There’s a great article at the EETimes about the latest developments in cameraphones and their relevance to the everyday user. It’s become clear that cameraphones are soon going to be nothing more than just ‘phones’—the camera is pretty much a default feature, except in ‘business phones’ where the cameras are purposefully left out (and I think even that trend will disappear in time). Samsung says they have plans to push up to 5-megapixel cameras in the near future, displacing the entire low-end digital camera market in the process, and even toymaker Mattel is about to launch a $25 cameraphone for kids.
The article goes on to question to what degree people are actually using cameraphones, but I think at this point it’s irrelevant. If I am already carrying around a phone and it can have a 5-megapixel camera for little extra cost in money or weight, why wouldn’t I want one, even if I only use it once a month? I only use the calendar on my watch every couple of months, but it sure is nice when I need it.
