One of the WWDC 2022 announcements that piqued our interest was Apple’s Continuity Camera. This feature turns an iPhone running iOS 16 into a dedicated MacBook webcam. Apple also describes the strengths and reasons for its existence.
- Continuity Camera turns your iPhone into a MacBook webcam
- Continuity Camera provides different video effects such as studio lighting
Apple Continuity Camera for macOS 13 and iOS 16
The obvious benefit of using an iPhone as a webcam for a MacBook is image quality. The iPhone’s ultra-wide-angle sensor is better than the tiny module above the MacBook’s screen. Apple showed off a variety of continuous interworking camera effects, including center stage, software that tracks you and keeps you centered. This gives the illusion of panning the camera moving from side to side.
Apple has also enabled the studio lighting feature known from its Camera app, Continuity Camera that supports both landscape and portrait orientation. Other video effects are also possible, and Apple has provided the necessary APIs for developers.
Working with this new feature is Desktop View, which intelligently crops the image created by the ultra-wide camera and displays the content on the desktop in a separate window. Perfect for unboxing, showcasing the evolution of your craft or new manicure.
After trying this function, Apple Insider Call it “Shirt View” because the ultra-wide camera doesn’t seem to be wide enough to capture the desktop all the way to the front edge of the MacBook, as shown in the screenshot below, taken from a WWDC presentation. This feature is probably best for people with large desks And someone who uses a MacBook and an external keyboard and mouse on a stand.
Apple’s Continuity Camera offers different video effects such as Desk View / © Apple
Video and still images can also be captured using a connected iPhone. Depending on the effect, the maximum video resolution is 1920 x 1440p, 30 or 60 FPS.
How does a continuity camera work and what are the requirements?
To mount your iPhone on top of your MacBook screen, all you need to do is attach it to the Magsafe stand, but wired connections are supported. Belkin is one of the accessory suppliers mentioned by Apple. However, there is no pricing yet for their custom support. Once the iPhone is in place, your MacBook automatically detects the device without requiring the user to unlock it.
Since the iPhone is now recognized as the system camera, a continuous interworking camera appears anywhere in macOS where a camera can be selected. Apple says its Continuity Camera will support FaceTime, Zoom and Microsoft Teams, as well as other video conferencing apps. Camera options for enabling studio lighting effects, the aforementioned desktop mode, or microphone sound isolation can be accessed through the Mac’s Control Center.
Only a compatible iPhone running iOS 16 and any MacBook running macOS 13 Ventura can run Apple’s “Constant Camera.”
What do you think of Apple’s Continuity Camera concept?