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Apple iSight No Longer Available
macrumors.com — Apple iSight no longer available on US online store. Hint at possible introduction of new monitors with built in iSights...?
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- Ireland, on 10/12/2007, -4/+55In other news the new Cinema Displays that will be announced at Macworld on the 8th of January will have built-in iSights and IR sensors. (what a surprise)
- bbrosemer, on 10/12/2007, -76/+2Here is the apple store search just for fun:
http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/6974002/wo/Ih6sjKiOQjLQ2JeEh6o1JlZYkeO/2.0.21.1.0.8.13.3.0.3.0 - slickfire, on 10/12/2007, -3/+89when are you guys going to realize that apple store links expire?
- forchilli, on 10/12/2007, -5/+7yeah thats a really old rumor i read awhile back
- penguindude15, on 10/12/2007, -4/+40What is you ended up getting 2 or more Cinema Displays? Just an idea, but could all of the built in isights work together somehow? Could you possibly create a 3d image of you with multiple isights?
- Roger, on 10/12/2007, -18/+4Do the built-in iSights have autofocus too?
- PathDaemon, on 10/12/2007, -5/+17And since I'm poor and not about to buy a cinema display, I'd better grab one of these while the stores still have 'em left.
- magicRob, on 10/12/2007, -2/+12Back in August MacRumors.com also suggested that they're being revised, especially since they can't sell them in Europe any more due to environmentally bad materials in them. It's all mentioned in this article.
http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2006/08/20060829225431.shtml - sych0, on 10/12/2007, -5/+6bah, what about those of us with ibooks!
- trylleklovn, on 10/12/2007, -11/+4"Could you possibly create a 3d image of you with multiple isights?"
Hey! Thats a cool idea.. Could you possibly do that with multiple normal webcams!? - Ireland, on 10/12/2007, -3/+10NEWSFLASH!!
By the way if Apple does indeed put iSights in the NEW Cinema Displays, and doesn't update their exernal iSights, i.e. stops selling them for good. They are not forcing you to buy a new Apple notebook, a new Apple iMac, or a new Apple Display. I just did a check, I found you can actually buy external-webcams made by companies other than Apple. Here's 45 to choose from, they are priced very reasonably too: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_pg_1/102-5043517-0108165?ie=UTF8&keywords=webcams&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Awebcams&page=1
Now I'll be the first to admit it will look like an alien-ship has landed on your Mac, but there's no denying there is options. If Apple does stop selling external webcams, it's message is clear, they not only believe a camera built into a display is a better idea than an external camera, but they are willing to risk people buying other companies cameras to proove it (by not offering them an option to buy theirs). If and when they put iSights in their new displays, I think it will be a precursor to all the other manufacturers joining suit. - HAKdragon, on 10/12/2007, -13/+5And how many of those work on Macs? Even under OS X, webcams have been extremely picky as to whether or not they work.
- RyeBrye, on 10/12/2007, -5/+10To the ***** above me who wonders if a webcam will work on a mac...
EVERY SINGLE FIREWIRE VIDEO CAMERA can be used as an "iSight."
/rant. - MaceSoul, on 10/12/2007, -3/+2That would be a pretty stupid thing to do. I'm normally not sitting in front of my monitor when using Chat. I've also used it with people to show them how to replace something in their computer. It's better to be able to move the camera around where you need it.
- Ireland, on 10/12/2007, -3/+2"That would be a pretty stupid thing to do."
What putting the web-cameras inside their computers??
Yeah you can tell it was a stupid idea already cause Apple's new Mac's aren't selling at all.
/sarcasm
Seriously though, you don't think it's a good idea? That's why you're not an inventor/innovator. Building-in web-cameras into desktops (right above the screen) was not only one of the boldest moves one of the main computer makers has done in years, but it will be regarded as a visionary move in 5 years time, when every other single computer maker on the planet has gotten on board and does it too! - xbudex, on 10/12/2007, -2/+2@RyeBrye
"EVERY SINGLE FIREWIRE VIDEO CAMERA can be used as an "iSight.""
