It's been posted at the BBHub website. Check out the art work for the new BlackBerry with an integrated camera.

http://www.bbhub.com/2006/07/07/worl...a-patent-appl/

The pictures are a little basic but it's a good heads up.

LOL the diagram of the BB looks like the really, really old monochrome BlackBerrys of yore.

That's what I was thinking, 957 anyone!

They're obviously just covering bases with the form factor. All the info really tells us nothing of any technical value, but at this stage what more can we expect.

Reading through that application and associated drawings as posted, it seems quite clear that this is NOT describing a BlackBerry with a digital camera, but rather a digital camera that can be operated remotely & wirelessly by a BlackBerry, and use the BlackBerry's screen as a remote camera screen.

Which, to me at least, begs a rather obvious question. If I'm going to carry a separate digital camera, just what is the attraction of having it display and be operated by my BlackBerry, vs by controls and a display on the camera itself. Lets see, I get to "aim" the camera while looking at the display on the BlackBerry, and then have to hold both to snap a picture. Thanks, but no thanks.

they already have remote triggers for cameras, obviously not bb's, BUT they exist for multiple reasons. I guess the main and most obvious would be for self portraits, if you want to get a snapshot of you and your friends you dont have to rely on the 10second timer...who knows...

Yep, I know they do - my current digital camera has a very nice, tiny one, works great! I just don't see the attraction of using the BB this way - sure, I can see what's in the viewfinder remotely, but if I don't like what's framed there, I STILL have to walk back to the camera to change it. And my current digital camera is a nice little weatherproof, 8MP model, somehow I doubt an external BlackBerryCamera is going to compete seriously at all. :shrug:

Maybe it's a camera that plugs into the data port like some other phones have. That could explain the "remote" camera control.

Like ya said...

Thanks, but no thanks.

I wouldn't jump for an external plug in camera. A built in one would be much more useful.

I suppose using external plug in camera (if it's true) rather than a built-in one is for security reason since BB is widely use in Govermental agencies where security is the upmost importance.

props. i just hope nextel gets one.

And the big deal is that you can then email the pic from your BB. Isn't that what everyone wants in a BB with a camera?

Just my $0.02
Rcbjr

Nope, not me at least. Lets take stock for a moment. Right now, I can carry two devices - my BlackBerry 8700c and my 8MP weatherproof digital camera with removable memory cards. If I'm taking pictures, I can put the BlackBerry away and use the digital camera as it was meant to be used - all by itself, only one item needed. The way this patent application (hoax?) reads, instead I'll have to USE both items simultaneously to take pictures - get the BlackBerryCamera out (likely a relatively crappy camera, compared to my current digital), point it at what I want a picture of - grab the BlackBerry and see if I managed to point the camera correctly - then while holding the BlackBerry and looking at its display, simultaneously grab the camera and adjust what its pointing at - then use one or more of the QWERTY keys on the BlackBerry to zoom the lens and then snap the picture - all the while having to hold and use BOTH devices simultaneously. NOW that I'm done with that, I can email the picture from my BlackBerry! Yeay! NOT.

The "big deal" about having a camera in my phone, for me, (if there IS a big deal) is ONLY to occasionally snap impromptu pics when I don't happen to have the (MUCH more capable) digital camera with me. If I haven't brought my current digital camera with me, why on earth would I have carried the subpar BlackBerryCamera instead??

I am one of those that has no desire for a camera in my phone. My Canon EOS digital is just fine. And I doubt that this is a hoax as it was just a patent application downloaded from the USPTO. BBHub is not know for posting hoaxes, however they do post most patent applications filed by RIM.

I haven't read the whole application so am not sure exactly how this might be implemented and won't comment on that. I just posted what I interperted the reason most people desire a camera implemente in a BB from what I have read.

Again Don't need anything to make my BB less reliable.

Thanks from Grand Prairie, neighhbor
Rcbjr.

I would like to see an external BlackBerry camera attatchment, that would be nice! IMO an onboard camera would be a HUGE mistake, and i seriously doubt we will see that.

NO CAMERAS IN BLACKBERRYS!!!!!
Thank you, thats all I have to say...

Stop SHOUTING...

chnaged mind about posting, sorry..