Breaking Down One of macOS Ventura’s Most Anticipated Features
Let's meet iPhone as a webcam
The anticipated macOS 13 Ventura operating system will bring several exciting new features. In particular, we can expect an improved Spotlight with several new options, so-called access keys for better security, the ability to edit already sent messages within iMessage, a new system for organizing windows Stage Manager, improved design, and much more.
Also, getting significant attention is a new feature within the camera via Continuity. Indeed, with the help of the new macOS 13 Ventura and iOS 16 operating systems, the iPhone can be used as a webcam to achieve maximum image quality. Of course, this will work wirelessly without worrying about complicated connections or other difficulties. At the same time, this innovation is available across systems.
So it will not be limited to selected applications. Still, on the contrary, it will be possible to use it anywhere — whether in the native FaceTime solution or during video conference calls via Microsoft Team or Zoom, on Discord, Skype and others. So let’s look at this highly anticipated news together and break down what it can do. There’s certainly not much to it.
iPhone as a webcam
As we mentioned above, the core of the news itself is that the iPhone can be used as a webcam in any application. The macOS operating system will work with the Apple phone as with any external camera — it will appear in the list of available cameras, and you just need to select it. The Mac will then connect wirelessly to the iPhone without the user having to confirm anything. At the same time, it is important to note the overall security in this respect.
The moment you use the iPhone as a webcam, you won’t be able to work on it. Apple has a good reason for this, of course. Otherwise, in theory, you could be using your phone normally and not have the slightest idea that someone nearby could be viewing what’s in front of you on your Mac. So Mac users will finally get a high-quality webcam — on iPhone. After all, Apple computers have long been known for their low-quality webcams.
Although Apple has finally started to improve them, opting for 1080p cameras instead of 720p, it’s still nothing groundbreaking. The main advantage of this innovation lies in its simplicity. Not only is there nothing complicated to set up, but more importantly, the feature works anytime you have an iPhone near your Mac. Everything is snappy, stable, and flawless. Even though the image is transmitted wirelessly, to make matters worse, macOS 13 Ventura can also utilize all the advantages and capabilities of today’s iPhone cameras.
For example, we can also find an ultra-wide-angle lens found on all models since the iPhone 12 series. In this case, it is possible to use the computer with the Center Stage function, which automatically focuses the shot on the user, even when he moves from side to side. What’s best of all, however, is a tweak called Desk View, known as Desk View in English.
The iPhone mounted on the MacBook cover, which points directly at the user (straight on), can also provide a perfect shot of the desk thanks to the ultra-wide angle lens. Although the image in such a case has to contend with unprecedented distortion, the system can process it flawlessly in real-time and thus provide a high-quality shot of the user and his desktop. This can be used, for example, in various presentations or tutorials.
Continuity
As the name suggests, the ability to use the iPhone as a webcam is part of the features that fall under Continuity. Apple has been focusing more on this in recent years, bringing us features to make our daily lives easier. It’s no wonder. One of the strongest features of Apple’s products is the interconnectivity between products across the entire ecosystem, and that’s where Continuity plays a vital role. In simple terms, where Mac’s capabilities aren’t enough, the iPhone is happy to help. What do you think of this news?
Using your iPhone as a webcam
Apple introduced this functionality to us as hot news in the upcoming iOS 16, but this functionality has been with us for a long time, thanks to third-party developers.
EpocCam
EpocCam has already reached five million satisfied users, making it one of the most popular webcam apps. EpocCam turns your iOS device into a webcam for both Windows and macOS and can replace a USB camera or integrated webcam to a great extent. It works with platforms like Skype, Streamlabs OBS, Google Chrome, and QuickTime and has found great popularity amongst YouTubers and streamers.
Setting up EpocCam is simple — just install the appropriate drivers on your computer and follow the instructions. Connection is completely automatic with no manual setup required, and you can connect your iOS device via Wi-Fi or cable. EpocCam offers high-quality streaming to your computer, support for both front and rear cameras of your mobile device, support for Newtek NDI streaming, and support for using your mobile device to record audio.
Presence
In terms of features, options, and benefits, there is no It allows you to stream footage from your iPhone to another device. In addition to watching content, you can use that device’s microphone to communicate.
Of course, a motion detection feature can send you alerts if there’s movement, or perhaps the ability to remotely activate the mobile device’s camera flash for better visibility. But the Presence app also offers one more huge advantage: free 50MB cloud storage, which is especially useful if you need to save a recording of detected motion instantly.
iCamSource Pro Mobile
The iCamSource Mobile app allows users to live stream audio and video from their iOS device’s camera and microphone to another mobile device. The app can also set up encrypted alerts on Apple Watch in certain circumstances if your iOS device’s camera detects motion in the area.
In addition, the iCamSource Mobile app also offers support for push notifications and recording the detected motion itself. It’s especially useful for users who want to turn their iOS device into a security camera or baby monitor. The app then automatically backs up all motion records to the cloud.
AtHome Camera
The creators of the AtHome Camera app describe their creations as unique. It will not only allow you to monitor the transmission from your iPhone on your computer remotely but also the other way around — that is, remotely monitor your computer with the help of your iPhone. The app is divided into two parts — one is in charge of “broadcasting,” and the other is in charge of monitoring.
Both parts can be run on a Mac, a Windows PC, and smartphones and tablets. It allows both listening and recording on the device you’re broadcasting from at the time, making the app a great tool for creating an impromptu baby monitor. The app has a motion detection feature and the option to be alerted when motion is detected. It is free with an upgrade option.
Let’s think together about the potential problems
The weight of the phone
The biggest problem seems to me to be the weight of the phone itself, one can assume that apple intends this feature for use with an iPhone without a case, but even so, it will be a substantial load on the lid of the MacBook itself so that one can assume arbitrary opening to an extreme position resulting in a bad camera angle.
Latency
For the transmission itself, since it is wireless, latency is to be expected. The question is whether applications using the iPhone as a camera compensate for this.
Security
I haven’t found any mention of how video and audio transmission will be secured if the iPhone is used as a camera, so couldn’t the transmitted data be misused or replaced?
Desynchronization
The picture and sound may not be synchronized due to wireless video transmission, but this transmission can be induced via cable.
Final thoughts
If I think about the use, it may sometimes make sense. Still, considering the price of the MacBooks, it might be better if Apple came up with a better camera directly built into the body of the MacBook rather than something that has been offered before by some paid apps in conjunction with OBS (Open broadcast software).
The question is whether this is supposed to be a fix for a cool new feature or whether Apple has run out of ideas of its own and is using what others have already come up with, only in a new and innovative form of adding a phone to the lid of the MacBook.
Another question that comes to my mind with this is how Apple will eventually behave when the weight of the iPhone damages the hinges or the MacBook display itself. After all, we will use the iPhone as Apple has shown us.
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