I was watching the Apple WWDC keynote today. I'm a little behind on my Apple following.
Jobs was busy explaining all the new cool features in the iPhone 4: Gyroscope, front facing camera, HD video recording, video editing, glass back, better antennas, etc.
Day Two (6/25/2010): People are still waiting for iPhone 4
As I was listening I started thinking about my Sony HD camcorder and how its days are numbered. If Apple decided to come out with an iOS camcorder it would blow away any consumer camcorder device Sony has in its lineup. All Apple would need is a nice lens with optical zoom, a good video camera case design, and good button layout. The rest they already have, the gyroscope for image stabilization, GPS, true in camera editing, connection to the internet, awesome video and image management interface, application platform (think of what third parties might do), etc. etc. All this stuff would leave Sony and every other camcorder maker in the dust and I doubt they could catch up... ever.
The iPhone is driving Apple to make the Swiss Army Knife of electronic gadgets. A device that can do it all. The thing is, it's also making the best in class tool for each category. There isn't another camcorder on the planet that has the power of iMovie built in or the simple touch interface that iPhone has.
The convergence of functionality around iOS is really powerful. The only thing limiting it is that the iPhone platform is meant to be a jack of all trades like the Swiss Army Knife. Sometimes you need or want the full-size version of the tools. Apple should use what it has done in the iPhone to make best in class single purpose consumer devices such as camcorders.
Ohh the possibilities...
I wish they would also build some automotive products such as a navigation system for Lexus.