True, but I don't think all usb webcams work. Most of the ones listed on amazon ( http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_pg_1/102-5043517-0108165?ie=UTF8&keywords=webcams&rh ) are usb, not firewire. - mbeckman, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0--->EVERY SINGLE FIREWIRE VIDEO CAMERA can be used as an "iSight."
Alas, they are all utter garbage compared to the iSight. There is nothing on the market as compact, elegant, intuitive, or cool as the iSight. Apple was forced to withdraw the unit by envrionmentalist wackos -- an excellent example of fear mongering hurting innovation and economic development with zero real advantage. Enviromorons, I call them.
- bbrosemer, on 10/12/2007, -76/+2Here is the apple store search just for fun:
- Matrixsjd, on 10/12/2007, -0/+10I kinda thought it was weird when it disappeared from the store I work at, and I couldn't find it on the Apple website either. Interesting. Just glad I bought one before they stopped shipping :)
- Ryan229, on 10/12/2007, -6/+25Glad until they upgrade them and you have Version 1.0 crap.
- chroko, on 10/12/2007, -3/+9Matrix, do you work at an Apple store?
If so, that doesn't give me hope for rushing down to my (not-very-local) computer stores this week and frantically try to find one that's still in stock - I tried to buy one online yesterday.
This is another of the horrors of being a Mac owner: Apple's products are more expensive than average (so no impulse buys), but their moves are so unpredictable (even for existing products) that you can never plan purchases. What the hell do I do now? Wait for a new revision (how long?) Get a terrible golfball cam that I'll hate? (and silently curse Apple for forcing me to buy?) - virtualball, on 10/12/2007, -11/+3Chroko:
I believe that you are an idiot. Nobody is FORCING you to read these rumors, and Apple isn't sending reports to MacRumors about them. The average person doesn't even know what MacWorld is! So why are Apple's moves so unpredictable? And if you really wanted an iSight, why would you care so much if theres a second revision? How is Apple forcing you to buy a "golf ball cam" just because YOU believe rumors and that YOU are too cheap to just pay for something you say you want? Thats like me saying that I want a Mercedes Benz but since I have a low-paying job, I have to buy a Toyota, now I hate MB for making me get a Toyota. What you are saying is completely rediculos. - Foma, on 10/12/2007, -2/+4This is not a rumor, virtualball. The fact that the link is at macrumors.com does not make it a rumor. Go to the apple.com store yourself: there are no iSights. I'm not too worried about a new revision coming out soon, but Apple's unpredictability in this regard is a valid complaint.
- nofxjunkee, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1i just sold mine for damn near retail price on ebay last month, and it was a year old (great condition though). maybe I should've held onto it if they're going to be in even shorter supply. ah well, not like I lost anything.
- psygnisfive, on 10/12/2007, -8/+2Matrix, if you DO work in an Apple Store, you should should shut the ***** up because you know what Apple's policy is regarding commenting on rumors. If you don't, well have fun. :P
- MauiMac, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1((( Try eBay )))
- yensed, on 10/12/2007, -2/+38Maybe a new iSight is on the way? Not everyone who owns a mac mini or mac pro use Apple monitors.
- KyleMistry, on 10/12/2007, -3/+10Here's hoping that they'll update the firmware to make it a lot more compatible with other applications. I'd love to have an iSight that I could use in applications besides iChat and iMovie, or the very few other for-fun-only apps.
- xoineg, on 10/12/2007, -1/+28maybe a higher quality and smaller iSight.
- Stopher, on 10/12/2007, -0/+7I just wish they had better drivers for some of my other web cams. They shouldn't really be blocking the use of non apple monitors especially since that's the way they market the mini.
