Maxcer reports, “After using it, though, I realize I was wrong.”
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“Now, one thing is certain: Apple’s FaceTime video calling simply rocks,” Maxcer reports. “It’s just plain goodness all wrapped up in a seamless user interface, behind-the-scenes magic — and it has surprisingly clear video and audio quality.”
“Apple has ingeniously integrated FaceTime into the iPhone 4. You can start a regular call, then, once connected, tap a FaceTime button and initiate a FaceTime video call, which drops the cellular service call and transmits the call over WiFi with FaceTime. The transition is surprisingly fast and easy,” Maxcer reports. “Even if you set your iPhone to Airplane Mode so that the cellular radio portion of your phone is inactive, you can still use WiFi, and if you’ve got a WiFi connection, you can FaceTime.”
Maxcer reports, “Here’s the deal: Apple will make mobile video conferencing a reality.”
Full article here.
Absolutely amazing technology… but be careful… it actually works!
Just recently was vacationing in Paris, France, and my wife wanted to check in with her parents in Florida. Our hotel had a nice fast WiFi connection and we had an international calling plan, so she called her mother (who has WiFi in her home) and they immediately connected via FaceTime. The audio and video quality was superb and the lack of latency was amazing.
After chatting face-to-face for a while she decided to show her mother the view from the balcony of hotel room, so she switched to the front-facing the camera and went out on the balcony. At that particular moment the Tour de France was just completing down the Rue de Rivoli, just a couple of blocks from our hotel, and her parents got a real-time view of the sights and sounds… they were thrilled.
Unfortunately, my wife then decided to show her parents what our hotel room looked like and they got an embarrassing shot of me relaxing on the bed in my underwear reading MDN on my iPad… a real conversation stopper.
So as I mentioned above, it’s amazing technology, but use it carefully.
My work pays for my cell phone and picks up the tab for unlimited calling and data. I’ve had phones that handle video calls over 3G for the past 3 years. Used the feature once to verify that it worked, but I haven’t used it since. YMMV.
PS – I use iChat and Skype computer video chats with family on a regular basis. Just not tempted to do it via phone.
Once it become a 3G thing more people will use it!!! I know I will!!!
Becomes that is!!!!!
Obviously people like it.
Using Facetime just for the GREAT audio quality! It’s incredible !!!! I wish my iPad had face time!
Calls on regular cell service over my iPhone 4 using my speaker phone now pail in comparison
still waiting to try facetime on my iPhone 4… i dont know how well it works yet, i dont know anyone with an iPhone 4 yet…
BDD; your regular cell service is now like a bucket!?
saying “it’ll take off when it’s on more networks” is like saying Facebook will take off when more people use the internet. (what’s the stat? something like only 35% of the world can afford computers or the internet?) The plane has flown chums! Iphones number 1, the savviest people use them, and Droids (‘Roids) way behind. The iphone’s selling fast, and with hooks eventually placed into ichat (AIM network) – there you go! Compare this to the competition (sound of crickets). Instead of asking Apple to do more, people should ask why ‘competitors’ aren’t competing – stockholders should make an uproar!