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iChat AV - No Longer Beta

TABS?

why can't they add tabs? I can't stand all those open chat windows. Looks like I'm gonna have to stick to using ADIUM a little bit longer.
 
Still not ready for prime time, IMHO... we need real groups, real buddy icons (the proper size w/ animation support), voice chat with AIM users, info/profile support, etc etc etc...

For now, my ad-less hax0red up version of AIM works great :D

adlessaim.png
 
Speaking of the difference between the beta and the final, here's the issues I have encountered in the beta version:

- When voice chat is in progress, the sound quality goes bad. I imagine this is the bandwidth adjustment issue. Beta doesn't automatically adjust to the current highest available bandwidth? When the connection goes low, beta will lower the sound quality, but doesn't restore it to the higher bandwidth?

- DV camcorder image doesn't appear with the right screen aspect ratio.

I haven't checked these yet with the final, but I hope they've fixed it.
 
one thing is fixed at least

when holding your mouse over a name in the buddy list, the away messages now wrap the window, rather than extending it far past the edge of your screen. Not really a big deal, but a major convience.
 
Re: IT does support ICQ tho

A lot of people use ICQ. This shouldn't be a problem for too much longer since ICQ users will be able to talk to AOL users and vice versa.

MSN is just an insult, you have to get a 'passport' account. I refuse to do that. Shame for the people who use MSN tho - can't use iChat for it.
Originally posted by zaphoyd
no that anyone really uses ICQ. Everybody I know uses AIM so its not really a problem here.
Click to expand...
 
Panther to Jaguar Audio chat

Has anyone had any difficulty chatting from Panther to someone using the beta on Jaguar?

Anytime I try to strike an audio chat to my still Panther/iChat AV beta friend it fails with a "did not repond". This happens in both directions, him calling me or me calling him.

Update:

Its working again. Nevermind. I do believe that Steve said at WWDC that ichat beta would expire at the end of the year, meaning december.
 
Given the amount of free apps out there, there is no way iChat is worth $30 until:

AIM users can video chat (not Apple's fault, but so what?)

Cam support is greatly extended

MSN is supported.

They may have stopped calling Beta, but that doesn't mean it isn't one.
 
I guess I dont understand why anyone would pay $29.99 to use a chat programe when you can gert free alternatives

I mostly use yahoo chat, and as far as im aware that isnt supported at all.

I just dont understand the phychology behind charging for a new piece of software, which lacks functinoality. its just plain stupid.

jay
 
what you are paying for is the A/V part.

Regular iChat (text only) is free. Also remember it comes free with panther, so most people will not be paying. You certainly dont have to use it as well.. Nobody is forcing anyone to buy it...
 
Why no video settings?

A very serious and astounding omission is the ability to adjust the video input settings. Adjusting them makes a world of difference, especially if you are using a cam like iSight in a low light situation. The astounding part is that it takes virtually zero effort to add this to any video application, as just one QuickTime call brings up the full settings dialog. Try any other video program (almost all have the ability to change video settings) and see the huge improvement you can get...
 
Originally posted by jouster
Given the amount of free apps out there, there is no way iChat is worth $30 until:

AIM users can video chat (not Apple's fault, but so what?)

Cam support is greatly extended

MSN is supported.

They may have stopped calling Beta, but that doesn't mean it isn't one.
Click to expand...

Are you comparing AOL IM to iChat?. Does the AOL client have the same quality in video and audio chat?. iChat has a beautiful and clean UI when compared to AOL's ad ridden spam client, no thanks!. You can use iChat with any firewire or DV cam (thats not enough?) and iSight works with many IM apps. Support for MSN?, like you said there are many alternatives out there so use one of them and leave iChat the way it is. One of MS major flaws is that it crams its apps with to many features, making it bloated and worthless. I think Apple should add just a few more features but thats it.
 
Does anyone know if the beta is still available for download for Jaguar? I'm trying to convince my friend to upgrade to Panther, so it would be helpful if he thought that the permanent version of iChat AV was worth the upgrade.
 
Doesn't look like its still available. It has been pulled off the website. I have the beta and I'm using Jaguar - if it does support ICQ that'd be great. One less applicaiton I have running.
 
Re: TABS?

Originally posted by agentmouthwash
why can't they add tabs? I can't stand all those open chat windows. Looks like I'm gonna have to stick to using ADIUM a little bit longer.
Click to expand...

Exactly! man if i am talking to three people, even two is bad, a 1/4 of my screen is taken. Highly annoying!
 
Another Big Question

When does my Jaguar Beta iChat start going "Sorry the beta period has expired".
 
failed at demo

Much to the chagrin of the good people at the Panther release at the Apple Store in Lenox Mall, in Atlanta, the iChat demo repeatedly failed with ("iSight in use by other application"). I did buy an iSight, because I wanted a toy and because I couldn't get the education price on Panther in the store. It would be very nice to have video settings in iChat. It's a little frustrating to watch a mirror image of oneself. I understand the logic of it: most might be confused by holding up a right and and seeing it on the left on screen. I would like the ability to flip the image. Also, I'd like to be able to flip the image upside down so the I could better place the camera. I suspect all of these issues will be released in an update as BRAND NEW FEATURE!!!
Perhaps the iSight will gain Windows interoperability like the iPod. One hopes, as I've been unable to Switch all of my Windows brethren.
 
Originally posted by yamadataro
- When voice chat is in progress, the sound quality goes bad. I imagine this is the bandwidth adjustment issue. Beta doesn't automatically adjust to the current highest available bandwidth? When the connection goes low, beta will lower the sound quality, but doesn't restore it to the higher bandwidth?

- DV camcorder image doesn't appear with the right screen aspect ratio.
Click to expand...

I've found that sound quality would slowly go bad with a chat for every version since first release. My work around is just to hit the mute button when I'm not talking every once in awhile. Kinda' annoying, but it resets whatever it needs to to make my voice to the other person clear again. The other party has to do the same thing to make it clear for you again. So it requires a little training. ;)

As for the DV cam corder, i used to be able to use iChat with my regular sony camcorder, but not it doesn't work on my panther iChat a/v iBook. Kinda weird. Anyone else find this issue?
 
shortsighted isight

what bothers me most of all is that ichat a/v is not included with the isight. so you spend $220 (CDN) only to find out that you have to spend another $40 (roughly) so you can use the damn thing. i know its a ploy to get people to buy panther but it comes off as being really cheap. i work at an authorized mac dealer and this is pissing customers off left, right, and centre.
 
Yep.
The iSight only has one purpose really.... to A+V chat.
So getting this Apple branded iSight (love it, though!) should give you the right to be able to use it. So you should get iChat AV for free with it, as it is not cheap for "another" webcam.

Oh well, I got my Panther and iSight anyways... :D
 
give feedback

For those that would like to see added features (video controlls, Tabbed chattings etc...) try providing Apple feedback
#1 with iChat open click iChat on the menu bar
#2 about the 4th option down is "Provide iChat feedback"

maybe they just don't know that enough people want these features. this would be a great place to let them know. Apple likes to be on-top of the game and I'm sure they do read the feedback.

I just did (I'm a big fan of the tabbed chatting windows idea)

anyhow just a thought,
 
ack...I just had my first iChat AV session with a friend the other day. He is on a budget and may not be upgrading to 10.3 anytime soon. Oh well.

Granted, he works for a college, he can get Panther for $69 (edu discount), so I'm hoping that helps entice him to upgrade.

Another friend who uses iChat will NOT be upgrading to 10.3, until Digidesign releases a ProTools LE patch for 10.3 (mid-November, according to their site).
 
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