They are both on my endangered species list…
I wrote a post a while back asking the question, "Are camera phones the next point and shoot cameras?" Back then, I pointed out how I either carry my DSLR camera when the picture that I want to take really matters or I shoot casually with the camera on my smartphone (which is always with me) when it's something casual and in the moment. While point and shoot cameras will probably continue to have the advantage when it comes to better lenses, more megapixels and probably better quality files, smartphones continue to drive the one feature that matters most to most casual shooters: SHARING! Most people take pictures so that they can not only capture the moment, but also so that they can share them easily. Yet only a fraction of point and shoot cameras today include built-in WiFi and even then it's difficult to setup and use. The standard smartphone (iPhone 4 and various Droid models) have all gone up to between 5MP-8MP sensors. While it's true that point and shoot cameras typically come in the 8MP-14MP range these days, for the average person 5MP is plenty. Not only are these devices shooting great pictures, but they are also shooting great HD video! Although I love my Kodak Zi8, I honestly think that I won't be carrying it anymore by the end of this year.
What about GPS Turn-by-Turn Directions?
When I travel I live by my GPS devices. I'm the first to admit that I'm very directionally challenged. However, my beloved Garmin Nüvi 765T sits on a shelf now. Why? Because the Navigon App on my phone just keeps getting better and better. I paid for it once and it has had several significant feature updates. The latest update brings background multitasking support, weather info, the latest Maps and now finds available parking. Sure I could buy a new dedicated GPS that offers these features too, but why? I'm always gonna have my phone with me and the App on my phone will continue to get better with minimal cost in upgrading.
I think the days of these one trick ponies are over. Why carry a point and shoot camera, a GPS navigation device and a phone if your smartphone can do it all?
Don't believe me? Take a look at these videos:
A photo shoot done with a camera phone (iPhone 3GS)
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOoGjtSy7xY
A movie shot and produced (back story here) entirely on an iPhone 4:
Navigon demonstrating their New Clever Parking feature:
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bo84K678Rbc
Also be sure to check out this book on what can be done with a camera phone: The Best Camera Is The One That's With You: iPhone Photography by Chase Jarvis (Voices That Matter)
My Advice to the camera and GPS manufacturers of the world
It's all about moving the photo that I just took along. So it's time that you seriously embrace sharing capabilities right into the hardware itself. A a minimum your cameras should offer easy sharing via WiFi and GPS geotagging built-in! (yes I know about Eye-Fi cards and they're great, but these features should be built-in). The next step would be to offer 3G connectivity as an option. Similar to what Apple did with the iPad. No contract, no carrier locks. Use it if you want it. Totally optional. Lastly, the only other thing you've going going for you besides the lens is you can more easily incorporate RAW shooting. Why not? It's an option anyway. People can choose to shoot in JPEG and it of course would be the default. However, shooting in RAW as an option is appealing. While you're at it, can you please add GPS geotagging to your DSLR cameras too? Why is this not built-in yet?
For the GPS manufacturers it's a lot harder for you because there isn't much you can offer in the way of hardware that I can't get on a smartphone. So your options are to continue to lower the price and to continue or get into Apps. Hardware is probably a losing proposition for the long term. Navigon and TomTom are starting to get this. Garmin chose to do their own phone to hold on to hardware revenues. I don't think that will work long term.
Terry,
Are you still using the magellan car kit with your iphone? Found anything better? Also, once you buy the Navigon app, there are no other fees? for upgrades of maps etc. I read you every morning before work. Thanks a bunch
Peggy
Peggy, yep I’m stilling using the Magellan car kit. Haven’t looked for anything “better” because it does everything that I want. As Jack pointed out below, Navigon offers two OPTIONAL in-app purchases for Traffic and 3D Panorama View (both of which I have) and they are one-time charges as well. No additional fees for upgrading so far. In their newly released 1.6 update they also updated the Maps for FREE. See more here on exactly what I use: http://www.bestappsite.com/2010/07/12/navigon-for-ios-4-is-here-with-new-features/
There are two “extras” you can buy – live traffic info and 3D panorama view. These are one-time charges though – after that, map updates and program updates are free.
I’m with you on P&S cameras needing built-in geo-tagging. I recently searched for such a beast, and was shocked to find that only Nikon had one, and it was way more expensive than a Canon G11 (for less image quality.)
Maybe with Flickr making geo-tagging more prominent, people will start asking for it, and the camera manufacturers will add the feature.
The only saving grace for the GPS manufacturers is that not everyone has a smart phone. I just “donated” my blackberry storm to my brother who is a journalism major in his senior year here in Cincy and it was his first smart phone. He’s a Journalism major!! He should have had a smart phone all along! I agree that each of these market shares is going to suffer because of the increase in quality on the smart phones, I don’t however think that they will ever totally go away.
I’m waiting for the Nikon or Canon that has GPS and can also be used as a phone…. 😉
Terry,
I got to say your reading my mind here and for the most part agree. As much as I am a convergence pusher however, when it comes to traveling I still prefer a dedicated nav unit so I can use my smart phone for other things. (That may change over time but as I do use it in a pinch).
Wish List:
Nav Units: Put data or locations on SD card and put into nav, Group favorites, move route without using via point hack, time change update (how does a nav unit not know what time zone your in?)
Point and Shoot: (still love it for wife) biggies is wifi
Given the low cost of the Broadcom GPS chip, Apple needs to add GPS to iPads and iPod touches independent of any cellular features or AT&T contract. And it should come standard with all but the low-end model (perhaps helping to justify Apple’s heavy surcharges for added storage). I got Navigon on sale for my iPod touch to get their detailed west coast map, but without GPS, it’s of far less value.
Also, data charges should include a reasonable, prepay, per-byte option. I shifted my T-Mobile voice to prepay and love it. I hate minutes-per-month plans. Used too little, I waste money. Used too much, I got hit with surcharges. It makes far more sense to pay for cellular voice and data like we pay for electricity and water. Base charges on actual consumption.
One reason GPS isn’t built into Pro DSLRS is that if used in combat areas the GPS can become a beacon for the enemy to target upon. I learned this FYI from the base photographer at Selfridge ANG. GPS and other locating devices, alone or in a phone do work “both ways” by sending out signals. Not a good thing in a war zone.
Good point Paul, but there is no reason that it either could not have an On/Off switch in the settings and default to the OFF position OR be a removable module so that people that don’t want it wouldn’t get that module. My point is that they could either be built-in or at least located inside the body as an optional module.
I don’t believe GPS receivers send out anything. The war zone argument makes no sense to me.