FaceTime is an open standard for communication. An android port could potentially be made and supported over 3g. It has nothing to do with 'wifi only'.
@DoctarPeppar indeed it does, i have tested it. it also works on any other chat client (exept msn they changed there stuff so you cant use it) that supports voice/video, that would mean yahoo, ect, ect
@DoctarPeppar I think it was smart of Apple to make all their Facetime promo vids with people that are indoors. Its not like people can get god wifi outdoors.
@justinisyoung What do you mean when you say : "it may be just me, but i think facetime might be less 'open' than apple wants it to seem." Wanna share ?
And by the way, why the insane screen-estate waste? 50% of the screen is just white... I guess a full screen view wouldn´t look that good...
@Shalabi 1: "open standard" does not mean standard anyway. its just a word to make you believe its a standard. It's 100% unstandard, but the specs are open.
2: XMPP is standard, its widely used, supports audio/video and theres many open source implementations as well as closed source ones. its also technically sound, people just aren't too much into video because its not been marketed a lot
@DoctarPeppar Actually AT&T offers around 20 phones that can use it's $5 a month "Video Share" over 3G with better quality than this. The reason Apple's Facetime is Wifi only is simple. It's same reason you can jailbreak your iPhone and use an App to do real full Multi-tasking without Apple's spanking your hand. It's simple really..... 3G networks do not support Garden Walled Multi-tasking or any interactive web content on the server side. That's why when you play videos on YouTube, it suspends Safari and opens a device side player along with pre-caching of the file. Two interactive video is NOT supported over a garden wall on 3G. So the first thing I'd do...... if I was fool enough to buy a iPhone 4 before buying the Moto 2ghz phones or HTC with 1.2 dual core Arm chips with monster screen contrast ratios & full 1280x800 screens..... is JAIL BREAK that sucker!!! :D
@hill60 don't know where yours is from but in some countries the X10 has a front camera and a light sensor on the front of the phone my neighbor has one when he comes in I will take a picture for you and show you
I agree, the video chat is not what is going to make me buy a phone, I've had phones in the past with it and never used it. Maybe it will be adopted this go around, lol like 3D is said to finnaly be adopted.
@Shalabi I love how apple acts as if they are the first to create video chat.
my shitty 200$ nokia from 2006 does this, im not sure what the big deal is about a WIFI only, IPHONE - IPHONE service.
My understanding is Android can do this a number of ways, through the usual video chat method (liike my nokia) which are supported and charged for by the carriers, and also the newer net using methods (carriers dont touch these, it just takes bandwidth, and also works in wifi).
@Gaurav42 I love how posters act as if any time Apple does something, they act like they're the first to do it, when that's almost NEVER the case. In fact, they often openly admit they aren't the first, they just say (like any company would of their own product) that their version of it is a better implementation.
@Plazmic Flame The Dell Streak is a phenomenal device. Fantastic large screen, really works well with the engadget app. Tendency, for the abck cover to fall off and shut the device off sometimes. (Hey, Dell what's with that!!! - pretty poor stuff.)
No idea why the UK got the Streak first, but loving it - unless they were testing market acceptance with that back cover ;-).
No cases available yet - a real issue. The silk puch doesn't cut it.
@Gaurav42 And how often did you use this video chat feature? Look, Apple is often not the first who brings a new technology to the market (well sometimes they are, but not always), but they are almost always the ones who build a technology in a way that it is actually usable and enjoyable. Take web surfing on a smartphone for example - has been available YEARS before the iPhone was announced, but the iPhone was the first that made web surfing on a smartphone really usable and enjoyable. It was only after the iPhone, that web surfing has actually really been used by a large number of people.
And I'm sure it will be the same with video calling. It has been there for years, but nobody uses it. Why? Because it has low quality, it was expensive, didn't always work as expected, was complex to use and so on. Apple, again, is the first who built video calling in a way that everybody can use it, in a way that it actually really works and is really fun to use. When i just look at this horrible Fring UI for video calling I want to puke, I mean, come on, this looks awful. Have you seen screenshots of FaceTime? THIS is how it should look. And you know why FaceTime is limited to Wi-Fi? Because only with Wi-Fi it is guaranteed that it really works - that there is a good picture with good audio and with less delay. And this is all that Apple is al about - they build something only when it really, REALLY works.
@Shalabi You don't know that. It may actually not be efficient enough to be usable over 3G. You know, it might have some kind of intermittent bugginess commonly inherent to many of Apple's processes such as was evident with the process used to purchase iPhone 4s that malfunctioned in so many different ways.
It's not that the Facetime protocol isn't open. It's just than Apple introduced another random voice call protocol that literally NOTHING else uses when there have been voice call protocols that are popular, and works for like a decade or more.
We'll have to see how well Facetime works away from Apple's oversaturated Wi-Fi at WWDC, but I can't imagine it being much better than Skype or Fringe, besides being able to switch from one camera to the other which I'm not sure that other programs can do.
