We'd actually already
hacked up a 3G FaceTime video call using an iPhone 4 and a MiFi, but now that Apple's latest handset has been jailbroken, you can toss the extra hardware -- you just need a little Cydia app called My3G, which lets you run WiFi apps over 3G. FaceTime video quality appears to be unaffected, but from what we've seen the framerates suffer depending on your connection -- pretty much what you'd expect to get when running a video stream optimized for high-bandwidth connections on a smaller pipe. Still, it's instantly the best reason to jailbreak your phone -- check a video after the break.
P.S.- If you're averse to jailbreaking, remember that Fring lets you make video calls over 3G without any shenanigans -- and unlike FaceTime, you can also video call non-iPhone users. Just sayin'!
posted August 2nd 2010 1:05PM
Are there pop-up ads on engadget now? Just got one. Lame!
@acegilbert
spyware
Nilay, are you seriously using one of those bumpers for a "nonexistent problem blown out of proportion that nobody experiences"? Really? For real?!
@acegilbert
Are their ads on the internet? I haven't noticed with my ad blocker.
@loocas
That's not Nilay in that video, lulz..
Also, this is my first time viewing video chat via a phone and it looks AWFUL!
I don't know why someone would want to do this with a phone when Skype's available.
And the quality... well, there's definitely some false advertising in that FaceTime commercial!
Another "first" for apple. 8^\
@Wiizer
I'm guessing you haven't tried it on wifi. You know, like how Apple set it up? Here's your first hint - there's a lot more bandwidth available on wifi. It's not choppy or blocky on wifi.
There is a definite price to pay for squeezing video chat through 3G bandwidth.
@acegilbert Instantly the only thing useful in jailbreak, only thing ever Useful in jailbreak
@loocas Nilay's "Hands of Death" kill phone signal whether there is a bumper or not.
@acegilbert
Why the hell won't modmyi's repo respond?!?!?!
@reallynotnick Ever since they put the internet on computers, it's been a thing; I suppose. (Homer Simpson paraphrase) ; )
@Jack
"I'm guessing you haven't tried it on wifi."
What gave it away? The words in my response?
If Apple can only make FaceTime work while tethered to wi-fi, they blew it.
All the more reason for the iPhone to be sporting a higher MP camera than the one it already has...
@acegilbert
Am I the only one that associates the phrase 'Facetime' with going down on a girl? I know that no one at Apple knows about these kinds of things, they only go down on guys.
@acegilbert
back to dial up era
@jaleman You are unwise to anger the Great Nilay Patel. And if you ever call me a Darkside Fanboy. I will Force choke you until your intelligence levels dip below Gungan standards
@loocas
Just saw this on Android Central:
http://www.androidcentral.com/apple-gives-trying-make-other-phones-look-bad-pulls-testing-page
LOL. Will Engadget post this as "breaking" news.
@loocas If you look closely in the photo, listen closely at the beginning of the video and check their "Source" link, you'll find that the story originated at 9to5mac.com, which is who took the photo and video you are looking at.
@Wiizer This is over 3g, as it says in the headline. Wifi quality is better.
@Wiizer
Your statement makes no sense. It was just explained to you that the quality is great over wi-fi and not-so-great over 3g and you blame the camera? Please explain your logic! And, btw, the quality shown here is the same as every other video call on other phones over 3g...
@acegilbert
Emm...yeah
@acegilbert
"Here’s a pledge: as long as I’m in charge of Engadget you will NEVER see keyword popover ads on the site. And believe me, they’ve asked." -ryan block
i guess times have changed :(
@Jack
but will I ever be able to video-call my friends who don't have an iPhone 4, and I don't wanna use skype to do that. Just a regular video-call that "Apple" didn't invent!!. This has forced me to carry a secondary phone which I don't like at all. Thanks mr. Jobs! :(
@Jack
At least... on AT&T.
@reallynotnick
Same, I haven't seen an ad for a long time on any website, even on videos. lol
Wow! The hand of censorship and downranking went by pretty damn fast on this one... o_O
@loocas
I'm sure that it does enable this with FaceTime.
However my FaceTime is still broke!
Ive tried both the online mentioned fixes, so I guess that i will restore tonight and hope that works.
@loocas
They don't like people pointing out their Apple fanboyism.
OMG I cant wait for AT&T to flip out about this, don't think they are ready for that amount of data over their 3G
Lord Vader you are much wise.
@Malkmus
What do you mean explain?
It's pretty obvious that a 5 MP camera tied to wi-fi is not a very good option. If I'm at home, I have a webcam that's better at its job than FaceTime.
