Apple Removes Group FaceTime From iOS 12 and macOS Mojave, Says It'll Launch Later This Year

[Skoal]

Apple can’t even get FaceTime to work with ONE call. I used to use it constantly, on different networks, using different devices and it always ended the same: video that was as reliable as a deadbeat dad on Father’s Day.

Skype for me. FaceTime is Apple’s biggest abomination of an app from my experience. The ghost of Steve Job’s infamous keynote lives on.

That sucks. I’ve used FaceTime in several different countries on many different networks and have maybe dropped 4-5 calls. I don’t use FaceTime much TBH since I do t feel the need to see who I’m talking to but FaceTime audio has worked great as well.

 

[Skoal]

How is this so hard to do? Google Hangouts had this years ago, same with Skype. Even Discord already has it and it's a relatively new app. It's going to come out with iOS 12.4, like AirPlay 2. "See it's out with iOS 12!" is what someone will basically say, but in PR-speak.

I’m just guessing but if they’re trying to incorporate encryption that might be an issue they’re running into. Not sure how google or MS handles encryption, if at all, though so who knows

 

[Abazigal]

I wish they would just not announce new features/products way before they are even ready for release.....

Honestly, I don’t see the issue with this.

But then again, I am the kind of person who doesn’t mind reading spoilers before watching a movie, so maybe it’s just me.

 

[BaltimoreMediaBlog]

I'm still trying to figure out what IS actually IN Mojave that's new?

Just making Mac OS work on less and less Apple Macs?

That's a feature now?

 

[sumsingwong]

Are they referring to fiscal year or calendar year?

 

[Krayzkat]

Are they referring to fiscal year or calendar year?

If the delays get any worse it'll be islamic years they refer to

 

[TwoBytes]

Why are stocks still rising if one of the biggest and leading tech companies in the world can't get something like this working? There are small time app developers, one man bands who are able to do this in 6 months. I don't get it.

 

[DEMinSoCAL]

I'm still trying to figure out what IS actually IN Mojave that's new?

Just making Mac OS work on less and less Apple Macs?

That's a feature now?

The headlining feature, the one they've been developing for a couple years, the one everyone wants -- Dark Mode.

 

[Naraxus]

How has it failed when the feature hasn’t been released yet?

Uhm did I say IT failed or Apple failed? smh

 

[Glockworkorange]

Business people would.
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And I remember leather in iOS and the maps fiasco no thanks

What businesses communicate through 32 people on FaceTime? That assumes all 32 people 1) have iPhones and 2) are willing to take a business call on a cell phone.

Would never fly in my industry, but who knows?

 

[mlody]

so later this year means a week before the announcement of iOS13 at WWDC - got it.

 

[btrach144]

I'm shocked more people aren't pissed about this.

 

[EM2013]

Maybe if they actually focused on features instead of emojis, they wouldn’t constantly delay features.

 

[mpainesyd]

We seem to be in a time loop - this is from a 2005 video where Steve is demonstrating iChat group conferencing:

I don't suppose Apple is prepared to resurrect iChat while we wait for Group Facetime.

 

[citysnaps]

Wouldn’t be delayed if Scott were still there.

Yeah... It would be like the release of Apple Maps.
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I think many people dislike the new “trend” where Apple continues to struggle releasing advertised features more than a complaint about not having group FT. A product not being ready on time has become the new Apple in many ways.

It’s beta. But people will whine anyway. Even if they’d likely never use the feature.

 

[n-evo]

Howabout you can never beat actual field-testing?

Pretty sure a company the size of Apple can in this case. You actually think the average beta tester knows that many people also testing the iOS 12 preview they can try FaceTime group calling en masse? Please.

 

[Glideslope]

Yeah... It would be like the release of Apple Maps

Yeah, the Maps that is being rebuilt from the ground up as announced this summer. Time to wake up from the dream.

 

[teejaysyke]

It should be 10 people max. Why is 32 necessary lol?

 

[The Game 161]

lol so people would actually use this...can't remember last time i even used facetime

 

[hlfway2anywhere]

Maybe if they actually focused on features instead of emojis, they wouldn’t constantly delay features.

You want graphic designers writing code for FaceTime? Thank goodness you're not running Apple. Good lord.

Emojis standards aren't decided by apple anyway. Get over it.

 

[Tmelon]

I bet 2020, I would kill for a phone app on macOS that is integrated with iOS. Facetime on macOS is terrible at handling calls.

This. And a Phone app for the iPad would be great as well.

 

[brian3uk]

iOS 12 betas have been pretty stable since day 1 and the OS is just slicker overall. Everyone has their wants and needs but 12 Is offering several great new features. Shortcuts being just one, but a great one so far.

I agree beta 1-5 were ok. 6 was bad and 7 just got pulled bc it was too bad for even a beta. Software at Apple is struggling to keep up. And with the slow updates to hardware they need excellent software to continue to grow.

 

[ani4ani]

Apple....the epitome of the “must have” and the “must wait”

 

[groovyd]

What businesses communicate through 32 people on FaceTime? That assumes all 32 people 1) have iPhones and 2) are willing to take a business call on a cell phone.

Would never fly in my industry, but who knows?

Probably works within Apple for instance

Ie. thinks they are doing this more for themselves and a few of their big corporate customers, partner schools, etc.

 

[Dominicanyor]

What a surprise..