Is camera cover supported on Google Android?

[PavelH]

Hi,
I'm currently using Sony Ericsson C702 but I really like Android OS and looking for a good phone with it. And this is the problem. I'm used to that my phone has an active camera cover. It protects the lens and offers very quick way to start camera application even when the phone is locked. I've looked at some Android phones but none of them has a camera cover. Strange. In the past, it was a must-feature for every better phone with a camera.

So I would like to know if Android has internal support for this feature (I know that some camera functions were implemented in 2.0). Or is it just a fashion of phone manufactures ("Iphone doesn't have it so we should produce no more phones with it") ? Is there a chance that there will be an Android phone with good camera and cover in the future?

I'm also interested if the camera sound can be turned off and if the LED flash can be also used as a torch. C702 has a torch application and it is so useful.

Paul

 

[maddmatt02]

I dont know about the camera cover deal, but if the SDK gives devs access to the led flash, than im sure they can do something with it.

 

[rvonder]

I'm used to that my phone has an active camera cover. It protects the lens and offers very quick way to start camera application even when the phone is locked.
[snip]
I'm also interested if the camera sound can be turned off and if the LED flash can be also used as a torch.

I haven't seen any recent phones with a lens cover. However, I've had 3 smartphones now with exposed lenses (Treo, Omnia, and now Droid), and have never had any problems with scratched or damaged lenses. I've always used snap-in holsters with my phones, but Verizon offers a two-sided hard shell case for the Droid that looks like it would offer more protection for the camera lens.

At least on the Droid, I haven't yet found a way to eliminate the shutter sound (irritating!). However, it does have the "torch" function you describe. I can't recall if it was supplied with the phone, or whether I d/l'ed a free app to do it. And while there is a hard button used to both activate the camera and release the shutter, I don't think it works if the phone is locked or sleeping. I'll have to try it and find out!

Rob