iPhone and video calling

[pp1gonzo]

Interesting post on products about the 3G iPhone and video calling. If Apple can really pull this off, they are going to seriously change the way we think about mobile calling. Wonder if Apple TV has a future in this mix.

 

[s8film40]

This is what I am personally waiting for. This will be the deciding factor for me whether or not I get the new iPhone.

 

[blueflame]

Oh yea!

Amen. this is my deciding factor as well. i will buy day 1 with this feature, or in 6 months probably without.

 

[neven]

And before the "who NEEDS this??" mob rolls in, some examples of people who could and would really use video phoning:

- Students away from home
- People who travel on business
- People who'd like to stay in touch with their families
- Kids who spend ages toying around with webcams

 

[saving107]

And before the "who NEEDS this??" mob rolls in, some examples of people who could and would really use video phoning:

- Students away from home
- People who travel on business
- People who'd like to stay in touch with their families
- Kids who spend ages toying around with webcams

This is exactly why I want video chat, I work about 90 miles
away from home and I don't always get go home when I want, so using
my iMac at home and my iPhone I'd like to use video chat to stay in touch
with my family wile I'm away.

 

[BongoBanger]

Hardly anyone uses it although it's a nice to have.

 

[ruinfx]

AT&T is what is holding back video calling in the US. dont think that just because you get a front facing camera that all of a sudden you can make video calls.

 

[BongoBanger]

AT&T is what is holding back video calling in the US. dont think that just because you get a front facing camera that all of a sudden you can make video calls.

Eh?

AT&T's 3G network should be quite capable of hosting video calling.

 

[ruinfx]

Eh?

AT&T's 3G network should be quite capable of hosting video calling.

my point is that its not cell phone hardware holding us back because there are plenty of phones already with front facing cameras for video calling. its not really something apple can do, AT&T has to offer the service. they currently only provide one-way video sharing.

 

[frosse]

Interesting post on products about the 3G iPhone and video calling. If Apple can really pull this off, they are going to seriously change the way we think about mobile calling. Wonder if Apple TV has a future in this mix.

I don't see how Apple can change the way we communicate since video calling has been around for years in Europe. I guess it goes for you Americans.

 

[DreamPod]

I think video calling is just a gimmick, a way to sell 3G phones. Even in Europe where it's been around for a while most people don't use it.

 

[s8film40]

I think video calling is just a gimmick, a way to sell 3G phones. Even in Europe where it's been around for a while most people don't use it.

I agree that it is just a gimmick presently, what I am hoping is that Apple will do it in such a seamless way that it becomes a useful everyday tool. A little over a year ago a touch screen phone was considered a gimmick, most of the features on the iPhone were and still are really considered gimmicks on other phones. That's what's been great about the iPhone is it takes the existing technology available in the cell phone market and makes it useful.

 

[ScoobyDoofus]

In my experience, I've only used video calling over 3G when drunk to pull stupid faces at my friends. It would be nice to be able to have face to face contact with my partner when we're apart because of business trips or whatever though.

However, if this was implemented in a way that lets you use this hypothetical front camera over //wifi// for, say, iChat - rather cool. Skype would be even better.