Apple rejects developers update that turned iPads camera into a button

Infinity Times Two · Nov 1, 2017

Pretty cool idea. But if the camera is always on checking for "input", I wonder if it would crush the batterylife.

Macrumours:

Astro HQ, the makers of popular iPad drawing app AstroPad Studio, yesterday announced that their plans for a "Camera Button" feature for the app have been scuppered by Apple.

The developers' clever hack that turns an iPad's front-facing camera into a functional software buttonwas supposed to be coming in the next AstroPad Studio update, but Apple has rejected it on the grounds that the idea flouts App Store review guidelines.

The announcement came in a Medium.com post by Astro HQ titled "RIP Camera Button", which revealed that Apple had turned down the innovative iPad interaction because it broke the company's rules for iOS software.
We planned to introduce the Camera Button in an update to Astropad Studio going out today. However, we are disappointed to report that the Camera Button was rejected by Apple's App Store review under Section 2.5.9:

Apps that alter or disable the functions of standard switches, such as the Volume Up/Down and Ring/Silent switches, or other native user interface elements or behaviors will be rejected.

Apple is known for its strict adherence to App Store rules, so the rejection shouldn't really come as much of a surprise. But the news will also likely disappoint backers of AstroPad's forthcoming Luna display adapter, which turns an iPad into a wireless extended Mac desktop. The developers had hoped to include the Camera Button feature in the Luna software, but they've been forced to drop it from that, too.

Despite the setback, Astro HQ said their "urge to innovate" lives on, and that they remained "committed to pushing the boundaries of software and hardware engineering so that we can create the best productivity tools possible".

Soap · Nov 1, 2017

It's a neat idea, but it's not one that is really needed when we can just swipe a screen instead.

CrankyJay · Nov 1, 2017

Soap said:
It's a neat idea, but it's not one that is really needed when we can just swipe a screen instead.

This right here. Why didn't they just make a swipe from left gesture?

Computer · Nov 1, 2017

Wonder if there was also a security risk with the camera being "always-on".

Not that large corporations have ever shown much support in the name of privacy but you get what I mean.

Seesaw15 · Nov 1, 2017

Get your camera all greasy. Fun idea but I can see why they passed.

Jackpot · Nov 1, 2017

The protective covering on the lens would get dirty really quick.

Nihilistic Monk · Nov 1, 2017

Computer said:
Wonder if there was also a security risk with the camera being "always-on".

Not that large corporations have ever shown much support in the name of privacy but you get what I mean.

That was my takeaway from this. If the camera is detecting change, it's 'on'. I personally wouldn't be comfortable with that. Apple has a reasonable record so far of respecting peoples privacy and the API restrictions / guidelines are there to protect the platform. It's a funky idea, but I think they made the right call.

Spiritual_Chaos · Nov 1, 2017

Why would you have to touch it? Couldn't it be based on swiping past it or something to that effect?

Cool idea.