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Apple Launches $0.99 Mac FaceTime App on Mac App Store

Yeah, it's the ultimate cheap move -- but I'm sure they're doing it to get huge numbers of people to start using the App Store. All these tens of thousands of people who use the App Store for the first time because of Facetime -- will be all the more likely to go back and buy more Apps right after. $$$
 
eawmp1 said:
And we begin to see the ultimate reason for the App Store: to nickel and dime people to pay for add-on features of the OS.

You'll get the basic OS with Lion. Wanna iChat/FaceTime...pony up. Need augmented mail feature...pony up. Want "professional" versions of iApps...pony up. Heck, for $19.99, Steve may even allow you to purchase the "bag of hurt" that is Blu-Ray playback.

And we criticize Microsoft for 3 software versions?
Click to expand...

To some extent I agree. That has not happened with the Mac (yet) but this thing was really disappointing.
 
gnasher729 said:
iChat doesn't talk to phones.
And what are you suggesting would Apple do with your credit card number?
Click to expand...

Ever heard about profiling, data-mining or even marketing?

And AFAIK FaceTime requires WiFi. It also works on iPods. So basically it is nothing more or less than a rebranded iChat client (i.e. I would guess it identifies the called phones with their MAC adress on a network rather than with the phone number).

Or does FaceTime now work on cellular data?
 
So what's changed between the Beta 0.9 (that I have, and it works) and the new version 1.0?

Will the Beta stop working?
 
Aidoneus said:
"WAAAAH WAAAAH! This should have been free! WAAAH!"

It's 59p.

Get over yourselves.
Click to expand...

Um, it's not about the money, although I understand how you must feel. This is about something that definitely should have been free (like iChat) since Apple makes such a huge marketing move about FaceTime for the iPhone, etc etc.. and now they're charging for it?

I mean, what's next? Charging $0.99 for an updated Mail app? Or what if one day they started charging $5 for iLife? Sure, it's cheap - but these are things that Mac users take for granted that Apple should provide.
 
joskewarez said:
crazy fast mbp's? where do you see crazy fast macbooks??
these are just fast, no more than that
Click to expand...


i7 QUAD CORE in a macbook pro!?! What is it with kids these day?
"Quad-core"
"Meh"
"Thunderbolt!"
"So?"
"SSD"
"and?"
"Quantum class, nano-engineered, space-time continium distorter"
"huh"
"...Justin Bieber?"
"OMG, WOW thats amazing, sooooo cool, OMG awesome, OMG can't believe it... yesssssss!!!
 
Also this, from iCreate Magazine, shows that Macs will have FaceTimeHD Cameras. Awesome!
Screen-shot-2011-02-24-at-13.13.13.png
 
Aidoneus said:
"WAAAAH WAAAAH! This should have been free! WAAAH!"

It's 59p.

Get over yourselves.
Click to expand...

That's exactly what Apple is aiming for; people to not give two craps about $1 so they can squeeze you for more money.

If you drop a quarter and don't care to lose it, I'll gladly pick it up and put it in my change pocket.
 
Well I never used the beta so I won't be buying it. I've no problem with the price per se, but I thought Apple's intention was to get this used by as many people as possible.
 
Seryph said:
Also this, from iCreate Magazine, shows that Macs will have FaceTimeHD Cameras. Awesome!
screenshot20110224at131.png
Click to expand...

I tried going to that Apple support document, but sadly it is not up yet. I was curious to see if some of the iSights would be supported as well. The ones in the current iMacs are much better quality than before, and they support HD resolutions if the software would enable it.
 
Stella said:
Still don't understand why Apple don't integrate FaceTime into iChat... would make far more sense than a separate application.
Click to expand...


I'm not sure about the rest of the population, but I don't know many 20-30 year olds who use Instant Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger, or anything MSN chat related anymore. In college, 4 years ago, people were on it all the time since it was easy communication from dorm to dorm, but since the rise of smart phones and Facebook, I see about 2 people logged in to AIM if I ever get bored enough to sign on.

I don't think you'll see Apple pushing iChat very much any more as a prominent feature of OS X. It was probably easier and a more efficient use of resources to use the frameworks from the iOS iPhone Facetime and implement it on other iOS devices and Mac OS because you're simultaneously developing for two platforms. If there was an iChat app in iOS, then maybe you'd see the Mac OS one get upgraded.
 
0.99?

Are you ********** kidding me Apple? FaceTime should be FREE! like it is on iPhone, iPod, and iPad!! iChat AV comes with the Mac, why would we pay money proprietary video calling? That should be a free feature! Skype is everywhere, and it's free. STUPID STUPID STUPID. I don't care if it was 1 dam penny.. IT SHOULD BE FREE!:mad:
 
What does it better than Skype

Is there anything it can do that Skype can't?

I know some things it can not do that Skype can:
- Cannot be user with Windows users on the other end
- Cannot be user with Linux users on the other end
- Cannot be user with Android users on the other end
- Cannot be user with Nokia users on the other end
- No text chat
- No file transfer

So why would I want to pay those $0.99? As a donation to Apple for Steve's birthday?
 
eawmp1 said:
And we begin to see the ultimate reason for the App Store: to nickel and dime people to pay for add-on features of the OS.

You'll get the basic OS with Lion. Wanna iChat/FaceTime...pony up. Need augmented mail feature...pony up. Want "professional" versions of iApps...pony up. Heck, for $19.99, Steve may even allow you to purchase the "bag of hurt" that is Blu-Ray playback.

And we criticize Microsoft for 3 software versions?
Click to expand...

Unfortunately I think you're right. Micro-transactions in an operating system?

Maybe it's time to switch back to Windows.
 
and the entitlement era rolls on. :rolleyes:

If it's something you really want/need, a one-time $1.00 price is hardly anything to complain about. If that one dollar is too steep a price for the benefit, then don't get it. Life is full of choices and trade-offs.
 
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