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I wish apple would release FaceTime standard already
- Thread starter Natesac
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I don't FaceTime a lot, but I have FaceTime'd with co-workers with Android phones with the "fring" app, which is free in the iTunes app store. It sucks for those that don't have a front facing camera though. Plus, the app needs to be launched before initiating the FaceTime call.
Just a rumor: http://itsalltech.com/2011/03/03/blackberry-messenger-coming-to-ios-and-android/
I will never use Skype. There are free and better alternatives.
BBM is not coming to iOS and Android
http://www.macgasm.net/2011/03/30/rims-blackberry-messenger-coming-ios-april-26th/
i too wish facetime at least could be a pc app. skype has totally kicked the bucket. it used to be the best for audio and now the whole thing has gone down the tubes. ichat is ok but the audio is pretty bad. oovoo i have had a horrible experience with. the only good one is facetime and a lot of ppl still dont own macs yet. i wish they changed video calling in lion and just combined ichat with ft.
in fact they should just overhaul the whole ichat app to include ft and then make an ios version. then they could incorporate an IM client to compete with bbm. BBM has 39 million users but Apple has over 100 million ios devices plus all of their macs. a lot of ppl wont switch from blackberry bc of bbm but if apple did this then they could steal a good amount of blackberry's users imo.
in fact they should just overhaul the whole ichat app to include ft and then make an ios version. then they could incorporate an IM client to compete with bbm. BBM has 39 million users but Apple has over 100 million ios devices plus all of their macs. a lot of ppl wont switch from blackberry bc of bbm but if apple did this then they could steal a good amount of blackberry's users imo.
Vtok!
I've been using Vtok http://vtokapp.com/ and works on Wi-Fi and 3G. Uses the facetime protocol from what I can tell. Sound and video are very smooth.
I've been using Vtok http://vtokapp.com/ and works on Wi-Fi and 3G. Uses the facetime protocol from what I can tell. Sound and video are very smooth.
I could be wrong but I thought you had to pay to use some of the features Skype offers?
what are some of the things the alternatives can do that you have to pay for on skype?
You have to pay to make phone calls... But even then, making an international phone call on Skype is really cheap. Other than that, I've been using Skype to video chat and have had not problems with quality even over 3G.
All calls and txts to phones are paid. That being said, rates are as low as 1-2 cents/min.
Like I said, I won't use Skype so I may be wrong. Don't you have to pay for a phone number also?
You do pay for any and all calls to phone numbers (i.e. local, national or international); but when considering international calls for example, the costs are a huge bargain. That being said, skype to skype calls and video chats are free and really not too terrible even on 3G.
Ben,
My family has been using Video Skype (and yes, it's FREE) for years to talk around the world, via PCs, Macs and dedicated video skype terminals like the Asus Skype Videophone (great for grandparents!).
We use it daily for talking to parents to check on them, and to grandkids who would otherwise only see us a few times a year. This way, they know us very well.
At Christmas, we use it so family members in Hawaii can "be" at the celebrations here in the Northeast... we put them on a big screen in the living room. It's pretty nice.
Just last week, my brother surprised me with a Skype video call from his iPhone 4 in his office across the country. The clarity was even better than when he had been doing it from his laptop at home.
Try it. You might like it.
My family has been using Video Skype (and yes, it's FREE) for years to talk around the world, via PCs, Macs and dedicated video skype terminals like the Asus Skype Videophone (great for grandparents!).
We use it daily for talking to parents to check on them, and to grandkids who would otherwise only see us a few times a year. This way, they know us very well.
At Christmas, we use it so family members in Hawaii can "be" at the celebrations here in the Northeast... we put them on a big screen in the living room. It's pretty nice.
Just last week, my brother surprised me with a Skype video call from his iPhone 4 in his office across the country. The clarity was even better than when he had been doing it from his laptop at home.
Try it. You might like it.
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You can get a Google Voice number for free and pay low rates for international calls as well.
I am glad you like it, my sister uses it for the same reason while she is at college. I just prefer not to use Skype right now, I never got into it and I just don't see the need for me to get into it right now. I don't have anything against Skype I am just saying that it isn't for me at the moment.
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I now live in the U.S., also that is why I said Skype just isn't for me at the time.