Facebook Messenger Now Supports Voice Calling for U.S. Accounts - Page 2

coolfactor · Jan 16, 2013, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CGagnon

Why not just use FaceTime?

FaceTime is not yet cross-platform. I believe that was Apple's original goal, to build it on a protocol that other platforms could utilize, but I've yet to see a third-party integration of FaceTime. Have you seen such a thing

rmwebs · Jan 16, 2013, 04:11 PM

No thanks Facebook...I'm good. Funnily enough my phone has that built into it. It's known as Facetime.

And if for any reason I have some odd need to make a video call (not that I ever have/will/do/care about it) to someone on an Android handset, I'll use Skype.

Yvan256 · Jan 16, 2013, 04:13 PM

Instant messaging and voice/video calls are the broken parts of the Internet. Why can't everyone use the same protocols instead of locking down their users?

I can email anyone from any operating system to anyone else on any other operating system and they'll be able to receive it.

Also, what happened to Steve Jobs' promise to open up the FaceTime protocol?

b166er · Jan 16, 2013, 04:13 PM

Any word on whether or not this will roll out to the android app? I imagine so, since facebook seems to be highly motivated to get everyone using their new features.

I think this is pretty cool- it's one more thing that is going to keep people using facebook. Being able to make video calls between iOS, android, WP8, and PC's is a pretty huge deal, and the skype apps kind of suck (except for the WP8 version).

michaywood · Jan 16, 2013, 04:14 PM

haha, love the title of the image in the post. Eric, you def are now famous on the interwebs!

WilliamLondon · Jan 16, 2013, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Radio

Nobody uses FaceTime

And not everyone has an iPhone

Next time I'm on FaceTime with my mother, who doesn't own an iPhone, I'll let her know this. Ta!

When Apple released FaceTime I thought they said they were going to open up the protocol for others to use, and also they were going to develop a Windows version of FaceTime. Both are seriously needed. Plus an Android version.

b166er · Jan 16, 2013, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WilliamLondon

Next time I'm on FaceTime with my mother, who doesn't own an iPhone, I'll let her know this. Ta!

When Apple released FaceTime I thought they said they were going to open up the protocol for others to use, and also they were going to develop a Windows version of FaceTime. Both are seriously needed. Plus an Android version.

I agree 100% but Apple will never develop a facetime app for Android or WP8. A third party could if Apple ever opened it up like they said they would.

gotluck · Jan 16, 2013, 04:17 PM

wow, I guess it is good I never deleted my long neglected facebook account.

A useful feature!

MattInOz · Jan 16, 2013, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrDc2

Skype is going down...

They only want it to look that way so that the phone companies don't realize what is happening till it's to late.

Ballis · Jan 16, 2013, 04:22 PM

They should integrate it in the regular facebook app. Or better yet, into the iOS dialer just like FaceTime.

fiddlestyx · Jan 16, 2013, 04:26 PM

Competition for Skype, nice. Now if only I used my facebook account regularly, then I'd find it useful. Maybe I'll have to give this a try.

Slim02 · Jan 16, 2013, 04:27 PM

Why do people keep saying FaceTime? Because if you READ IT RIGHT, IT SAYS VOICE CALL NOT VIDEO CALL.

powers74 · Jan 16, 2013, 04:28 PM

Nice. I'm ditching facebook next month anyway. So whatever for me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yvan256

Instant messaging and voice/video calls are the broken parts of the Internet. Why can't everyone use the same protocols instead of locking down their users?

I can email anyone from any operating system to anyone else on any other operating system and they'll be able to receive it.

Also, what happened to Steve Jobs' promise to open up the FaceTime protocol?

Quote:

Originally Posted by WilliamLondon

Next time I'm on FaceTime with my mother, who doesn't own an iPhone, I'll let her know this. Ta!

When Apple released FaceTime I thought they said they were going to open up the protocol for others to use, and also they were going to develop a Windows version of FaceTime. Both are seriously needed. Plus an Android version.

I've been wondering this myself. Maybe they did and just nobody jumping on board?

s1m · Jan 16, 2013, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Radio

Nobody uses FaceTime

And not everyone has an iPhone

----------

Given this is an iOS app related function there might be a requirement for an iOS based device at either end...

JoEw · Jan 16, 2013, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Szarky

Plus the fact that Skype holds a connection better than FaceTime does is pretty emberassing for Apple. My sister told me about it when she tried iPhone 5 to iPhone 5 with her friend, I thought it must have been a rare problem but then I tried with my iPhone 4S and the connection kept cutting out with an error message. Tried Skype right after, no error messages or black screens, the video might have been a bit choppy but it kept the connection at least.

