Droid X w/o cam

[Jubz]

Though I plan on the DX to become my main replacing my BB Tour, I still have to keep the Tour as backup.

Often I have to be at various client sites where phone-cams aren't permitted due to security policies. Verizon offer's BB's w/o cams for this purpose.

I know the 8MP cam on the DX is a significant feature, but I wish a non-cam model was offered, which I think would bring aboard a lot of folks with this need.

I guess I'll have to wait until iFixit or someone does a DX teardown video so I can see if it's fairly straightforward to remove the cam module, then blackout (temporarily) the lens from inside or something to satisfy the security folks of "no-cam."

Any suggestions about a no-cam Droid X approach?

 

[javroch]

Might help, not sure I'd suggest it though:
Droid X Dissected! | Droid X – Blog dedicated to Droid X News and Accessories!
How to Assemble a Dissected Droid X! | Droid X – Blog dedicated to Droid X News and Accessories!

 

[Jubz]

Might help, not sure I'd suggest it though:
Droid X Dissected! | Droid X ? Blog dedicated to Droid X News and Accessories!
How to Assemble a Dissected Droid X! | Droid X ? Blog dedicated to Droid X News and Accessories!

Thanks for these, will have to study.

So, wouldn't it be awesome if an Android developer created an app that would allow temporary disabling of the cam, like for various time intervals, 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24 hours, and was able to implement this in a way where it can be "trusted" by the security folks to satisfy a "no-cam" policy. I would gladly pay good money for an app like this. The trouble is that of having the security folks trust an app like this, especially if they're a ludite.

... developers?

 

[jdbower]

Sadly, only RIM seems to recognize a lack of a camera as a feature. What I would try is to get a case and black out the camera opening. That may get you through some customers, but not all. Hold onto your Tour (or get a dumb phone) and use* 228 to switch lines. What I'm uncertain about is if you can get data on the Blackberry on a Droid plan- BB has a screwy data service that routes everything to Canada and it may not play nicely on a more sane data plan. Even if not, you should be able to get phone and non-connected app access this way.

 

[alpha752]

Thanks for these, will have to study.

So, wouldn't it be awesome if an Android developer created an app that would allow temporary disabling of the cam, like for various time intervals, 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24 hours, and was able to implement this in a way where it can be "trusted" by the security folks to satisfy a "no-cam" policy. I would gladly pay good money for an app like this. The trouble is that of having the security folks trust an app like this, especially if they're a ludite.

... developers?

As a security guy at a secure facility.... there is no way I would trust an app, no matter who wrote it to disable the camera. The only for sure way to stop pictures from being taken inside is to stop the camera at the door. Sorry.

Best bet is to keep the Camera-less Tour, or have the guys hold your phone for you while your inside. Even I have to keep my phone in my locker.

 

[llasch]

Just cover the lens up?? Might sound and look cheesy but if you could somehow fashion something to completely cover the lens and easily remove it that might be worth looking into?

 

[jste1986]

I know exactly what you mean. Where I work, I have to leave my phone at the second door. We have very trustworthy security personnel though, so I don't mind it too much.

That is the only thing I'll give ATT, one of my colleagues has two different phones that he uses. He pops a sim card into his plain jane flip phone and he is good to go. Then again, his service is terrible, haha.

 

[Jubz]

As a security guy at a secure facility.... there is no way I would trust an app, no matter who wrote it to disable the camera. The only for sure way to stop pictures from being taken inside is to stop the camera at the door. Sorry.

Best bet is to keep the Camera-less Tour, or have the guys hold your phone for you while your inside. Even I have to keep my phone in my locker.

Yeh, I totally understand your POV. Questions from your perspective in what "would be OK" with a trusted consultant and a non-cam policy:

Scenario 1: I show you the DX and the lens is has underneath, a white piece of paper with a red X on it, blocking the cam.

Scenario 2: I show you the DX and there's a hole where the cam would have been and I tell you that the cam module has been removed.

Would any of the above pass the no-cam test?
I'm leaning towards removing the cam and leaving a hole. I can always tape over it during non-work to keep moisture & dust out.

I'm not concerned about phone access, but more important is access to my calendar.