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October 5, 2009 4:24 PM PDT

IP Camera turns your iPhone into a security cam

by Josh Lowensohn
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(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)
Josh Lowensohn writes for Webware.com, CNET's blog about Web applications and services. E-mail Josh, or follow him on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/Josh.
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Add a Comment (Log in or register) (16 Comments)
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by Gold_Storm_Mac October 5, 2009 5:07 PM PDT
with all this technology it is almost impossible to steal an iphone and get away with it.
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by cbscowards October 5, 2009 5:26 PM PDT
Umm, the only problem is that people usually cary their IPhones with them when they leave home, don't they?
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by scrubbingbubbles October 5, 2009 5:35 PM PDT
WAY TO RUIN EVERYONES FUN GEEZ!!
by scrubbingbubbles October 5, 2009 5:41 PM PDT
Oh and yes unless I am sleeping or mid-sync the iphone is always in my pocket making me sterile....woohoo!
by Josh.Lowensohn October 6, 2009 9:31 AM PDT
Sure, but this isn't for home security. It's for deskpionage. .
by amakh October 5, 2009 10:14 PM PDT
Sweet sweater Josh!
Reply to this comment
by Josh.Lowensohn October 6, 2009 9:31 AM PDT
Thanks, it's cold in SF.
by luckyzdad October 6, 2009 3:39 AM PDT
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.
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by ausernamenoonehaschosen October 6, 2009 4:53 AM PDT
Sorry, never had this issue.
by chrisgehrke October 6, 2009 5:26 AM PDT
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.
by mrobmsu October 6, 2009 5:29 AM PDT
How tight are your pants???
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by Josh.Lowensohn October 6, 2009 9:32 AM PDT
Pardon?
by mikekrause October 6, 2009 8:52 AM PDT
So now you can watch your iPhone get stolen right before your very eyes! Cool.
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by redupiter October 6, 2009 1:58 PM PDT
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?
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by rdunn October 6, 2009 8:27 PM PDT
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! :(
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by Yelonde October 12, 2009 10:49 PM PDT
So you can use it as a security camera. . . a very valuable security camera that is, if left alone, is likely to get stolen. . .
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About Web Crawler

As the son of a Palm programmer, Josh Lowensohn grew up in a household full of technology. From a young age he was taking apart computers, finding hot new bulletin board systems, and re-programming video games. Josh currently covers the latest and greatest Web apps and services for CNET's Webware blog. Prior to that he covered news, and wrote reviews for GamersReports.com. For this blog Josh is exploring the latest Web apps and technologies, and trends in consumer entertainment devices.

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