Even worse, they split iChat up between FaceTime (for FaceTime-only,) and Messages, for SMS, MMS, AIM-chat, iChat AV-style video and audio chat, including multi-party video chat.
When will FaceTime get multi-party video chat like Messages/iChat AV?
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FaceTime Audio Coming to Macs With Next OS X Update
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Even worse, they split iChat up between FaceTime (for FaceTime-only,) and Messages, for SMS, MMS, AIM-chat, iChat AV-style video and audio chat, including multi-party video chat.
When will FaceTime get multi-party video chat like Messages/iChat AV?
Its a good idea, but it might have to suspend the voice call in the background because what happens if you move outside of a wifi network while on the call. To keep it from dropping it would have to switch to regular voice immediately.
Guessing you are not the target market.
Unless their idea is for her to get an iphone.
Just sayin.
For now. But Apple have said it plans to open it to all platforms. It's only a question of when?
Your mission, ENTIRE INTERNET, should you choose to accept it:
Design a solution that allows someone to carry around the new Mac Pro as a working, yet huge cylindrical FaceTime Audio phone. Because nothing says status symbol like a $3000 glossy trashcan on your face!
You have two weeks to complete this challenge.
God speed.
Design a solution that allows someone to carry around the new Mac Pro as a working, yet huge cylindrical FaceTime Audio phone. Because nothing says status symbol like a $3000 glossy trashcan on your face!
You have two weeks to complete this challenge.
God speed.
I have tried
She is not the target market only because she like to have widgets ----------
The problem though is does every single contact have or use that standard. Great for the select few but am I only going to contact my friends who have this feature? As a customer using the service I would want that ability.
You're wasting your breath. The fanbois can't see outside the walled garden to the rest of the world.
I thought the reason why FaceTime hasn't yet been made open is some patent troll took Apple to court over the way FaceTime works. Apple actually lost the case and it is tied up in an appeal.
So it can't be made open if Apple doesn't own the patent.
So it can't be made open if Apple doesn't own the patent.
I agree. It's a GREAT feature because POTS has just horrible sound quality. But FaceTime is very limited because it's only on Apple devices.
Two things are needed to make it really score. First, it needs better integration with the Phone app on iPhones. Basically if I want to call someone, there should be a setting to default to either FaceTime or phone. Make this part of the iOS 8 setup. So when I say "call John Appleseed," I have already told it to use FaceTime if John has it.
The second is what you're saying. With FaceTime built in to every iPhone -- and soon every iPad, iPod touch and Mac -- it could become a de facto standard if it were opened up to third parties.
Maybe an alternate third thing is for people using landlines to somehow get access to this. I don't know how this is best done, but basically I mean getting this to work for places like tech support for every company on the planet. If I can call AT&T tech support and there's something setup to throw me onto VoIP-quality "calls" if it detects I'm using FaceTime, boom, son.
I wouldn't be surprised if, in iOS8, FaceTime Audio becomes the default calling option, similar to how, when sending a message, the system will check to see if the recipient is available on iMessage and, if they are, elect to send that message over iMessage.
It's something I'd like to see, as to me it seems like the most efficient use of humanity's available data bandwidth. It's a system which would favour the most abundant source of data available in any given moment: if you make a phone call at home, and FaceTime Audio was available, the call would be made over a fixed-line internet connection using your home wifi. The next step down would be 4G mobile networks, then 3G, and then probably 'legacy' voice cell networks.
Not only is it efficient, but it would contribute to the ongoing marginalisation of mobile operators (another good thing in my view). The arbitrary distinctions between data used for SMS, voice calls and, well, data, would be further eroded, nudging us towards a world in which mobile data is a commodity: pay for what you use, use it how you like.
It's something I'd like to see, as to me it seems like the most efficient use of humanity's available data bandwidth. It's a system which would favour the most abundant source of data available in any given moment: if you make a phone call at home, and FaceTime Audio was available, the call would be made over a fixed-line internet connection using your home wifi. The next step down would be 4G mobile networks, then 3G, and then probably 'legacy' voice cell networks.
Not only is it efficient, but it would contribute to the ongoing marginalisation of mobile operators (another good thing in my view). The arbitrary distinctions between data used for SMS, voice calls and, well, data, would be further eroded, nudging us towards a world in which mobile data is a commodity: pay for what you use, use it how you like.
Amen. To those saying Apple can't release a non-Apple FaceTime due to a lawsuit, please think again. If the lawsuit prevented a release in a new OS, how can they release FaceTime in OSX?
According to the lawsuit they have to pay $3XXmillion and $Ymillion/month. No mention of disallowing Windows/Android/Linux versions of FaceTime.
Sadly when Apple first released iChat, it could work with AIM clients but they never adapted to Skype or anything else. Apple's aim here is to maximize the appeal of their hardware with carrot+stick software by saying "if you want this software, you need this hardware." The problem is that Windows users by default are complacent with garbage and need a lot of prodding to get them to change. The reason why the iPod took off was because Apple made it PC compatible. That is where the halo effect came in. Except in those days there was no Android. Zune came too late and as a joke. The only way to get "Apple" into the hands of a diehard Windows/Android user now is by software releases such as FaceTime. More users will get the opportunity to try Apple software without any switching cost, see how much nicer Apple software is, decide they want more of it, and possibly switch hardware.
Given that Microsoft owns Skype, I don't see them being very receptive to the idea of introducing FaceTime on their platform. And for that matter, as you say, Android is an even less likely contender for all the obvious reasons (not to mention what Google is attempting to do with Hangouts). Plus, Apple's just not into the business of opening its software. Their motto is typically: 'You want it? Buy Mac/iDevice.'
Personally I find FaceTime Audio to be far inferior to Skype. Trying to place a FT Audio call over 3G is problematic at best whereas with enough bars, Skype seems to just work. FT Audio is really only good with WiFi. But at that stage, why not use video or...Skype. My general rule is to use FT for video and Skype for audio. Plus, Skype has great call plans to the US and Canada. I pay like $3/month for unlimited to cells and landlines. It's great for ringing family in the States or quickly calling friends without a second thought.
People w iPhones. Your wife nor friends use them, but in my side 80% own an iPhone. So just because it is not something you will use it does not mean its not going to be practical. World revolves around everyone.
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Agreed and WhatsApp will rule the txt service; al least for now.
I've always wondered why as well. Perhaps Messages works with more messaging services and FaceTime is only for iOS/OS X?
I wish Apple would bring back the "Answering Machine" feature introduced in Leopard beta's iChat, but axed from the GM release. An iChat outgoing video or audio away message could be received, and others could leave one in return. Great for the deaf.
Leopard iChat Answering Machine
Unify FaceTime and Messages, and add in "Answering Machine" capabilities, would be perfect.
