“Warnings contained in the latest version of iOS suggest that Apple plans to bring support for 3G wireless data connections to its FaceTime video chat feature,” AppleInsider reports. “When a FaceTime call is active over Wi-Fi on an iPhone running iOS 5.1.1, and a user turns off the ‘Enable 3G’ option in the Settings application, the operating system presents users with a warning message: ‘Disabling 3G may end FaceTime. Are you sure you want to disable 3G?'”
AppleInsider reports, “Despite the warning, FaceTime video calls will continue over Wi-Fi uninterrupted, even after 3G has been turned off or on, which has suggested to some that Apple is planning to bring 3G support to FaceTime… If Apple does enable FaceTime over 3G, it’s possible that some carriers could opt to block or restrict the functionality on their own networks. ”
Read more in the full article here.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Fred Mertz” for the heads up.]
At last…!
I don’t think it was apple not letting it work over 3G, but at the time AT&T would not allow it. So apple had to limit it to wifi only.
Many jailbreak options turn 3G on for FaceTime, so it has been possible for awhile. And no.. Performance of FaceTime over 3G is not the problem. It looks the same 3G/wifi.
I’ve used Skype video chat over 3G so there’s no technical reason why FaceTime wouldn’t work.
Bring it on!!
=:~)
About time! Apple should’ve enabled 3G Facetime long ago, and let the carriers decide whether to allow or not. First, not every country’s carriers are as crappy as AT&T and Verizon. Second, Apple could rightly point at at the carriers and say “they’re blocking it” so user pressure would’ve been on the *carriers* to get their act together.
Plus one!
I live in Mexico with Telcel, unlimited data, 900 minutes cell, $900 peso per month, about 70 bucks USD. They allow hotspot as well. No 3G FaceTime, and we are told that is Apple not them.
If Apple oaks, will no longer need to jailbreak.
And the iPhone was free with 2 year contract!
Wonderful.
FaceTime over WIFI and Celluar. Finally.
I think Apple was not happy with the quality of FaceTime over 3G. iPhone 4S may allow this today.
Or maybe it’s already piggybacking off cellular if the wifi signal drops or is week.
or weak..
I think the phone company’s would love to turn it on, so it’ll eat into you data plan & make you go over. There just holding back, so it doesn’t crash the network.
Makes sense, but they will all disable it, like tethering. A Pay-extra service.
FaceTime works on 3G right now.
All you need to do is install 3G unrestrictor and turn it on for FaceTime.
Or didn’t you silly people jailbreak?