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Using iMessage while FaceTiming - Is it possible?

C

charisma7

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jan 23, 2013
8
0
I know this probably seems like the silliest question in the world, but for the life of me (and all the googling you could possibly imagine), I can't find the answer.

I know that when I'm on a call and someone sends me an iMessage, it fails over to SMS because . . . well . . . I suppose it's because I'm a call and don't have an "available" data connection, right?

Well...does the same thing apply to FaceTime? I'm curious because FaceTime uses WiFi, and I'd THINK that means I still have a cellular data connection available for sending/receiving iMessages, but maybe not.

Basically, the question is: If I'm on FaceTime via WiFi, will iMessages fail over to SMS like they do when I'm on a regular phone call?

Thanks, all!
 
I'm going to assume you have Verizon or Sprint. CDMA networks can't do data and voice simultaneously that's why iMessage fails when you are on a call (hell I rarely get SMS when I'm on a call).

If you are on a call and hooked to wifi you should still get your iMessages. Same applies if you are on FaceTime, even more so actually because you are only using data.

This is why GSM networks like tmo and AT&T really shine on the iPhone since you can do data and voice at the same time.

Its not a problem for a lot of LTE phones because they use two different radios for voice and LTE. Unfortunately the iPhone doesn't have the extra radio even with the 5.
 
cynics said:
I'm going to assume you have Verizon or Sprint. CDMA networks can't do data and voice simultaneously that's why iMessage fails when you are on a call (hell I rarely get SMS when I'm on a call).

If you are on a call and hooked to wifi you should still get your iMessages. Same applies if you are on FaceTime, even more so actually because you are only using data.
Click to expand...

To put in plainly, then (because sometimes I need that, and yes...I have Verizon): If I'm on a FaceTime call and someone sends me an iMessage, it will come through as a standard iMessage and NOT fail over to SMS. Calls are different, though.

Is that correct? Thank you for your help, either way. It's been bugging me. :)
 
charisma7 said:
To put in plainly, then (because sometimes I need that, and yes...I have Verizon): If I'm on a FaceTime call and someone sends me an iMessage, it will come through as a standard iMessage and NOT fail over to SMS. Calls are different, though.

Is that correct? Thank you for your help, either way. It's been bugging me. :)
Click to expand...

I have a feeling that you're receive as a iMessage, since Verizon can't handle Voice/data at the same time, you're using data for the FT call, the message comes it, can't get a "voice" connection, and has to revert to iMessage. That's just my guess.
 
Now I'm more confused. Sorry.

I understand why the iMessage during phone call fails over to SMS (Verizon can't do voice/data at the same time).

BUT if I'm on FaceTime via WiFi, that would NOT be voice, and I'd still be able to receive messages as iMessages...is what I'm thinking after the first reply. Yes? No???
 
charisma7 said:
Now I'm more confused. Sorry.

I understand why the iMessage during phone call fails over to SMS (Verizon can't do voice/data at the same time).

BUT if I'm on FaceTime via WiFi, that would NOT be voice, and I'd still be able to receive messages as iMessages...is what I'm thinking after the first reply. Yes? No???
Click to expand...

FaceTime uses data, just like iMessage. So either way on Wi-Fi or 3G/LTE you would be able to access them (unless you are actually voice calling someone, which wouldn't let you use any data at all unless you're on Wi-Fi).

And no to your last question on the first post.
 
Verizon's CDMA network can do voice and data at the same time. However the iPhone on Verizon was not built to support it.
 
cynics said:
I'm going to assume you have Verizon or Sprint. CDMA networks can't do data and voice simultaneously that's why iMessage fails when you are on a call (hell I rarely get SMS when I'm on a call).

If you are on a call and hooked to wifi you should still get your iMessages. Same applies if you are on FaceTime, even more so actually because you are only using data.

This is why GSM networks like tmo and AT&T really shine on the iPhone since you can do data and voice at the same time.

Its not a problem for a lot of LTE phones because they use two different radios for voice and LTE. Unfortunately the iPhone doesn't have the extra radio even with the 5.
Click to expand...

Um, Facetime doesn't use voice, it's data.





adam044 said:
You poor Verizon people AT&T FTW!!
Click to expand...


Poor Verizon people? Better service, cheaper plan, bigger network, largest 4g network?




cynics said:
I don't know if I'd knock Verizon or praise AT&T but I definitely agree GSM > CDMA
Click to expand...

In terms of 3g speeds (due to hspa+), and phone flexibility yes, but GSM really falls behind CDMA indoors.

My wife had at&t and couldn't talk indoors more than 10 feet away from a door or Window. Didn't work very well at work either but when she switched to Verizon, she gets a very strong signal in both places.

CDMA = GSM

they have different pros and cons
 
:)
 

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thehustleman said:
Um, Facetime doesn't use voice, it's data.