Having used FaceTime since the iPhone 4 came out. I never had any problem relating to FaceTime, I have found Skype calls are actually very low quality compared to FaceTime, but that's just me.

Popeye206 · Jan 16, 2013, 04:37 PM

I can see it (or hear it) now....

"Congratulations! You've talked for over 5 minuets! Share with your friends."

I frigg''n hate Facebook!

Rich101088 · Jan 16, 2013, 04:40 PM

But i have people on Facebook that i dont want calling me, who might want to call me, e.g people i dont give my number to because theyd call me. This blows that right out of the water.

Ballis · Jan 16, 2013, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich101088

But i have people on Facebook that i dont want calling me, who might want to call me, e.g people i dont give my number to because theyd call me. This blows that right out of the water.

Well atleast you know whos calling then. Just dont answer.

pnoyblazed · Jan 16, 2013, 04:44 PM

Don't see why they didn't just put this feature in the original FB app

avanpelt · Jan 16, 2013, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coolfactor

FaceTime is not yet cross-platform. I believe that was Apple's original goal, to build it on a protocol that other platforms could utilize, but I've yet to see a third-party integration of FaceTime. Have you seen such a thing

I doubt Apple would give third parties access to FaceTime APIs for free. It was probably one of the deals like the Lightning connector where a developer has to pay a licensing fee to Apple to use the technology. To which the third parties likely responded by giving Apple the finger.

Apple could've gotten away with it if FaceTime was the only good video calling option, but solid video calling apps are a dime a dozen and FaceTime really doesn't do anything that the others don't already do. In fact, some of the other free services do things FaceTime can't like be cross-platform and allow for a video call with more than two people simultaneously.

tasset · Jan 16, 2013, 04:48 PM

I'm curious to try this, not that I'll make routine use of it though.

For what it's worth having used Skype and other Voip apps, including Google Voice/Talk, none are worthwhile on 3G. Now on LTE, they are much more consistent. But sadly do suffer in reliability and words dropping out in the middle of calls. What has surprised me is that FaceTime, given it streams video calls, has been much more consistent in my usage even driving 65 mph down the highway (yes I have it on the side, not taking my eyes of the road..)

Awakener · Jan 16, 2013, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcalderoni

Another thing to add to the 'download archive of your Facebook data'? "Download all past calls and voice mails..." that have been conveniently recorded for you.

First thought with the privacy policy issues with Facebook and their Instagram. No thanks.

avanpelt · Jan 16, 2013, 05:05 PM

It's tempting for me to try, but they reality is that everyone I want to do a video call with I can already reach via FaceTime or Skype. Secondly, since I'm on the Verizon Share Everything plan and have unlimited minutes, the voice calling doesn't really appeal to me, either.

I think I'll pass on this app for those reasons and also because I don't trust Facebook not to put a picture of me on a video call with a can of Coke in my hand in an ad for Coke on their website.

Imagine if Facebook developed an algorithm to scan these video calls for products and then went to the manufacturers of those products and said, "We'll sell you advertising on our site that will include pictures of real people using your stuff!" Facebook has to monetize mobile, and maybe that's one way they could do it. Then, they wouldn't have to depend on users to "Like" things for them to show up in their friends' sponsored links section.

Cali Fornia · Jan 16, 2013, 05:09 PM

Enabled in Austria already as well.

CShort · Jan 16, 2013, 05:12 PM

Surely carriers are going to want to drop iPhones.
Windows Phone is controlling the VoIP experience with carriers so that makes WP more attractive. I expect carriers to change what phones they are pushing if this takes off and eats into their revenue.

------------

By the way I can't see how this is competition for skype when it will call Skype users and when the desktop version of facebook is just a link to Skype. I have a feeling that this is actually Skype integrated into the app.

Jan 16, 2013, 04:11 PM	#27
rmwebs macrumors 68030 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: North London, England	No thanks Facebook...I'm good. Funnily enough my phone has that built into it. It's known as Facetime. And if for any reason I have some odd need to make a video call (not that I ever have/will/do/care about it) to someone on an Android handset, I'll use Skype. __________________ Walt Disney World Guide
	3

Jan 16, 2013, 04:13 PM	#28
Yvan256 macrumors 601 Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Canada	Instant messaging and voice/video calls are the broken parts of the Internet. Why can't everyone use the same protocols instead of locking down their users? I can email anyone from any operating system to anyone else on any other operating system and they'll be able to receive it. Also, what happened to Steve Jobs' promise to open up the FaceTime protocol? __________________ The first 90% of the code accounts for the first 90% of the development time. The remaining 10% of the code accounts for the other 90% of the development time. -Tom Cargill, Bell Labs.
	3