@metalshinobi: Actually, you can cut it with a knife, cause it's sh*t, just like Android. Fring and Qik for the epic fcuking fail, as both are laggy and buggy as sh*t, just like the entire Android platform. FaceTime is WiFi only and iPhone 4 to 4 only because that's the only parameter that will deliver a consistent and robust user experience, not some dog post.
Let's face it, Android only exists for suckers locked into non-AT&T vendors and clowns who think they're too cool for the Apple Store.
You guys have not dont your homework....Apple has stated in their press that ichat video needs high bandwidth and only works good on high bandwidth. I am pretty sure that facetime is something like ichat video. True Att network is garbage BUT facetime seems to me to be ichat lite but still needs the high bandwidth.
Now that we've thrown 'em off the trail, use the form below to get in touch with the people at Engadget. Please fill in all of the required fields because they're required.
FaceTime is an open standard for communication. An android port could potentially be made and supported over 3g. It has nothing to do with 'wifi only'.
@Shalabi
it may be just me, but i think facetime might be less 'open' than apple wants it to seem.
@dgtlber
Yeah, Feck that Shat!
@reiththestud
Wow, it'd be nice of the post I'm responding to doesn't magically disappear. It makes my post look silly.
@Shalabi
Open standard doesn't mean open source...
@Shalabi
The only reason it's wifi only is because AT&T has a garbage network.
@Shalabi
Also, does facetime work with ichat (desktop users)?
Cause fring most certainly does since it uses Skype.
@DoctarPeppar indeed it does, i have tested it. it also works on any other chat client (exept msn they changed there stuff so you cant use it) that supports voice/video, that would mean yahoo, ect, ect
@Shalabi
Take that FaceTime!
@Shalabi The SE x10 does have a front facing camera the x10a(which is the US version)does not have one.
@DoctarPeppar
I think it was smart of Apple to make all their Facetime promo vids with people that are indoors. Its not like people can get god wifi outdoors.
I think this Fring will be way more popular.
@justinisyoung
What do you mean when you say : "it may be just me, but i think facetime might be less 'open' than apple wants it to seem."
Wanna share ?
And by the way, why the insane screen-estate waste? 50% of the screen is just white... I guess a full screen view wouldn´t look that good...
Oh, and yes , Apple, iPhone uzw. sucks. Yada yada. *pffffff....*
@reiththestud
any anti apple comment that i post gets erased
engadget must have entered a filter.
@lillydew
And all of a sudden video chat is a must have on smartphones. And also the most important feature for smartphone comparison and dominance.
@EGOvoruhk Never said it did. x.264 is an open standard and is supported on just about everything. FaceTime could follow the exact same path.
@HotWalk
in fact the apple promo does show a woman videoing outdoors
@dgtlber
Nah, it's not Engadget. They are cool. It's your computer that got sick of your trolling.
@who said what
Blog # of Comments
Engadget 24 Comments
Engadget HD 1 Comment
Yeah because this is considered trolling.
@dgtlber
Ok, "attempted trolling"...
there... fixed! :)
@Shalabi
1: "open standard" does not mean standard anyway. its just a word to make you believe its a standard. It's 100% unstandard, but the specs are open.
2: XMPP is standard, its widely used, supports audio/video and theres many open source implementations as well as closed source ones. its also technically sound, people just aren't too much into video because its not been marketed a lot
@Shalabi
Who the hell wants video calling on a cellphone anyway? Not only is it a silly feature, but I can't imagine battery life being in on the fun.
@dgtlber no filter, idiots like you get erased by default.
@justinisyoung Man...this is quite impressive...there is almost no lag...way to go fring!
@justinisyoung: Another "The Apple iPhone 4 Envy Is So Thick You Can Cut It With A Knife' post.
@DoctarPeppar Actually AT&T offers around 20 phones that can use it's $5 a month "Video Share" over 3G with better quality than this. The reason Apple's Facetime is Wifi only is simple. It's same reason you can jailbreak your iPhone and use an App to do real full Multi-tasking without Apple's spanking your hand. It's simple really..... 3G networks do not support Garden Walled Multi-tasking or any interactive web content on the server side. That's why when you play videos on YouTube, it suspends Safari and opens a device side player along with pre-caching of the file. Two interactive video is NOT supported over a garden wall on 3G. So the first thing I'd do...... if I was fool enough to buy a iPhone 4 before buying the Moto 2ghz phones or HTC with 1.2 dual core Arm chips with monster screen contrast ratios & full 1280x800 screens..... is JAIL BREAK that sucker!!! :D
@Shalabi
So then you think Apple is going to port FaceTime to Android?..
Also, X264 is open source, which is why it's supported on everything
@Shalabi How is facetime open if it was created by apple and this is an honest question not trying to be snotty or anything
@justinisyoung it is. IPhone to iPhone kills it imo. I dislike being forced to do things a certain way. I like my phone to work how I see fit.
@who said what
??? I don´t think videochat is must have at all, if that´s what you meant. Was it ?