- greenamp, on 10/12/2007, -0/+8@KyleMistry
What do you mean? I have a standalone iSight camera and can use it with everything that can take web cam input. And there is a nifty app called iGlasses that gives you complete control.
- stevepsharpe, on 10/12/2007, -10/+1Man I just purchased a 30" screen recently too :S - I have an iSight already, but I'd love an IR sensor for Front Row.
- MikeOSX, on 10/12/2007, -14/+28Perhaps a hint that nobody was purchasing it?
- threepio, on 10/12/2007, -5/+22Because their iMacs/Macbook Pro/Macbooks came with them built in? Or it's a three year old product overdue for renewal? Or they're rolling out a new line of flat panel displays with an iSight built in eliminating the need for a stand alone unit?
Speculation is fun. You, however, are not. - mediaphile, on 10/12/2007, -2/+13@threepio:
i don't see how new flat panel displays with built in iSights eliminates the need for a stand alone unit. just because i want a webcam doesn't mean i want a way more expensive flat panel display as well. - threepio, on 10/12/2007, -5/+8Well, mediaphile, that's the magic that Apple works as an all-in-one CE manufacturer. By continually pressing on to newer generations they:
a) keep their customers as return buyers
b) keep pressing their edge to market with new products and
c) can roll off older products that may eat into the business that a newer product will generate.
It's not about you, or what you want, it's about profit. (It's really shocking that more people aren't aware of this, or if they are that they choose to ignore it.) So you spend an extra $60-$80 on a panel - if you're an Apple customer, that's nothing. It keeps you in the fold, it keeps you up to date and it's also a little bit on the cool side. Is it the THE reason they're rolling off the iSight? No. But it's probably one of many. - mediaphile, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5@threepio:
Right. I see why they would include iSights in flat panel displays. That makes sense. But you're looking at it from the viewpoint of someone that's already going to buy the display, but now gets a display with an iSight. I'm looking at it from the viewpoint of people that want to buy an iSight, but don't have the extra hundreds or necessity to buy a new flat panel display when they've already got a monitor. Without a standalone iSight, for someone just looking to buy a webcam, the only choice is to go non-Apple, which does not equal profit for Apple. That would be like only including Front Row on certain Macs without offering the standalone software, which would close off many potential customers. - DPowers08, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1To support mediaphile's points, I am an eMac user (all-in-one display). I actually was just looking online for iSight info and realized it was no longer in Apple's store (though still on the hardware page). Anyway, I am interested in buying one. If Apple integrates it into a monitor, and kills the external model, then I will be out of luck, and Apple will have lost a sale. Apple seems to be touting the Leopard features that involve the iSight pretty highly (iChat, Photoboooth) and it wouldn't make sense to isolate users who will be upgrading, but not being able to use these features.
- threepio, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5Oh you poor kids! You only had three whole years to pick them up!
Ah well. Off to eBay with you. - darkyoshi, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1eBay on the eMac. Quite fitting, eh?
- threepio, on 10/12/2007, -5/+22Because their iMacs/Macbook Pro/Macbooks came with them built in? Or it's a three year old product overdue for renewal? Or they're rolling out a new line of flat panel displays with an iSight built in eliminating the need for a stand alone unit?
- beggersfunk, on 10/12/2007, -3/+2I hope is not the Apple Display with iSight and a build in IR i just bought a 23 inch Apple Display , i am hoping iSight plus IR combo that would be sweet.
- doppler00, on 10/12/2007, -3/+4This is a pretty bad idea for corporate customers. Most work places disallow cameras for security reasons, and if Apple starts building them into monitors, they are immediately going to lose those customers. I hope they plan to continue both versions.
- kevinmotel, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2perhaps a built-to-order thing? like choosing a matte of glossy screen on the MBP.
- gh0st121der, on 10/12/2007, -74/+7The sega master system is no longer availible is stores either....
