You say that it’s for teens on MySpace and for Grandparents:
a) I am a teen, barely any body I know uses Myspace.
b) My grandparents where more marvelled over the fact of a widescreen computer over a built-in camera.

Built-in cameras on computers are a basic feature these days, if there is a problem with iSight then there is a problem with either the webcam industry itself or with the operating system running the camera. While webcam and video-conferencing aren’t the standard as predicted 4-5 years ago, it is not much to Apples fault that the iSight would be seen as a ‘Failure’.

I don’t see anywhere that proves that the iSight is a failure, people use it – maybe not on a daily basis but who would use a webcam as a replacement to a phone or email – and as long as people are using it that is what really matters.

Take for instance netbooks and other laptops, I help many people search for a computer that they want as a desktop replacement. While it would be nice if I could get them to jump to Apple, it isn’t always applicable. But what I do notice is that when people are selecting their computer they tend to go towards a computer with the Webcam, simply because it has one. They may not use it, but people tend to think a computer which can afford a webcam is better than the Acer or Compaq without the webcam.

With not much of a problem being around the fact of a webcam, it would have to be a problem with the programs surrounding it. While people use it for Skype and similar, webcam would never be seen as a replacement to email communication. While it adds a personal touch, as you’ve mentioned, it is harder to archive and go back to. One major factor about the use of a iSight becoming more prominent is that MSN for Mac doesn’t support video calls. Live/MSN/Hotmail is still one of the most prominent programs used for chatting personally. Without the ability to use webcam on MSN for Mac, Mac users are left in the dark when it comes to using that program to conference via video. Which, quintessentially means we have once less use for the iSight.

The iSight is not a failure, it is just that you haven’t looked into all options as to why your early 2000 thinking isn’t a reality.

I couldn’t own a laptop without a front-facing camera.

Who wrote this article?

As for the desktops, we are already there with Skype’s latest client and in enterprises with enterprise video conferencing solutions from multiple vendors.

Tsahi

As for a front facing camera on the iPhone, I think apple is blowing it. It would have been smarter to include it on the iPad. I would buy and iPad for my girl in Peru if it had a camera, because all she uses our Macbook Pro for is surfing the net, watching movies and video conferencing with me and her friends and family. We have friends and family in Europe, Asia, the US and South America that we regularly stay in contact with through video chats. But a cell phone is still a cell phone no matter how smart it is. I use a cell phone when I am out and about and I do not want to have to stare at the screen while I talk. My video chats are better suited to my living room or laying in bed or generally hanging out at my home or office. As to the popularity of video chatting, everyone I know uses it all the time, but then I am living outside the US, as are more and more US citizens (and folks from all over) these days.

Just my two cents, good conversation though.

I’m still looking for solid statistics. How many people in The US own a notebook (mac or PC) with a built in webcam and how many of them actually use that for person to person conversations in an average week.

my work requires me to meet and evaluate how people use their computers and video conferencing isn’t at the top of anyone’s list that I’ve worked with.

The conversation ended with a question so I could hear how people use their iSight and thank you for responding with your experiences.

I use the built-in iSight in my laptop for iChat, Yahoo, MSN and Skype conferences with people across the country/world as well as taking snap shots with PhotoBooth. I also have an original iSight that I use sometimes because it’s just better quality than the built-in camera.

“iSight: What’s Happening?”
The answer is this author forgot about it while the rest of the world was using it as a major communication tool. Sorry you got left behind. Personally, I would venture to claim that the iSight and iChatAV are a major reason why “some” people choose to purchase a Mac over a Windows computer.

Are you claiming that because cell phone providers haven’t had the infrastructure in place to enable live, two-way video chat that Apple Computer’s built-in iSight has been forgotten? That’s comparable to saying because On-Star has not taken off for General Motors people are no longer buying Chevrolets.

“Of all of the system components on today’s Mac, I’d say iSight is just below the use of the superdrive.” You have got to be kidding?! You might want to ask around and hit up some of twitter followers before you make such bizarre claims. Who uses optical discs anymore?!