iPhone 4 FaceTime over a MiFi connection: because we had to try
By Chris Ziegler 
posted June 25th 2010 8:49PM
posted June 25th 2010 8:49PM
Seeing how MiFis and other mobile hotspot devices have quickly become a staple of doing business for us, we had a few lying around and figured we'd give it a shot: connect the phone to the MiFi, connect the MiFi to the 3G network, and give FaceTime a whirl. Our first attempt -- a call between Chris in the US with a Verizon MiFi and Richard in the UK -- failed pretty miserably (unlike our transatlantic Fring call), but a second call entirely within the UK using a 3-branded MiFi from Huawei worked quite well, as did a US-to-US Verizon call between Chris and Ross. In other words, it's definitely possible, but you might not get as flawless of an experience as you'll get with a nice, fat landline data connection backing you up. Follow the break for all three videos.
FaceTime between Chris in the US (connected to a Verizon MiFi) and Richard in the UK.
FaceTime between Richard and Alex Lee, both in the UK, using a 3 MiFi.
FaceTime between US-based Ross and Chris, connected to a Verizon MiFi and discussing the finer points of facial hair.
The one thing I wish my Nexus had is a front facing camera.
Thanks for the business idea engadget. Charge iPhone people to se the WiFi on my EVO to make face time calls Haha
@lsn2Necro
This Apple redundant "service" should be called "Facepalm", not "Facetime"...
Tested.com did this first..
@FNi Good to know.
@FNi
SIMPSONS DID IT!!!
Seriously, could you be any more of a troll?
If you actually wanted to be helpful, you could've said, "Tested.com also did this" and linked to the article...
@FNi
Yo, I did it first.
/sarcasm.
Thanks for the post Chris.
@Chris Ziegler
No disrespect meant to your (as usual) great work, but I thought it would be a nice gesture to send over some Engadget overflow to a struggling new site that did a similar feature (albeit less in-depth) a couple days ago.
@jellotime91 bite me ;)
Seriously?
@RX3115 Yep!
@RX3115
I guess ifan is willing to pay more for what is free. $80/m contract + a hotspot device is just asking too much. Then again, video chat is overrated. I have 400 un-use minutes every months plus unlimited data... Now who want some?
@cdf74dc9
Cuz, you know, its impossible to find wifi hotspots, like, at the airport, in a hotel, at a coffee shop...
@RX3115
Oh come on, it's fair enough test. Whilst video calling may suck balls just now it's becoming an much more likely means of communication due to the increasing prevalence of WiFi. This wasn't the case when video calling came out in the early 2000s.
You could say Apple are planning for the future here although for the moment it's still a gimmick which hardly anyone will use.
What Nikon model is that on the first video?
@UrAwFuL D3S.
@UrAwFuL
I just LOVE the way that camera looks.
Why isn't this just on Tuaw?
@KlassiK TUAW and Engadget are different sites with different editorial staff.
@Chris Ziegler
Could've fooled me.
(I'm sorry. It's just set up so beautifully. lol. I'm jk. Seriously. Please don't ban me.)
@KlassiK There have been too many final straws. This is a biased Apple fan site. Just deal with it and move on.
@Chris Ziegler You should have someone photoshop up a logo for a day that changes the "Engadget" logo to "TUUAW"... it would at least know that you aren't shells for Apple (which as time goes on, the tide seems to be turning that way). Personally I don't care what is posted or if someone has posted about it on another blog first. I come to Engadget because I know the people, the editors and normally get something useful out of reading a story.
@angelusp Haha, Apple should learn how to do video calling from Nokia and HTC!!!
So much for this "magical" feature! Its not magical Steve, its been around for years!
Sit on my face time and tell me that you love me!
Use the EVO 4G or Nexus One Mifi. Now that would be a more fair test.
@Eternity
Why would Evo/Nexus one owner buy one when their phone pretty much does all those thing?
can't wait for JB and then 3g unrestrictor :)
So what you're saying is that if the iPhone4 were on Verizon, we could do video calls over 3G, and Apple wouldn't have had to design a shitty antenna system to counteract ATT's shitty network. Got it
I seriously doubt that Verizon would allow this over 3G with MILLIONS of iPhone 4's without first optimizing the feature. Duh!
@angelusp
This is Engadget saying "No, we can't useFaceTime with our Evo."
Engadget we all know you hate Sprint (even though its network is better than ATT or VZW BY FAR), but why not try it on an Overdrive with 4G. Or do you only have ATT & VZW products in your offices, as every post on this site would suggest.
@Josta I didn't have an Overdrive handy for the test, though we do have a couple EVOs floating around the office. Clearly, a 4G hotspot is going to perform better for this stuff (in a 4G area, of course) than a 3G one.
"...and you're getting into the habit of using it just like you would any other phone."
Or not.
In b4 Apple Haters trolling Engadget....
Oh wait too late....cue another 400 posts from NON iPhone 4 users claiming that the iPhone 4 is the worst phone ever made due to an issue that only affects a minority of iPhone owners and is not nearly as wide spread as the nexus one issue was.
Whatever Apple will still sell its +600,000 iPhones and you guys will still be bitching and moaning with your manufactured outrage at a company you never intended on buying a phone from.
@BrookLynnsFinest
Please, oh please just go away already!
@Dafrety
No thanks. Why don't you and your ilk "go away"? You're the ones who don't like Engadget. You're the ones attacking the editors in every single post accusing them of bias.
Not to mention making a big hoopla over this iPhone 4 thing when its not really a big deal.
