Got a tip for us? Share it...

Apple to Release an 'iSight HD'?


One reader has found references to an unreleased High Definition USB iSight in Apple's QuickTime system files. The line is specifically labeled "Next Generation USB iSight" in QuickTime's localizable.strings and also carries a reference of 'iSight HD'. We're not sure how old this reference is, but a quick Google search shows no previous discussion of it. Still, it remains possible that this could be an old reference to a project that is no longer planned.

The iSight was an external Firewire webcam that Apple sold between 2003 and 2006. Apple stopped selling the stand-alone iSight in December of 2006. Apple has since integrated iSight cameras into their laptops and iMac, but their external displays remain camera-less.

Top Rated Comments

(View all)

48 months ago
nice...

how sweet would that be to have a new isight with new displays for mac pros.

or even higher res in macbook, air , pro and imac
Rating: 0 Positives / 0 Negatives
48 months ago
Cam girls in HD, here I come!
Rating: 0 Positives / 0 Negatives
48 months ago
Now this, I would LOVE to see!

...literally, haha.
Rating: 0 Positives / 0 Negatives
48 months ago
I predict a iSight HD (Mac + PC) rollout next June to coincide with the new iPhone with video chat. Also iChat for Windows. That way both Windows PCs and Macs can video call each other as well as call iPhones, and iPhones can call both Macs and PCs with the service installed.
Rating: 0 Positives / 0 Negatives
48 months ago
This has been there since atleast September 10th, 2007 and 10.4.10.

http://techslaves.org/index.php?PHPSESSID=vorr3kjeu535qc3s18nh6740n1&action=tpmod;dl=item16

I installed this exact file onto my system previously because I actually deleted it by accident when I was installing a plugin for Quicktime.

Here's a screenshot.
Rating: 0 Positives / 0 Negatives
48 months ago

I predict a iSight HD (Mac + PC) rollout next June to coincide with the new iPhone with video chat. Also iChat for Windows. That way both Windows PCs and Macs can video call each other as well as call iPhones, and iPhones can call both Macs and PCs with the service installed.


all to go along with new acds
Rating: 0 Positives / 0 Negatives
48 months ago
seriously, who FINDS this stuff?!
Rating: 0 Positives / 0 Negatives
48 months ago

seriously, who FINDS this stuff?!


I know really, it took me 3 minutes just to go through all the subfolders to get to it.
Rating: 0 Positives / 0 Negatives
48 months ago
It's about time. The 640x480 resolution on the current iSights is pathetic.
Rating: 0 Positives / 0 Negatives
48 months ago

I predict a iSight HD (Mac + PC) rollout next June to coincide with the new iPhone with video chat. Also iChat for Windows. That way both Windows PCs and Macs can video call each other as well as call iPhones, and iPhones can call both Macs and PCs with the service installed.


It's plausible, but why would Apple go back rather than forward? As the article states Apple discontinued the line of standalone USB iSight cameras in 2006, and seeing as though this would be the only logical way they could bring iSight to PC, I just can't see it.

However Apple just loves building eco-systems and interconnectivity between it's products. We can see this with iPod, Mac and iTunes ...
so the iChat integration you are depicting could happen.

R-Fly
Rating: 0 Positives / 0 Negatives

[ Read All Comments ]