It's no secret that the webcams on Apple's Mac devices leave a lot to be desired, and there's no better example than the recent problems with the Studio Display. But the Camo app looks to fix that, with a new update that allows it to be used for FaceTime calls, as well as native support for Discord, WhatsApp, Slack, and more.
While a firmware update for the Studio Display is being tested to address some of the issues affecting the display's webcam, it appears there's still a long way to go before it's not acceptable for use on calls. especially for the price at which the screen is sold.
Still, Camo is one of those people who 'why didn't I think of doing this sooner?' apps, because we all carry mobile devices with fantastic single, dual and triple cameras that can easily crush Mac webcams.
Although the download is free, there is a monthly subscription of €4,99/€4,39/AU$5,49, with a lifetime license of €79,99/€69,98/AU$87,99 AU € that allows more functions. We tested Camo with an iPhone 13 Pro and were surprised by the results.
lights, camera, app
Installing the app on macOS and iOS was a simple task, but it wasn't until we tried setting up the app on macOS that it felt overwhelming, due to the many options available to customize the iPhone's camera.
However, after getting used to Camo after an hour, you realize that you only need to focus on some menu on the left to change your iPhone lenses. Camo already integrates with Zoom, FaceTime, and other conferencing apps, so just change the video in your settings to "Camo" and you're good to go.
Of course, you'll need to find a stand for your iPhone to make sure you get your good side on those conference calls.
Comparing the webcam on the 14-inch Macbook Pro to the rear camera on my iPhone 13 Pro was day and night. The quality was as good as a Razer or Logitech Pro webcam, with different resolutions and focus options to choose from. Camo also never once hit latency or crashed while testing it across various apps.
Why do Mac webcams still suck?
Although I don't have a Studio display, it begs the question why webcams on Mac are still no good. Apple certainly talked about the camera in the Studio Display when it announced it in March, but real-world testing showed it to be well below average.
We're at a point where the front-facing camera on the iPhone SE 3 can take better quality photos and videos than the camera on the €1,500 Apple Cinema Display. But Camo can solve this problem even with its free option.
For now, one improvement we'd like to see for Camo is for your Mac to connect to an iPhone wirelessly.
For now though, it does solve a big problem Apple is currently facing in its Cinema Display, so if you want to look glamorous in 4K on conference calls, Camo gives you that opportunity.