It's accessible as button via Hal: /org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/platform_cam_shutter The camera button is also exposed via Hal: /org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/platform_cam_focus (for pressing it just lightly) and /org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/platform_cam_launch (for pressing it normally). You can get the events via D-Bus on the system bus. HTH.