The appeal of FaceTime is more than just video chat - it's the seamless call setup. Skype requires a separate account and download and it still isn't a household name for a lot of non-tech users.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Live Coverage of Verizon's Media Event
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
The appeal of FaceTime is more than just video chat - it's the seamless call setup. Skype requires a separate account and download and it still isn't a household name for a lot of non-tech users.
The predictions were true, people like you bitched about only being to use the phone with AT&T and bragging about how great VZ is, and now that it's out you're already trollishly complaining about verizon's "sub-par" network
theres no way the 5 will come to verizon in june just not possible, secondly what else can apple actually do to make the iPhone better? better camera? whoopie do, it already does HD video, cant get the screen much clearer then it is. Possible antenna relocation, thats a real big upgrade! NOT
Surely
Guest
Doesn't look like crap when I've used it, and I've used it on the beach and walking into the ocean in Miami.😕
You need to try it. When you have this feature, it is amazing. My wife calls me (or I call her), send pictures, give directions (Maps). You don't know what you are missing!
Also, Visual Voice Mail is nice when the updates are made during a voice call. I could actually listen to the message and see who it is....in case it is an emergency.
Something is a bit of with the sites.
If I go to Verizon's site, it says I'm not elligible (even though I'm up for an annual upgrade)....however, if I go to Apple's site, it says I am eligible.
How odd??
If I go to Verizon's site, it says I'm not elligible (even though I'm up for an annual upgrade)....however, if I go to Apple's site, it says I am eligible.
How odd??
Surely
Guest
Not a household name? My wife's 75 year old non-tech aunt and uncle use Skype..
ChazUK
macrumors 603
http://techcrunch.com/2011/01/11/hands-on-with-the-verizon-iphone/
Looks like TechCrunch has had a brief hands on.
Looks like TechCrunch has had a brief hands on.
I guess Tim Cook will eventually replace Steve Jobs as the next CEO. He is slowly getting the spotlight.
FaceTime would still be partially useful on EVDO, since you could initiate a FaceTime call via email address in your contacts.
Moyank24
macrumors 601
Lot of people care...especially about talking and being able to access data. And I don't know what I would do without visual voicemail. These would be deal breakers for quite a few..just because you don't care about them doesn't mean nobody else does.
MarlboroLite
macrumors 6502a
So verizon customers can pre-order the 3rd but they will get it the 10th like everyone else? Disappointed it's going to take an entire month to be available.
Also disappointed they didn't make it a world phone. Otherwise everything else is just as expected.
Also disappointed they didn't make it a world phone. Otherwise everything else is just as expected.
My girlfriend has had the iphone for 2 years now 3gs then the 4 and honestly ive sen her use it like twice if that, nowadays most people don't even talk on the phone its all about texting
Too much work for others I want to call, like my parents. They need to have Skype running on their iPod Touch. Too complicated. FaceTime just works and is always on.
balamw
Moderator emeritus
QuarterSwede
macrumors G4
- I talk on the phone and use data a lot actually. It's pretty useful.
- at&t has wifi hotspots all over the place and you automatically connect to one if you've ever been on one before. I am surprised at how many times I end up on one.
- Rollover has saved my tail many times actually.
- Visual Voicemail is very convenient. It's obviously an enhancement to the voicemail system everyone hates.
*Shrug* my 62 year old mom doesn't know what it is. She just got a smart phone now, she wouldn't be to keen on "this app is the Phone. This app over here is almost just like Phone, but you have to sign up for an account, blah blah blah".
They do the same thing to me...and I ask myself "why the hell would I buy an upgrade phone at that not-so-great-discount price 4 months before my CONTRACT expires and I can switch to another company and get the LATEST iPhone and possibly a better promotion?!"
They do it because they feel a certain % of their customer base is stupid (and they are) and will sign up rather than Google and read some articles for 5 minutes to see if it's even worth it. 🙂
Although I hate ATT's coverage and 3G speeds, I use my phone 90% at home...so I use my WIFI and luckily I can make calls. But if I were to travel more often, I would dump ATT in a heartbeat.
For those who think Verizon is perfect and AT&T is the devil incarnate, all that's necessary should be the current phone.
My guess is that iPhone 5 will be available for both carriers in June, with LTE coming, perhaps on a universal phone, in 2012.
But what do I know?
Yeah and when a "text" or "pic message" is transmitting (2-20 seconds) your calls will go straight to voicemail on Verizon. Yuck.
swarmster
macrumors 6502a
Not to pick on you specifically, but why are so many users here calendar-challenged? The current iPhone came out less than 7 months ago. Not a year. Also, new iPhones come out late June/early July. That's about half a year from now. Selling someone the best phone available now, and then releasing a new model in half a year is not even close to an unreasonable thing for either party to do.
If for some reason you feel ripped off every time a new phone comes out, I would suggest never looking at the Android phone release schedule.
Surely
Guest
You can keep Skype signed in in the background.....
Of course I agree, FaceTime is better integrated with iOS. Skype is still an easy to use alternative.
nefan65
macrumors 65816
Not really...at least not for the over 30 somethings...maybe for the younger crowd, yes. They're slowly becoming introverts. Maybe longterm, yes...but I see voice-text taking over...
Judging by this, I would venture to say that there will either be an update to iPhone 5 mid-late summer or, to many's surprise, not at all this year. This is also considering the still yet-to-arrive white iPhone 4- which is still featured on Apple's main iPhone4 web page.