Since FaceTime isn't a phone call how do you contact?

[Julien]

Since FaceTime isn't a phone call how do you contact another party? Do you use there email address or is there some other IP based identifier that will be added to Contacts?

EDIT: I see Apple says "Just find her entry in your Contacts and tap the FaceTime button". Does this mean that other iPhone 4 users (or future FaceTime enabled devices) in your Contacts will have the FaceTime button enabled automatically or is it something you must configure?

 

[Rhalliwell1]

Since FaceTime isn't a phone call how do you contact another party? Do you use there email address or is there some other IP based identifier that will be added to Contacts?

I think it will be very similar to Skype. Either username/Apple ID/Email.

 

[pika2000]

Since FaceTime isn't a phone call how do you contact another party? Do you use there email address or is there some other IP based identifier that will be added to Contacts?

I have a feeling it will be connected to mobileMe, thus the rumored of freemium model for MobileMe, so everybody will have an account.

 

[adamdodson]

I don't know. The video at the bottom of this page makes me think it's more like a phone call, but it'll only show up if you're both on WiFi.

 

[Julien]

I don't know. The video at the bottom of this page makes me think it's more like a phone call, but it'll only show up if you're both on WiFi.

No it's not a phone call (using phone lines, phone numbers or phone protocols) but uses the Internet.

 

[adamdodson]

No it's not a phone call (using phone lines, phone numbers or phone protocols) but uses the Internet.

Thanks. Did you even watch that video? You make a call and then it looks like it switches to wifi seamlessly to do the video call.

 

[marksman]

I am assuming it uses the phone number to do the connection. Obviously there is some sort of middleman service to link calls up, but it looks like it just uses a phone number.

 

[biohazardous]

For the sake of the Deaf Community --

I sure hope that a phone call is not required to establish connection because 90 percent of deaf people I know that has iPhone has the data only plans.

 

[ravenvii]

In the keynote, Jobs makes it seem like you call the third party, then click a icon or something, and somehow it connects to the third party's iPhone based on their phone number, then connects via FaceTime.

But that would make zero sense for the iPod touch and the iPad, so I'm just as clueless.

I really hope it's not tied to MobileMe or some such. It should be an open system, similar to XMPP/Jabber and the such. We don't need another AIM (**** AOL).