I guess this is only meant for douchey kids that hang out at Starbucks...
I don't think they'll flip out too much, as soon as people start hitting their 2gig caps, it's money in the bank baby....money in the bank.
@Wiizer
You're kind of an idiot, aren't you? What sort of effect do you think using a higher megapixel camera would have on data transmission? You are aware that, say, 8MP is MORE data than 5MP, right?
You are basically arguing that you think it should be pushing MORE data over a 3G network when it is painfully, completely obvious that the 3G network can't handle data from a 5MP camera, at least at a reasonable framerate or quality level.
And you think more megapixels is the answer. More data to push over a 3G network that is already very obviously unable to cope with the amount of data being pushed by the iPhone. Wow.
Yes, there is a reason AT&T did not want Facetime running over their network. Their network is unable to handle it. Obviously. What you need to do next is try an iPhone 4 and Facetime over wifi. Then you will understand that the problem is the bandwidth, NOT the camera. Assuming you're not a complete dumbass, and that's kind of a large assumption at the moment.
@acegilbert
Firefox + Adblock Plus FTW!!!!!
@Jack programs can compress the image taking those 5 mp and downscaling the quality. ever heard of that before?
thus doing this releives the data stress,
@huskie fluff
Yeah it's called "looking like crap with a shitty framerate". And guess what facetime looks like on a jailbroken iPhone over 3G?
You're not real good at putting pieces together, are you? Let me know if you need any more help with this.
@acegilbert
man just wish my contract is up so I can get my hands on a iPhone 4
@Lord Vader
My Lord, despite their primitive ways and speech patterns, the Gungans are quite sophisticated and intelligent.
However, traditionally they give birth underwater, outside their air bubbles. The one known as JarJar just took... a very long time to be born.
@Wiizer Obviously you know nothing about camera tech. 5 megapixel camera images have a resolution anywhere from 2240x2240 to 2736x1824. And whats the highest resolution on a cell phone? The front camera is less capable, but can still capture more pixels than phones can display, It's all about quality. Not to mention, the higher the resolution, the more bandwidth you need, and the less it will work on 3g.
No phone can display 5 megapixels with a 1:1 pixel ration.
@Jack
No, no, no.... NO NO NO!!!
That is NOT what I've said.
In fact, I've said the EXACT opposite. I think the camera should be higher MP because it shouldn't be used AS A CAMCORDER!
Just use the damn thing for pictures since phones can't hack it as webcams. That's what I've said... idiot.
@Plazmic Flame hey guys, is there any fix for the Apple iOS4 Security Breach yet?
I just heard about it this morning, and I don't know if i should upgrade my Iphone 3GS to iOS4 or not
http://gizmodo.com/5603319/new-apple-security-breach-gives-complete-access-to-your-iphone#comments
Cool
Jailbreaking FTW! If you're on the edge, just jump off and go for it, you won't regret it!
This is how Facetime should always have worked instead of pretending it's a communications revolution in the cutesy ads when it really only works at home.
@arkweld
...or anywhere there's wifi. I'm sure that's what you meant. You also left out two important things:
1. Video chat over 3G sucks. Look at it. It's choppy as hell.
2. Apple's agreement with AT&T prevents them from allowing video chat over 3G, it's that simple. That is specifically why Jobs said they were working with carriers to get it enabled.
@Jack
I guess thats why Fring was removed from the appstore. Oh wait...
@Jack hey Jack, can you please make me feel better about the proximity sensor issue too.. the stupid dude at apple store gave me a stupid advise of how to hold the phone... angled away from my cheek, that's in addition to not holding my phone in left hand.
@Jack
no I meant at home.
The people who see those ads and start crying and think it's an amazing breakthrough because gramps can see a newborn are the people who would only use wi-fi at home. The same people who would miss the small print and assume they can do it anywhere.
For tech-savvy users it's nothing new and those people have been doing the exact same thing on a laptop for years.
@Jack
That's why we do it over 4g......
@arkweld
Actually, you said this: "it really only works at home." And you're wrong. It "really only works" anywhere there's wifi.
Fring was allowed on the app store because it uses very low bandwidth. Ever wonder why video chat in fring looks so completely terrible? AT&T has to approve any apps that use bandwidth like that, so obviously the bandwidth it uses is inconsequential to AT&T, hence the terrible quality.
As far as the proximity sensor, almost nobody is having proximity sensor issues. If you are, then you need to take the iPhone back to the Apple store.
Or, you know, cry about it here. Because that will fix everything.
I'd just like to say that my phone, the N900, could do video calling before the iPhone 4.