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Jobs defends lack of camera on iPod touch

updated 12:00 pm EDT, Thu September 10, 2009

First post-event interview

The third-gen iPod touch has not been given a camera because Apple wants to think of it as a gaming device, according to company CEO Steve Jobs. Speaking with David Pogue of the New York Times, Jobs attributes the marketing shift to public demand. "We started to market it that way, and it just took off," he says. "And now what we really see is it’s the lowest-cost way to the App Store, and that’s the big draw."

"So what we were focused on is just reducing the price to $199," Jobs adds. "We don’t need to add new stuff. We need to get the price down where everyone can afford it."

The announcement of a Touch camera yesterday was considered all but certain by many observers, in no small part because of a leaked prototype, and retail-ready cases with a lens cutout. A camera is in fact built into the fifth-gen iPod nano, a still cheaper and slimmer device. Reports have suggested that Touch camera production may only be experiencing technical difficulties, forcing a delay of the feature's introduction.

Jobs separately notes that the reason for limiting the Nano's camera to video recording involves size. A sensor for proper photography, the executive points out, would be too thick to fit in the Nano's current case design.

The executive has refused to comment directly on the prospects for an Apple tablet, but nevertheless criticizes "dedicated devices" like the Amazon Kindle, which he suggests will always remain a niche product because of a strict emphasis on e-books. Multi-purpose electronics "will win the day," he says.

Commenting on the aftermath of his liver transplant and six-month medical leave, Jobs explains that he still needs to gain approximately 30 pounds. This currently involves eating "a lot" of ice cream, he says, to restore a proper body weight.

 
Previous Comments

LOLwut? Srsly?

09/10, 12:24pm reply

Apparently Jobs has failed to notice that all the competition are putting cameras in their gaming devices. Wow. Way to come up with a lame excuse.

heavyboots

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Dec 2003

+3

Gaming device

09/10, 12:28pm reply

I'll just repeat heavyboots remarks...gaming devices come with cameras.


Jonathan-Tanya

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Oct 2004

+1

It an iPOD!

09/10, 12:40pm reply

Gaming device, my a$$! It's an iPod, mainly used for music, photos, movies, etc.
It could have, at least, had an FM tuner.
Watch, when the iPhone is updated, they will have the "new" Touch with camera.
Steve is out of TOUCH on this one.

bluejammm

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Jul 2006

-4

Rubbish

09/10, 12:48pm reply

You mean to tell me Jobs you're never going to put a camera in the iPod touch? Complete twaddle. This is all about marketing and having something to put in the next revision. I'd stake a hefty sum of money on there being a camera in the next revision or two. Then they'll be spouting more marketing gibberish "oh well we feel now is the right time for a camera blah blah". This is lame, there should have been a camera in there end of story.

jonboy

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Jan 2008

+6

hypocrisy...

09/10, 01:03pm reply

How can Steve Jobs criticise the Kindle as a "dedicated device" and then describe the Touch as a device dedicated to gaming as the excuse for omitting the camera? Personally, I was hoping for GPS and magnetometer more than a camera. Also, third party accessory manufacturers are given prior details of upcoming devices under NDA. There is no doubt that the cases with a camera hole were manufactured to those specifications. Consider also that the conditions of the NDA include not disclosing the restrictions of NDA so there are angry manufacturers out there who can't even discuss what they're not allowed to talk about. The first rule of Apple Club is that you do not talk about Apple Club...

Feathers

Forum Regular

Joined: Oct 1999

-1

Steve needs less meds....

09/10, 01:03pm reply

I have to agree with most of the posters on the web, that a camera should have been added this time, and that it is likely a marketing ploy. If not, it means Apple ( =Steve ) is out of touch with their market, completely. I have a 3GS and a 1st gen 'touch, and like MANY people I know, was prepared to buy a new 'touch for themselves, or for a family member. Now Apple will miss out on the whole fall/winter season. Just having a speaker wasn't enough of an incentive for most of us to upgrade - it was the expected camera that had us ready to buy. I think the excuse about 'costs' is lame, and it could easily and cheaply been added. Apple needs to calculate what the real cost is here - lost sales! Of course, Apple thinks everything they do is perfect, and this is evidence that they are wrong. As a stockholder, I'm even more disappointed and a bit angry at them.

danangdoc

Junior Member

Joined: Jan 2007

0

missed the boat

09/10, 01:28pm reply

They are still hung up on handicapping the Touch so it doesn't compete with the iPhone. How about improving the Touch to more likely grab those who don't want an iPhone? If the Touch is the gateway to the app store why don't they make it so I can buy GPS and camera requiring apps for my Touch? I would love to be able to use pics in Evernote or some of the price scanning apps or GPS apps on my Touch but I am not going to AT&T for it!

doctorwinters

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Sep 2008

+6

Gaming

09/10, 01:36pm reply

I bet it has to do with trying to cramp in everything into this thin device. It's like "Should I implement OpenGL chip for gaming or camera chip for photo and video" type of thing without adding extra inch to its thinkness. The last thing you want to hear is the new line of iPod is 1/8 inch thicker than the last one.

coffeetime

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Nov 2006

+1

comment title

09/10, 01:44pm (2 replies) reply

if price was so important, why not keep the previous model/spec/design AND introduce a top-end model with camera/gps/compass etc etc.

mullum

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Oct 2007

+1

Would Have Bought One

09/10, 03:08pm reply

A touch with a camera would have replaced my 1 gen touch, Looks like they saved me from having to buy one.

torpeau

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Jul 2009

+3

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