Unfortunately, Apple’s webcams on its Mac computers have been a joke for the past few years due to their low quality, but a DIY support seems to finally improve this when macOS Ventura is released.
While we’ve seen improvements to the front cameras on Apple iPhones over the past few years, with features like filters, Portrait mode and more added, the lower quality on the Mac has remained the same.
This was brought to the forefront when Studio Display launched in March. While a software update tried to fix the bugs with the blurry webcam streams, it didn’t seem to improve the quality much.
However, there is a new 3D printed stand (opens in new tab) that can enable Continuity Camera in macOS Ventura, which uses your iPhone as a webcam for your Mac, and I can’t wait to use it on my MacBook Pro.
not much to expect
While I’ve loved using a Mac again after only using the iPad for several years, one takeaway from this change is how inferior the webcam on the Mac is compared to the FaceTime camera on the iPad Pro.
If I were on a Zoom or Skype call, for example, the recipient would see me in high quality, even with filters applied. But on the Mac, everything looks grainy, and while I thought it could be because the lens was smudged, I’ve since admitted that it’s purely because of the webcam itself.
That’s why I’m looking forward to Continuity Camera on macOS Ventura. This feature makes me look forward to the macOS update as it allows me to dock my iPhone to the back of my MacBook Pro and use it for important video calls every week.
But Jonathan Wight has already solved the question of making us wonder when the accessory to attach iPhone to Mac will arrive, thanks to his 3D printed solution.
I designed and printed a continuity camera mount for my iMac Pro. I will modify it for a MacBookPro tomorrow. 3D print files: repo: I need to wait for Belkin or whoever is doing 3rd party support. pic.twitter.com/vuOoAZlSUcJune 14, 2022
I don’t have a 3D printer, but there are some friends who do. With the public beta coming in July, according to Apple, it’s tempting to install macOS Ventura, print the above for me, and see how the feature works.
On the one hand, the new feature is an admission by Apple that they can’t improve Mac webcams quickly enough, so this is the next best thing. But on the other hand, your iPhone has another use while you work on your Mac besides charging.
Regardless of the reasoning behind the Continuity Camera, it’s a feature I’m looking forward to trying out, almost as much as the new lock screen in iOS 16. But keep in mind that this will only work with iPhone models with MagSafe, which lets users peripherals magnetically connect to the smartphone to charge, become a stand and now a camera.
If you want to try this out and have an older iPhone, there are some good deals for an iPhone 13 to make sure you’re Continuity Camera ready once macOS Ventura arrives later this year.