Who gives a ***** about this? You apple fanboy *****.- igraham09, on 10/12/2007, -2/+19hahaha
dugg down in 3 - 2 - 1... - addrake, on 10/12/2007, -0/+11While I too really couldn't care less about this, I question it's association to sexual preference.
- mediaphile, on 10/12/2007, -4/+3And where's Sega now?
- ThugEsquire, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1@ gh0st121der
Hilariously idiotic. - MacParrot, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Dare to be stupid Ghost...dare to be stupid
- igraham09, on 10/12/2007, -2/+19hahaha
- ttkgeek, on 10/12/2007, -0/+14A smaller iSight with a newer design along with a built-in IR sensor would be perfect.
- terranaut, on 10/12/2007, -6/+3You don't really need an IR sensor, most digital video cameras can see IR light without any help at all, (just point and shoot a remote at your camcorder), just software which could interpret the flashes of IR light the camera picks up would work also.
- SpacemanSpiff01, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3@ttkgeek: Yeah, but then that web cam of yours would be powered up 24/7. Then after the fact, you would be wasting clock cycles on your computer, & security issues would arise, when in fact it would be easier to just build in the IR sensor to begin with.
- terranaut, on 10/12/2007, -6/+3You don't really need an IR sensor, most digital video cameras can see IR light without any help at all, (just point and shoot a remote at your camcorder), just software which could interpret the flashes of IR light the camera picks up would work also.
- waterdrop, on 10/12/2007, -19/+1Its called a Logitech web camera.
- JuyLe, on 10/12/2007, -0/+9Which is not mac-compatible, it is the point of the isight, yeah, really !
- SniperGX1, on 10/12/2007, -0/+9Its also alot easier to use an iSight in Linux. It is firewire so you can use a raw1394 stream with video4linux instead of messing with the USB camera crap that never seems to work correctly. Plus you can pull 640x480 video at 60fps which is nice. So for Linux users. iSight FTW. If you are that much of an Applephobe that you cannot stand the sight of it just throw a BSD or Tux sticker over the apple logo and pretend like its not there.
- stmiller, on 10/12/2007, -0/+14"Its called a Logitech web camera."
Which have terrible video quality and buggy drivers. You get what you pay for.
- Cymrubeats, on 10/12/2007, -3/+13The rumour is, no one actually wants to see you, so they weren't selling.
- bertram, on 10/12/2007, -0/+17but i'm Time's person of the year! everyone wants to see me.
- KyleMistry, on 10/12/2007, -2/+1Both dugg up for hilarity.
- ShawnC, on 10/12/2007, -4/+3I agree, Apple needs to develop a nice camera for under 100 dollars. Some of us that need to buy second hand Macs (I have a 15" Powerbook paid $300.00) would rather not spend 1/3 of the price of our Macs for a webcam. Either that or Logitech or Philips need to develop one.
- threepio, on 10/12/2007, -10/+4Aww muffin.
Get a job, hippy. - vagarach, on 10/12/2007, -1/+7Say I got a powerbook for $1. Then I buy a $100 isight for it. Can I really whine about how my new isight cost 10000% more than the laptop? What a senseless argument.
- vagarach, on 10/12/2007, -2/+1Clarifying: 10000% of the *price* of the laptop rather than 10000% *more* than the laptop :D.
- OdinEye, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Echoing Threepio, above - Apple doesn't "need" to do that. Unless you buy something "refurbished" directly from them, they see little to not profit from your purchase of a secondhand mac.
Not a slam on you for buying them used, mind you - it's just that not having something new designed for you is one of the downsides of buying second hand.
- threepio, on 10/12/2007, -10/+4Aww muffin.
- GregoryHarbin, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I was going to buy an iSight on Saturday, and then went to the store and saw they were gone. I hope a 2.0 is coming out soon, iSight has been due for a facelift. It wouldn't make sense to discontinue the product completely, as not everyone can afford an ACD or iMac (read: me).
- mikeod, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3So what are some good alternatives now that iSight isnt available?
