Last week, we posted a poll to learn about DeafMac.org readers’ plans for the iPad. Here are the results for the past week:
24% of readers plan to get the iPad on April 3rd, 17% are undecided about getting one until they actually get to play with one, 9% definitely won’t get one, and a whopping 50% of readers want to wait until there is an iPad that has a built-in webcam! That wait may be a long one, though. I’ve been waiting for a front-facing camera on the iPhone ever since the first one came out in July 2007 (though that didn’t stop me from finally getting one in 2008). I’m still waiting, Apple.
At first thought, the iPad seems like it should have a webcam, but after thinking about it and discussing the matter with friends, I think it would just be too awkward for us deaf users. You’d have to make sure you were sitting in a position to prop up the iPad correctly for a decent iChat conversation, keeping both hands free to sign with. How many of you feel annoyed by a caller on a z340 or P3 netbook that’s at the wrong angle? Those devices usually are placed below eye level making for awkward field of views, like you’re a midget looking up at a giant friend. IMHO, the iPad with a webcam would be as bad, if not worse than those.
What do you think, readers? (PS: We ARE working on a live webcast for April 3rd. Stay tuned!)
Mar 23, 2010Don’t forget the dock and keyboard which can prop iPad up at a certain angle. The only problem for now is the vast delay of iPad accessories. Another point is that iPad has BlueTooth coverage so you can use your wireless keyboard as well. (Be sure to position yourself away from your host computer at least forty feet away! It happened to me when using the Apple Remote and a few computers went into Front Row mode at same time!)
Mar 24, 2010John Pirone: Pretty much any app on the App Store is ready for the iPad. However it’ll have to run at 480×320 on the iPad’s 1024×768 screen, or be pixel-doubled to fill the entire screen. It won’t look that great. For more details on this, check out the official Instapaper blog for a developer’s perspective on the iPad.
As for the Kindle app for iPad, Amazon has no choice, really. The only reason they built the Kindle was because they wanted a platform to sell eBooks on. I think Amazon won’t admit it, but they’re smiling now that Apple has come out with the iPad. This means more good hardware will be out there to sell their books on. (and don’t forget about all the other tablets and me-too devices coming as well)
Mar 24, 2010Plato: Yes, the two docks from Apple will help with webcamming, but I would hate to have to go back to my desk just to talk on video. The iPad, just by its nature, will have us using it in more places than a MacBook. If I’m curled up in my favorite reading chair with the iPad, I’d rather stay there to answer a video call, than get up to go to my desk to dock it for the video call. :)
Also, you don’t have to be at least 40 feet away to use Bluetooth (BT), if I understand your concern correctly. I use my Apple BT Keyboard all the time with my MacBook Pro which is like 6 inches back, and 6 inches higher than the keyboard, and and they work together just fine. The Apple Remote works using infrared (IR) which is a completely different technology. You need to pair your remote to the computer you’re working with per Apple’s instructions to prevent the remote from putting everything within its range into Front Row! :)
Mar 24, 2010Genius: the 40 foot separation concept for B/T keyboard was in case if you use the same keyboard for your computer and iPad. The coverage fro B/T is about thirty feet. I see that the B/T and IR device pairing schemes are different. Steve Jobs may have something in his sleeve for a new pairing scheme for us poor human beans, who knows?
Mar 30, 2010There might be new iPhone front-face camera called iPhone HD a.k.a iPhone 4G under Verizon Wireless later this year.
Apr 1, 2010I still think a webcam on iPad is a great idea regardless of whatever perceived awkwardness may happen. There’s a keyboard dock that still lets you do video as if you were using your laptop/desktop. You also have the added flexibility of passing the iPad around or propping it up. I foresee a new device like Movie Peg which should clip onto the iPad to hold it stable wherever you are.
re: iPhone HD – I hope the rumors are true! Front-facing camera is badly needed!
BG
Sorry, comments are closed.
8:51 am
I agree with you re: webcam angles! It’ll be inconvenient for most of us.
I read one article that there are 150,000 IPAD applications already! I am sure that most of them are upgraded from iphone apps. Another article says that the sale of kindle sharply drops after the announcement of IPAD and what’s amusing is that Amazon develops a kindle application for IPAD. They know they have no choice.