“There is nothing new about video chatting on computers, where people commonly use Skype and other services to keep in touch visually. But the function is just getting started on mobile phones, at least in the U.S.,” Walter S. Mossberg reports for AllThingsD. “The biggest name so far pushing mobile video calling is Apple, which has introduced front-facing cameras and a free video calling service called FaceTime into its latest iPhones and iPod Touch models.”
“But a number of smaller companies are scrambling to provide free video calling between mobile phones, and this week I’ve been testing a new entry that aims to be more versatile, and almost as simple, as FaceTime. It’s called Tango, and comes from a year-old Silicon Valley start-up of the same name. Tango launches on Thursday. To use it, you download a free app from either Apple’s app store or the Android Market,” Mossberg reports. “In my tests, Tango worked as promised, and was simple to use. But the quality of its video calls was uneven, and only a few of my calls matched my best experiences with FaceTime, which, while hardly perfect, was better. “
Mossberg via Fox Business:
Direct link to video here.
Mossberg reports, “Tango isn’t as effortless as FaceTime on the iPhone 4, which is integrated right into the phone’s normal calling functions and contacts list, because it’s built by the phone’s maker… While Tango has potential, it needs some work if it is to be a big player in what I suspect will be a big, new use of smartphones.”
Full article, with Mossberg’s video report, here.
MacDailyNews Take: Third parties should concentrate their efforts elsewhere. FaceTime, via the sheer momentum of millions upon millions of iPhones, iPod touches, and, presumably sooner than later, iPads and Macs, will be the video calling standard. Not random company X’s kludge. FaceTime video and audio is already strong, clear, and drop dead simple to use; it will only get better as it becomes much more widespread. There’s no need for anyone to spin their wheels on reinventing this particular wheel, especially since FaceTime is based on extensive use of open technical standards and Apple intends to make FaceTime an open industry standard.
Competitors keep Apple from getting fat & lazy. Nothing sharpens skills like competition. Musicians say you play like you practice, soldiers fight like they train & the regular season sharpens athletes better than camp. As a shareholder & customer I want people challenging Apple. I just want Apple to win.
Competitors keep Apple from getting fat & lazy. Nothing sharpens skills like competition. Musicians say you play like you practice, soldiers fight like they train & the regular season sharpens athletes better than camp. As a shareholder & customer I want people challenging Apple. I just want Apple to win.
If you want quality you want Apple.
If you want quality you want Apple.
I could not agree more with @MDN Take. I appreciate their enthusiasm, but I’m a bit disappointed by the actual MDN take. Seriously guys… the wheel HAS been “reinvented” numerous times. Can you see driving your SUV’s around on bolted wood and iron cart wheels ???
I could not agree more with @MDN Take. I appreciate their enthusiasm, but I’m a bit disappointed by the actual MDN take. Seriously guys… the wheel HAS been “reinvented” numerous times. Can you see driving your SUV’s around on bolted wood and iron cart wheels ???
Also, forgot to add: while I do appreciate and respect decent competition, in too many fields to mention I do not believe Apple is actually facing any…
Also, forgot to add: while I do appreciate and respect decent competition, in too many fields to mention I do not believe Apple is actually facing any…
Why would they approve an app that works over 3G, and not approve facetime ?
Why would they approve an app that works over 3G, and not approve facetime ?
The reason that facetime doesn’t run on 3G is probably due to AT&T. Third party can do whatever they want, because they are not tied into a contract, like Apple is. As soon as the iPhone moves to other carriers in the US, I’m sure we will see it over 3G.
The reason that facetime doesn’t run on 3G is probably due to AT&T. Third party can do whatever they want, because they are not tied into a contract, like Apple is. As soon as the iPhone moves to other carriers in the US, I’m sure we will see it over 3G.
time will tell, but if you want to share video with family, friends, or any one of the multitudes who are opting for Android based devices, Tango gets you there.
time will tell, but if you want to share video with family, friends, or any one of the multitudes who are opting for Android based devices, Tango gets you there.
Tango is very likely hoping to get noticed (success #1 done), get used (remains to be seen, but why use Tango instead of FaceTime on an iPhone?), release apps for Android and other platforms (usage is an issue), and get bought by some larger company (HP, Microsoft, etc.) who wants its technology.
I doubt Tango has any delusions about competing with FaceTime on the iPhone, unless it can offer some significant features not available on FaceTime (can’t think of what those would be right now).
This is known as “Striking While the Iron is Hot.”
Tango is very likely hoping to get noticed (success #1 done), get used (remains to be seen, but why use Tango instead of FaceTime on an iPhone?), release apps for Android and other platforms (usage is an issue), and get bought by some larger company (HP, Microsoft, etc.) who wants its technology.
I doubt Tango has any delusions about competing with FaceTime on the iPhone, unless it can offer some significant features not available on FaceTime (can’t think of what those would be right now).
This is known as “Striking While the Iron is Hot.”
Wow!! You guys just can’t see past your iPhone. Tango brings a universal video conferencing feature to all phones with the capability to do so. So if my wife isn’t an iPhone user and has one of the new android phones I can video chat with her and anyone else. It has nothing to do with competing with facetime it has to do with integrating all capable mobile phones onto a video commencing platform. Get over your one tracked apple is the best minds.
Wow!! You guys just can’t see past your iPhone. Tango brings a universal video conferencing feature to all phones with the capability to do so. So if my wife isn’t an iPhone user and has one of the new android phones I can video chat with her and anyone else. It has nothing to do with competing with facetime it has to do with integrating all capable mobile phones onto a video commencing platform. Get over your one tracked apple is the best minds.
Tango has little chance against FaceTime. Keep in mind, FaceTime is an OPEN STANDARD, which anyone can license and develop for. I would be surprised if by the end of this year, we don’t already have at least a half a dozen apps for Android that offer videoconferencing using FaceTime protocols. Once that happens, why would anyone bother with Tango anymore?
Not to mention that, since the protocol is open, desktop apps will likely soon appear, both for Windows and Mac OS X (perhaps even Linux?).
FaceTime may have originated on the iPhone, but by the time it’s done, iPhone will be a minor player in its eco-system.
Tango has little chance against FaceTime. Keep in mind, FaceTime is an OPEN STANDARD, which anyone can license and develop for. I would be surprised if by the end of this year, we don’t already have at least a half a dozen apps for Android that offer videoconferencing using FaceTime protocols. Once that happens, why would anyone bother with Tango anymore?
Not to mention that, since the protocol is open, desktop apps will likely soon appear, both for Windows and Mac OS X (perhaps even Linux?).
FaceTime may have originated on the iPhone, but by the time it’s done, iPhone will be a minor player in its eco-system.
Well, perhaps not a minor player, but just one of the many participants.
Well, perhaps not a minor player, but just one of the many participants.
thinkbig,
So your wife means so little to you that you’re going to settle for an inferior video conferencing solution and an inferior mobile phone platform?
That’s pretty sad, mate 🙁
thinkbig,
So your wife means so little to you that you’re going to settle for an inferior video conferencing solution and an inferior mobile phone platform?
That’s pretty sad, mate 🙁
who says Tango cannot adapt to be compatible to apple’s open standard when it comes out?