- netdroid9, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2...Or maybe they're just not making any more for some reason..?
- ThePottsDome, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2I never use my iSight. I need a list of other applications it could be useful for.
- GregoryHarbin, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3http://www.evological.com/evocam.html
- ThePottsDome, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Thanks Harbin, just what I was looking for !
- coldfusion1970, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4Its about time you guys caught up.
Apple stopped selling the iSight in Europe ages ago.
http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=1830
There was a problem to do with the amount of lead used in the product. - moisie, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I thought they stopped selling them in Europe because they had some elements that didn't fit with stringent environmental standards. If so, they were probably selling off existing stock or orders or something until they could refresh the line and/or launch something different.
- SonofMaug, on 10/12/2007, -5/+10I thought they stopped selling them in Europe b/c everyone there is ugly. ;-)
Toothpaste FTW!- tizz66, on 10/12/2007, -6/+16I heard they've stopped selling them in the US because fat people kept trying to eat them.
- KyleMistry, on 10/12/2007, -1/+7I've heard they stopped selling them.
:U
- roxics, on 10/12/2007, -3/+2My prediction is this:
Apple is updating iChat for Leopard. So if a new iChat is coming and the current iSight has been discontinued, common sense would say a new iSight is coming for use with the new iChat.
Now one of the problems with iChat is that it's hard to find people to chat with, not everyone you know is a mac user. With that said I think it would be interesting if Apple made iChat compatible with Windows as well. But in order to do that they would need to have a camera people could use and what better camera then Apples own iSight? However many Windows users don't have firewire which is what the old iSight uses. So like the new 5G ipod, firewire will probably be replaced with USB2.0 so that the new iSight is both Mac and PC compatible.
With all this said I highly doubt the new cinema displays will have isights built in.- mbadolato, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1>> With that said I think it would be interesting if Apple made iChat compatible with Windows as well
iChat works with AIM on Windows just fine. I've used iChat for video conferences with people running AIM with an old eyeball webcam. - roxics, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1That's not the same as using Apple native software.
- mbadolato, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1>> With that said I think it would be interesting if Apple made iChat compatible with Windows as well
- bdub92, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2http://www.apple.com/isight/
It shows up there...- NikZ, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1True, but the "Buy Now" on that page no longer works (it just redirects to the store front).
However, it does appear that you *can* still buy them from the Australian & NZ Apple stores, albeit rather pricey. Scroll down, you'll see it listed under the "Mac Accessories" category (and/or the "Essentials" teaser).
http://www.apple.com/au/store (iSight = AUD$229 [~USD$178] ouch!)
http://www.apple.com/nz/store (iSight = NZD$269 [~USD$185] double ouch!)
- NikZ, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1True, but the "Buy Now" on that page no longer works (it just redirects to the store front).
- IMustBeEmo, on 10/12/2007, -15/+1Would you please stop with all this Mac rumors *****? A RUMOR IS NOT NEWS. It is spam, and I have marked as such. These sites do not deserve your attention or page views; leave them alone. It's posts like these that are ruining digg. When Apple really starts selling moniters with built in iSight, then that would be filed under Apple news.
- pierrefilms, on 10/12/2007, -0/+7You must be emo.
"Apple iSight No Longer Available" is a FACT. While the description may contain a rumor, both the title and article it links to simply state that the iSight is no longer available. MacRumors.com also reports news. Not just speculation. RTFA next time...it's pretty short.
- pierrefilms, on 10/12/2007, -0/+7You must be emo.
- theokandroid, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1It's been out of stock for a long time no at the Apple Store too.
- coryjb, on 10/12/2007, -4/+1I'm pissed. I just bought a Cinema Display. The same thing happened last year -- I purchased a PowerMac G5 and a week later my model was outdated. Go Apple!
- patentpending, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3And somehow your cinema display no longer fills the void for which you bought it? How does a new one change anything?
