in the iPhone is what ends up being the real "Camera for iPad." Installing the app on your iPhone and iPad allows the two devices to find each other via Bluetooth. When they're linked, everything that the iPhone camera is seeing is transmitted to a window on the iPad. Press a button on the iPad, the iPhone snaps the photo, and then the photo is transferred -- slowly -- to the iPad.
The idea is pretty cool, and it does provide a way to get photos into your iPad until that Apple Camera Connection Kit actually hits the stores. The slowness I'm talking about in the previous paragraph is not a fault of the app, but the fact that Bluetooth is being used for the file transfers. It doesn't have anywhere near the speed of Wi-Fi, but you will be able to shoot and transfer photos anywhere; there's no need for the two devices to be on the same Wi-Fi network.
Possible uses for this could include the ability to set up a local webcam, a clever way to catch an iPhone thief in the act, or it could be used just for fun; the kids would likely enjoy being sent out around the house to act as remote cameramen. When you see something you like, you take the photo. It's a lot of fun, and inexpensive as well (provided you've already spent the $1,000 or so dollars for your iPhone and iPad).
Share
Categories
No, it's not a hardware device, but Camera for iPad (US$0.99) can help out those frantic iPad users who are wondering how the heck they're...
Add a Comment
can exactly chatroulette with it tho can you? ....
April 08 2010 at 7:32 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyEither app option brings us half-way to video-chat on the iPad. The respective devs just need to offer their iPad-sided code as a plug-in to a video-chat provider, say Skype.
April 07 2010 at 2:36 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyThis is a great app, and for a dollar you can't beat it. The coolest way to get photos onto your iPad is through Eye-fi wireless card. There is a free app that allows you to download photos or movies from any digital camera that uses an SDHD card directly to your iPhone or iPad via wifi.
April 07 2010 at 2:18 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyYes, how does this differ from Camera A Camera B, which I downloaded last night?
April 07 2010 at 1:56 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply>>Aren't developers allowed to make peripherals for the iPhone (and now iPad)? Why aren't companies making keyboards, cameras, etc. that connect to the 40 pin connector? There's plenty of people complaining about the lack of said devices, why don't they do something about it and make some money in the process?
April 07 2010 at 12:56 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyCamera a/b is for 3Gs only, it won;t work with 3G.
that said, I've got Camera for iPad, and I can't get the damn things to connect. They see each other, but just sit there "waiting" for each other to do something. But neither one does.
Tech support here I come...
Aren't developers allowed to make peripherals for the iPhone (and now iPad)? Why aren't companies making keyboards, cameras, etc. that connect to the 40 pin connector? There's plenty of people complaining about the lack of said devices, why don't they do something about it and make some money in the process?
April 07 2010 at 12:14 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyDon't know that I would use it but it's nice to see people getting innovative like this!
April 07 2010 at 12:01 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyPretty neat.. I'd probably never use it, though.
April 07 2010 at 11:56 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyCan't wait for Griffin or even possibly Apple to make a short wire tether to allow the connectors on the pad and the phone a direct link. That would allow a position anywhere camera without either BT or WiFi overhead so video conferencing, tethered photography, video etc. would be possible.
The notion of having a built in camera for the pad has too many issues in terms of positioning the pad, but a freely flexible iphone as camera attachment would be great.
Hot Apps on TUAW
Deals of the Day
more deals- Verizon Leather Sleeve for Tablets for $4 + free shipping
- Wicked Jaw Breaker Noise-Isolating In-Ear Headphones for $6 + free shipping
- Refurb Apple MacBook Air Laptops: 12" 64GB SSD for $699 + free shipping
- JVC Motion Sensing Clock Radio with Dual iPod Docks for $55 + free shipping
- Apple iPhone Headset with Mic for $4 + $2 s&h
- Refurb Apple iPod nano 8GB MP3 Player for $99 + free shipping, 16GB for $119
Software Updates
more updates- EFI Firmware Update brings Lion Internet Recovery to 2010-model Macs
- OS X Lion 10.7.3 released with Safari 5.1.3, Wi-Fi bug fix
- Aperture updated to 3.2.2, addresses Photo Stream issue
- Apple updates Keynote to address Lion issues
- Google Search app gets new look on iPad
- Apple releases Apple TV Software Update 4.4.3
Featured Stories
more stories
Popular Stories
TUAW (or The Unofficial Apple Weblog) is a website devoted to tips, reviews, news, analysis and opinion on everything Apple.
18 Comments