Poor Verizon people? Better service, cheaper plan, bigger network, largest 4g network?






In terms of 3g speeds (due to hspa+), and phone flexibility yes, but GSM really falls behind CDMA indoors.

My wife had at&t and couldn't talk indoors more than 10 feet away from a door or Window. Didn't work very well at work either but when she switched to Verizon, she gets a very strong signal in both places.

CDMA = GSM

they have different pros and cons
Click to expand...

I specially said FaceTime uses data. Don't know what you are on about there. And while CDMA bands may penetrate better at times I've stood by plenty of windows and doors using a CDMA Verizon phone over the last 12 years or so.

It depends on your needs and who offers the best service in your area. I've found Verizon's voice to be pretty good. But data severely lacking. Plus voice and data would be extremely useful to me.
 
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ElZeus said:
Verizon's CDMA network can do voice and data at the same time. However the iPhone on Verizon was not built to support it.
Click to expand...

While true, VERY few phones support it. The tech is called SVDO. Few phones support it because few countries have CDMA networks in comparison.

A lot of LTE phones can do voice and data because there are two radios. If you were on one of those phones and dropped off LTE back to 3G you'd lose data. I don't blame apple for not incorporating that method because it can be a battery hog.

Lets not forget the LTE is a GSM tech. People that generally (not all) like Verizon is because of their large LTE network not because CDMA is better. And since building penetration is based on the frequency used I can't think of a single reason CDMA (as a whole) is better then GSM.
 
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Actually, AT&T uses UMTS, which according to Wikipedia, is like GSM and is comparable to CDMA.
 
cynics said:
While true, VERY few phones support it. The tech is called SVDO. Few phones support it because few countries have CDMA networks in comparison.

A lot of LTE phones can do voice and data because there are two radios. If you were on one of those phones and dropped off LTE back to 3G you'd lose data. I don't blame apple for not incorporating that method because it can be a battery hog.

Lets not forget the LTE is a GSM tech. People that generally (not all) like Verizon is because of their large LTE network not because CDMA is better. And since building penetration is based on the frequency used I can't think of a single reason CDMA (as a whole) is better then GSM.
Click to expand...

Actually CDMA does perpetrate buildings better.

CDMA is actually a superior technology to GSM. It propagates further, works better inside structures, has built in noise cancellation, more calls per cel cite, automatically hands off calls to different cel cites to minimize congestion, and works better in low signal areas to name a few.
Click to expand...


http://www.diffen.com/difference/CDMA_vs_GSM
 
Goodness, the back and forth of this thread is mind boggling.

OP, if you still don't understand, why bit just try it? Hop on face time. Send a couple iMessages. Teceive a couple iMessages. What happens? There's your answer. ;)

----------
thehustleman said:
Actually CDMA does perpetrate buildings better.




http://www.diffen.com/difference/CDMA_vs_GSM
Click to expand...

Hers the deal. You arent the first person i have seen bring this up. And I won't argue what tech is better. I will say that in almost every case I have had better indoor reception on AT&T than my wife has on Verizon. And this includes our travels across the US. It honestly shocked me at first, because I feel the bias was that Verizon is the better network for the longest time. I can only go with my own experiences. Tech theory on paper means virtually nothing during real work needs/use.
 
thehustleman said:
Actually CDMA does perpetrate buildings better.




http://www.diffen.com/difference/CDMA_vs_GSM
Click to expand...

While that was true and still is to a mild extent the technology has caught up. Your overall signal will make a bigger difference. I hang out with a buddy in his club room which is in his basement I don't get service on Verizon and he does on AT&T. I do upstairs but not as strong as his.

We can throw links back and forth all day. Here's one

"Again, during the initial days, both technologies couldn't find building penetration in the right way. But after research in signaling systems, and through experience, service providers of both technologies have been able to provide decent service to the mobile phones that are being used inside buildings and similar structures.

Both score. Goal count 7 - 5"

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/gsm-vs-cdma.html

They rated penetration higher on GSM.
 
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DayOfChaos said:
Upset or cry? lol? I posted and clicked off and forgot about this topic 10 seconds later. The joke isn't funny cause it isn't true.
Click to expand...

You must be unfamiliar with hyperbolic comedy. You basically take an issue and vastly over exaggerate it. That's all that was done here. Sorry you didn't find it amusing. I thought it was pretty good, especially the specific images used.
 
lordofthereef said:
You must be unfamiliar with hyperbolic comedy. You basically take an issue and vastly over exaggerate it. That's all that was done here. Sorry you didn't find it amusing. I thought it was pretty good, especially the specific images used.
Click to expand...
I guess I don't find overhyped, misguided "facts" put into a picture funny. Did I grow up or something?
 
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