- crablin, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Maybe Apple are doing it to prepare for the release of the iPhone with a built in iSight that also has a 23" cinema display, an IR receiver, a Superdrive and 1TB of flash storage!
It's being announced tomorrow. It's not what I expected at all. I've said too much.- KyleMistry, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Prepare for backache, people.
- MikeyTwit, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I just got iSight this week for my pre-iSight G5 iMac from Apple's Canadian site. I was looking on ebay and the prices weren't much better than Apple. Now they will probably go up for those of us with older Macs that still are powerful enough for us. Whewwww!!!
- leffunov, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I just checked. That's sad, i should have got one while i still could have.
- Morky, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Anyone remember the Apple patent for a camera imbedded in a display (embedded between the pixels)?:
http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn9059 - N1XUK, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1In the UK apple retail and online hasnt sold the iSight for a little while now. I'm getting mine exchanged as it has a dead pixel or something.
The apple tech guy in store told me that they aren't allowed to sell it anymore due to it containing/using mercury somewhere along its product cycle. And that no apple stores are allowed to order in isights even for customer repairs. He was also perplexed when he couldnt figure out how to use the external iSight in photobooth etc on his MacBook, had to demo it on my iBook
Phoned up applecare and they will happily exchnage mine as its still within 12months warranty. However they want credit card details incase i dont send the "broken" one back! Well that would suck if you dont have a CC. Not to mention he refused to call it an iSight down the phone just "the replacement part" i get the feeling Apple aren't strictly allowed to bill for a replacement iSight as officially they can't sell them anymore due to mercury content.
Was tempted to try and argue for a refund, saying about "safety concerns regrding mercury" but i've now realised i doubt i'll be able to find another Firewire-DV camera for that price somewhere else. - kweber103, on 10/12/2007, -5/+1They still have this up
http://www.apple.com/isight/ - nontitle, on 10/12/2007, -1/+0Yeah, my eyesight is going too...
Wait, this is the apple iSight! not eyesight...
still doesn't look very interesting though... - MysticMaven, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0You know, some times I need a camera that can move. They should keep selling the stand alone isight as well as the built in ones.
- khyberkitsune, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0I can't do a camera in my monitor, I move my camera around too much to show people things on my desk or around my room. However, Camfrog for OSX is out, so I might grab myself one of these new macbook pros and see how it works on that platform.
- noseeme, on 10/12/2007, -3/+2Start speculating, bitches!
- xbudex, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5digg this down
- kern6960, on 10/12/2007, -2/+0I'm gonna vote that they're just out of stock for the holidays. I'm sure it is a popular accessory to give as a gift to the maclover in the family. Apple usually does a pretty good job of irradiating all evidence that the product even existed on their site (cept support area) when they remove something.
- ahuxley, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Mb a new auto focus usb 2 ready for itv and with less heavy metals.
- SeanClarity, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0I bought two this year as gifts. They are becoming more viable with the growth of built in isights in mac books. I would think that I am not alone, and that they are just sold out. It would not make any sense for apple to discontinue them. It's cheaper than buying a new monitor. It's one of the only gift giveable mac accessories (ipod, mighty mouse), unless you consider an iTrip a quality gift. And apple would not have a competitive item to third party cameras.
It's either being revised, or out of stock. - techsupportrich, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1The iSight was removed from the UK store months ago, along with the AirPort, due to a change in the law regarding the manufacture of items using dangerous chemicals. I think it was something to do with Barium in the iSight. They've been needing to redesign to be able to sell the camera in Europe so maybe that's all it's about.
Why would they put a camera in a monitor that costs as much as an Apple monitor? If you can afford the £2000 for a screen then you can pay the £99 for a web cam if you really want one. It's not like it would add to the "works out of the box" thing, because macs that don't come with a camera, also don't come with a monitor. - flaminio, on 10/12/2007, -2/+1Breaking news: Steve Jobs didn't take a dump today. This can only mean the iPhone will be released soon.
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