With macOS 13, Apple is introducing a new capability for MacBook users: The ability to turn one’s iPhone into a web camera for their MacBook.
With macOS 13, Apple is introducing a new capability for MacBook users: The ability to turn one’s iPhone into a web camera for their MacBook. Given the poor 720p cameras on the older MacBooks, it is much needed. Of course, it builds further into the seamless integration of the overall Apple ecosystem.
Apple announced this feature at WWDC 2022 keynote and in a developer session it has given more details on how this will work. The ‘Continuity’ Camera will require that both the MacBook and iPhone are on macOS 13 and iOS 16 respectively. Apple also states that both the iPhone and the MacBook need to be signed into the same Apple ID with two-factor authentication turned on for the account. When using the iPhone as a web camera, audio will also be detected from the iPhone itself. Here’s a quick look at some of the key features of the Continuity camera.
Works wireless and with wires
Apple says the setup will be seamless and that as soon as a user brings their iPhone closer to the iMac or MacBook, it will connect. A dialogue box will appear which will ask if the user wants to use the iPhone as the web camera. The feature works wirelessly and with a USB cable as well. Also, the two devices need to be in proximity and must have both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi turned on. Users will require a stand to make sure the iPhone stays in place.
Continuity camera will work on other apps
The feature won’t be limited to just FaceTime. Apple’s demo video showed it working for Zoom as well. So once developers adopt this, users will be able to rely on this for Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams and other calls. When a user opens a camera application for the first time, the app is launched using the built-in camera first, and then an onboarding dialogue shows up describing what you can do with the new Continuity feature.
Source:indianexpress.com