@DoctarPeppar you know this only because you read one sided blogs.We have 110% no problems with AT&T
@TheOne Nah, couldn't see it on my one:-
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hill60/4714919247/in/set-72157624311740988/
@Failbait Ok you're right, let's ban all video chat.
It's good to see companies interested in developing for those of us not in the collective. I look forward to a WebOS app soon.
@kroneage, first off, you're not making any DAMN sense. Lastly, video-share (crap) is ONEWAY!
@hill60 don't know where yours is from but in some countries the X10 has a front camera and a light sensor on the front of the phone my neighbor has one when he comes in I will take a picture for you and show you
@Ariel Bender ... should I point out that he messed up his analogy and phrasing in the same sentence?
Too bad you can't delete posts haha.
@justinisyoung
I agree, the video chat is not what is going to make me buy a phone, I've had phones in the past with it and never used it. Maybe it will be adopted this go around, lol like 3D is said to finnaly be adopted.
@justinisyoung ikr? i dont trust them at all. hopefully fring, skype and others announce updates to their iphone apps to support video conferencing.
@Shalabi
I love how apple acts as if they are the first to create video chat.
my shitty 200$ nokia from 2006 does this, im not sure what the big deal is about a WIFI only, IPHONE - IPHONE service.
My understanding is Android can do this a number of ways, through the usual video chat method (liike my nokia) which are supported and charged for by the carriers, and also the newer net using methods (carriers dont touch these, it just takes bandwidth, and also works in wifi).
Does anyone know if that is true?
@Shalabi
That's a stupid response. So do you suggest banning all the foods you don't like?
@Gaurav42 I love how posters act as if any time Apple does something, they act like they're the first to do it, when that's almost NEVER the case. In fact, they often openly admit they aren't the first, they just say (like any company would of their own product) that their version of it is a better implementation.
I need the freakin' Dell Streak right now!!
@Plazmic Flame
The Dell Streak is a phenomenal device. Fantastic large screen, really works well with the engadget app. Tendency, for the abck cover to fall off and shut the device off sometimes. (Hey, Dell what's with that!!! - pretty poor stuff.)
No idea why the UK got the Streak first, but loving it - unless they were testing market acceptance with that back cover ;-).
No cases available yet - a real issue. The silk puch doesn't cut it.
@Gaurav42 And how often did you use this video chat feature? Look, Apple is often not the first who brings a new technology to the market (well sometimes they are, but not always), but they are almost always the ones who build a technology in a way that it is actually usable and enjoyable. Take web surfing on a smartphone for example - has been available YEARS before the iPhone was announced, but the iPhone was the first that made web surfing on a smartphone really usable and enjoyable. It was only after the iPhone, that web surfing has actually really been used by a large number of people.
And I'm sure it will be the same with video calling. It has been there for years, but nobody uses it. Why? Because it has low quality, it was expensive, didn't always work as expected, was complex to use and so on. Apple, again, is the first who built video calling in a way that everybody can use it, in a way that it actually really works and is really fun to use. When i just look at this horrible Fring UI for video calling I want to puke, I mean, come on, this looks awful. Have you seen screenshots of FaceTime? THIS is how it should look. And you know why FaceTime is limited to Wi-Fi? Because only with Wi-Fi it is guaranteed that it really works - that there is a good picture with good audio and with less delay. And this is all that Apple is al about - they build something only when it really, REALLY works.
@Shalabi You don't know that. It may actually not be efficient enough to be usable over 3G. You know, it might have some kind of intermittent bugginess commonly inherent to many of Apple's processes such as was evident with the process used to purchase iPhone 4s that malfunctioned in so many different ways.
@DoctarPeppar and whose fault is that? dont blame Sprint for being on top of their game =]
@justinisyoung
It's not that the Facetime protocol isn't open. It's just than Apple introduced another random voice call protocol that literally NOTHING else uses when there have been voice call protocols that are popular, and works for like a decade or more.
We'll have to see how well Facetime works away from Apple's oversaturated Wi-Fi at WWDC, but I can't imagine it being much better than Skype or Fringe, besides being able to switch from one camera to the other which I'm not sure that other programs can do.
@ITRanger UK got the Streak before the US because O2 managed to get the phone ready faster than AT&T. Not entirely Dell's "fault."
@metalshinobi: Actually, you can cut it with a knife, cause it's sh*t, just like Android. Fring and Qik for the epic fcuking fail, as both are laggy and buggy as sh*t, just like the entire Android platform. FaceTime is WiFi only and iPhone 4 to 4 only because that's the only parameter that will deliver a consistent and robust user experience, not some dog post.
Let's face it, Android only exists for suckers locked into non-AT&T vendors and clowns who think they're too cool for the Apple Store.
@DoctarPeppar
You guys have not dont your homework....Apple has stated in their press that ichat video needs high bandwidth and only works good on high bandwidth. I am pretty sure that facetime is something like ichat video. True Att network is garbage BUT facetime seems to me to be ichat lite but still needs the high bandwidth.