Jan 16, 2013, 04:13 PM	#29
b166er macrumors 68000 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Philly	Any word on whether or not this will roll out to the android app? I imagine so, since facebook seems to be highly motivated to get everyone using their new features. I think this is pretty cool- it's one more thing that is going to keep people using facebook. Being able to make video calls between iOS, android, WP8, and PC's is a pretty huge deal, and the skype apps kind of suck (except for the WP8 version). __________________ Wait... I had something for this.
	0

Jan 16, 2013, 04:17 PM	#33
gotluck macrumors 6502a Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: East Central Florida	wow, I guess it is good I never deleted my long neglected facebook account. A useful feature! __________________ Windows 7 PC & 8740w - iPhone 4 (6.1 Jailbroken - StraightTalk w/ AT&T SIM) - HP Touchpad (CM10 Jelly Bean) - iPod Classic
	0

Jan 16, 2013, 04:26 PM	#36
fiddlestyx macrumors 6502 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Minnesota	Competition for Skype, nice. Now if only I used my facebook account regularly, then I'd find it useful. Maybe I'll have to give this a try. __________________ \| 2011 Mac Mini i7 \| 32GB iPad (4th Gen) \| 16GB iPhone 4S \|
	0

Jan 16, 2013, 04:14 PM	#30
michaywood macrumors newbie Join Date: Feb 2011	haha, love the title of the image in the post. Eric, you def are now famous on the interwebs!
	0

Jan 16, 2013, 04:22 PM	#35
Ballis macrumors 6502 Join Date: May 2008 Location: Oslo, Norway	They should integrate it in the regular facebook app. Or better yet, into the iOS dialer just like FaceTime.
	0

Jan 16, 2013, 04:27 PM	#37
Slim02 macrumors 6502 Join Date: Sep 2008	Why do people keep saying FaceTime? Because if you READ IT RIGHT, IT SAYS VOICE CALL NOT VIDEO CALL. __________________ PowerMac G4 24" 2.93Ghz iMac iPhone 4S (32GB) Win7 Laptop 4thGen iPod Touch (32GB)
	6

Jan 16, 2013, 04:37 PM	#41
Popeye206 macrumors 68020 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: NE PA USA	I can see it (or hear it) now.... "Congratulations! You've talked for over 5 minuets! Share with your friends." I frigg''n hate Facebook!
	6

Jan 16, 2013, 04:40 PM	#42
Rich101088 macrumors newbie Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Wales, UK	But i have people on Facebook that i dont want calling me, who might want to call me, e.g people i dont give my number to because theyd call me. This blows that right out of the water.
	1

Jan 16, 2013, 04:44 PM	#44
pnoyblazed macrumors 6502 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Manhattan	Don't see why they didn't just put this feature in the original FB app
	2

Jan 16, 2013, 04:48 PM	#46
tasset macrumors 6502 Join Date: May 2007	I'm curious to try this, not that I'll make routine use of it though. For what it's worth having used Skype and other Voip apps, including Google Voice/Talk, none are worthwhile on 3G. Now on LTE, they are much more consistent. But sadly do suffer in reliability and words dropping out in the middle of calls. What has surprised me is that FaceTime, given it streams video calls, has been much more consistent in my usage even driving 65 mph down the highway (yes I have it on the side, not taking my eyes of the road..)
	0

Jan 16, 2013, 05:05 PM	#48
avanpelt macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jun 2010	It's tempting for me to try, but they reality is that everyone I want to do a video call with I can already reach via FaceTime or Skype. Secondly, since I'm on the Verizon Share Everything plan and have unlimited minutes, the voice calling doesn't really appeal to me, either. I think I'll pass on this app for those reasons and also because I don't trust Facebook not to put a picture of me on a video call with a can of Coke in my hand in an ad for Coke on their website. Imagine if Facebook developed an algorithm to scan these video calls for products and then went to the manufacturers of those products and said, "We'll sell you advertising on our site that will include pictures of real people using your stuff!" Facebook has to monetize mobile, and maybe that's one way they could do it. Then, they wouldn't have to depend on users to "Like" things for them to show up in their friends' sponsored links section.
	0

Jan 16, 2013, 05:09 PM	#49
Cali Fornia macrumors member Join Date: Feb 2012	Enabled in Austria already as well.
	0

Jan 16, 2013, 05:12 PM	#50
CShort macrumors member Join Date: Aug 2011	Bad for carriers Surely carriers are going to want to drop iPhones. Windows Phone is controlling the VoIP experience with carriers so that makes WP more attractive. I expect carriers to change what phones they are pushing if this takes off and eats into their revenue. ------------ By the way I can't see how this is competition for skype when it will call Skype users and when the desktop version of facebook is just a link to Skype. I have a feeling that this is actually Skype integrated into the app.
	1

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