Camera not recognized

[MarkHaysHarris777]

i do not use android. i do not have any desire to use android. it's not so much as promises being made because vendors have never been required to promise anything about the products they sell. consumers do have, or should have, a reasonable expectation that what hardware they purchase will function with software provided, in my case the linux product, unless it is stated otherwise. you seem to feel that my comments are bashing pine64, but nothing is further from the truth. the truth is i'm trying to help pine64 realize that it is generally better to fully inform their customers upfront about what, if anything specific, is needed to operate the hardware. they have given notice about lcd screen needing specific software. great thing to do. helps customers make decisions. i do not understand why notice that camera needs android is so much different or a bigger problem for them. i'm confused/puzzled as to why notice for lcd display but no notice for camera.

You have asked a good question. 

... things are rapidly morphing for the PineA64 platform; in it's infancy it was primarily conceived as tablet guts-- a very inexpensive Android tablet is how it was conceived, and initially marketed. There was a hint of linux on the side. But the main idea was that this platform is an inexpensive super computer which can leverage the google play store and provide a play store experience much cheaper than a standard tablet experience. 

That said, things have kinda flip-flopped.  gnu+linux has really taken off; and will continue to get better.  Now then, we gnu+linux developers are rapidly trying to leverage the full potential of this platform (including the camera) and most of those developers are not Pine people, per se... they are volunteers devoting their personal resources and time to leverage the full potential of this platform so that everyone  (including you)  can have the very best experience.  I am helping that process too... and nobody is paying me for it either... I do it because I love it, and I do it because I care;  its the right thing to do.  I personally believe that everyone of us is either a part of the solution, or we are part of the problem.  I am encouraging you to join us to be part of the solution !

I'm working on documenting the camera build and use for debian as we speak...  its the right thing to do, and when we get the kinks ironed out, you too will be able to enjoy the benefits of volunteers like myself (and many others) who are working hard to leverage this platform for its full potential !