IP Camera turns your iPhone into a security cam

(Credit: CNET / Josh Lowensohn)

The iPhone has many applications that let you view Web cams from around the world, but what about turning your phone into a remote camera of its own? A new app called IP Camera (warning: iTunes link) does just that. This $1.99 tool takes a photo from your iPhone's camera every 12 to 15 seconds, then posts it to a local Web page that can be accessed from other computers on the same network.

All that's needed for setup is to make sure your phone is on Wi-Fi, then to jot down the special local HTTP address it gives you. It will keep running until you quit the application manually or get a phone call; although like any good iPhone app it starts right back up when you're done with a call.

While there are very few bells and whistles, this app worked really well in my testing with an iPhone 3G. Although one big thing that's missing is a way to archive the photos it takes. You can temporarily stop its stream of photos, then save whichever one it's on, but it does not keep a "recents" on its Web page, or on your phone's camera roll.

I'd also like to see a way to change the frequency in which it takes photos, which could keep it from zapping too much juice if you're using it while disconnected from a power plug. And a way to run it with the display off would be nice too, since hitting the sleep button freezes the app into re-sending the same shot over and over again.

Tip: the iPod universal dock and iPhone 3G dock are both angled in such a way that makes it incredibly easy to perch your phone on a bookshelf or on top of a coworker's cube and get a great view. They'll never suspect you're watching their every move.

Related: DIY home surveillance with a Webcam

The IP Camera app turns your iPhone into a mini server, taking photos every 15 seconds and posting them almost-live to a Web page.

(Credit: CNET)

[Gold_Storm_Mac]

with all this technology it is almost impossible to steal an iphone and get away with it.

[cbscowards]

Umm, the only problem is that people usually cary their IPhones with them when they leave home, don't they?

[scrubbingbubbles]

WAY TO RUIN EVERYONES FUN GEEZ!!

[scrubbingbubbles]

Oh and yes unless I am sleeping or mid-sync the iphone is always in my pocket making me sterile....woohoo!

[Josh.Lowensohn]

Sure, but this isn't for home security. It's for deskpionage. .

[amakh]

Sweet sweater Josh!

[Josh.Lowensohn]

Thanks, it's cold in SF.

[luckyzdad]

Speaking of the iPhone always being in your pocket, is anyone else having trouble with the on/off ringtone switch turning to off position while in a pants pocket? I wish we could disable that switch in the software. It's becoming somewhat of a nightmare losing urgent calls. I've had to cover mine with electrical tape to keep it in the on position.

[ausernamenoonehaschosen]

Sorry, never had this issue.

[chrisgehrke]

if you buy a nice case for your iphone, nice meaning a thicker one, your switch will be protected and not be as prone to changing just by being in your pocket. I used to have this problem and since getting a new case for my iphone; I no longer have this problem at all.

[mrobmsu]

How tight are your pants???

[Josh.Lowensohn]

Pardon?

[mikekrause]

So now you can watch your iPhone get stolen right before your very eyes! Cool.

[redupiter]

And the point is?

like most apps on the Itunes store costing £3 or less, totally useless.

Why would you put an overly expensive phone to watch .... to watch what?

[rdunn]

Works on a local net only... (deskpionage?). I think it could be more useful if it would publish to a public or personal site (blog, whatever)... then you could have a webcam show wherever you go... not just your local net. Wonder if it's purposely limited. Deskpionage comments may not help! :(

[Yelonde]

So you can use it as a security camera. . . a very valuable security camera that is, if left alone, is likely to get stolen. . .