God the way you guys act you'd think Apple had committed some crime against humanity. Because of this ONE possible flaw in design or an issue that may have been overlooked by Apple and Steve Jobs subsequent response to the above issue you guys suddenly feel justified in attacking iPhone owners and Apple Supporters/Fanboys. You think that we all should march right back to the Apple Store and DEMAND that Steve Jobs FIX IT IMMEDIATELY...or even better just return the iPhone 4's we just bought and go switch to Verizon or Spint for the evo 4g or the droid x correct?
Well sorry to burst your bubble but this one issue you guys are harping on and on about is far outweighed by the POSITIVE qualities that the iPhone 4 brings to the table. And its not like it can't be fixed easily but getting a nice case to protect it.
Thats all I have to say on the matter. I do think if it was a big issue that Apple should fix it but that is yet to be determined and until its actually some worldwide issue that causes true outrage on the part of iPhone OWNERS (please read that part...not fandroids who do NOT own the iPhone 4) I think people should take a chill pill.
@BrookLynnsFinest
Find me a single post where I'm attacking the editors of Engadget and I'll find hundreds of yours where you're calling people fandroids, Apple haters, idiots, and dipshits.
@BrookLynnsFinest
That's like the 15th time you've used the phrase "manufactured outrage", did you just learn it?
On topic, don't these findings more or less define Apple products?
They work great as long as you only use it like Apple tells you to.
@Dafrety
Actually, find anything you're accusing me of doing in that TLDR post that is apparently an appropriate response to a single sentence post.
@BrookLynnsFinest
Inb4 BrookLynnExchange's constant bitching.
...too late.
@Dafrety
I'm sorry you can't read more than a few sentences Apple Hater.
And I'm not going to go searching thru your post history to prove my point. You and I both know its true that you attack the Engadget writers/editors and accuse them of Apple bias in nearly every article.
If not explicitly you definitely do it subtly and make some sarcastic remark about Engadget and Apple in order to get "upranked" and affirm your popularity status with the other Apple Haters.
What does me calling you an fandroid have to do with this?
@BrookLynnsFinest
Oh man you are so damn delusional it's sad.
@BrookLynnsFinest
If all Apple "Genuine Owners" were like you, Apple would still have Macbook Pros with no SD Card Reader. You are always quick to make excuses for their flaws. I can bet you a million dollars that I own more Apple stuff than you, but I will never, repeat NEVER give Apple a pass for a flaw as serious as losing signal bars on A PHONE!! Please continue to hold them accountable, I beg you. We, the true Apple consumers, are the real winners if they clean their acts up and stop thinking they can just pass any stuff to us and we will slurp it up like fools.
@Dafrety
Care to elaborate Apple Hater? Or am I delusional just simply because I bought the iPhone 4 which you don't like because its made by Apple.
And I'm not feeling this incessant need to troll Engadget each day acting like I own the place and demanding that they acknowledge all android phones as being superior to the iPhone?
Or is just because I don't think this "reception" issue warrants the full blown recall that some of you fandroids were calling for in that epic +700 comment thread?
@BrookLynnsFinest
"Care to elaborate Apple Hater? Or am I delusional just simply because I bought the iPhone 4 which you don't like because its made by Apple."
You're literally delusional due to all of your schizophrenic cries of "Apple Hater!" and constant angry tirades against random commenters. Why aren't you banned yet? You were banned before, and you admitted it.
"And I'm not feeling this incessant need to troll Engadget each day acting like I own the place and demanding that they acknowledge all android phones as being superior to the iPhone?"
Reverse Android and iPhone and you have your typical comment.
"Or is just because I don't think this "reception" issue warrants the full blown recall that some of you fandroids were calling for in that epic +700 comment thread?"
Only a few people wanted that. A more reasonable demand would be for Apple to stop being complete morons and start handing out free bumpers. Otherwise, class action lawsuit, here we come!
@BrookLynnsFinest
"And I'm not going to go searching thru your post history to prove my point. You and I both know its true that you attack the Engadget writers/editors and accuse them of Apple bias in nearly every article."
I've done the trouble of doing that for you and found no comments whatsoever attacking Engadget. Thus you are a big FUCKING MORON.
@n8equalsd
And thus, we prove he is delusional. Thank you for the assistance.
@Mike10010100
No, no no. Don't stop him, he's right. I'm an Apple hater. I'm such a terrible nasty Apple what with my first generation MacBook Pro, intel iMac, iPod Touch 3g, iPod 5g, and iPod 3g.
@Dafrety
God you horrible Apple Hater you!!! GTFO nao! rofl rofl
Me too! I hate Apple! That's why I bought their iPod Touch 64 gig and have tons of music on there! lololol
@Dafrety
I have an ipod. 2, to be exact. I don't hate Apple ALL the time, but I do feel the iPhone 4 launch could've gone a little smoother. Hell, if the iPhone 4 came to Verizon, I'd totally consider it. But right now, I'm not giving up my network. That is my personal stance on Apple products. Now, just because I support Android and want something to do WELL < WELL> doesn't mean I also don't support the competition. Overall, Apple appeals to teens and younger folk with an easy to use and stable OS. Android appeals to those who enjoy a free-er operating system and who actually care about their network. So, Brooklyn's Finest, please just shut the fuck up and be more mature when you comment. Plus, you really do act/are insanse- grow up.
@Special Agent Steve
I'm pretty much the same. If I hadn't already picked up a Nexus One I would have jumped on a T-Mobile iPhone 4. Of course, not until they iron out the issues, but this will all happen in time. Maybe in 2012 before the world ends I'll get an iPhone 6 when AT&T's exclusivity contract is up. ;P