Face Time?

Rico · December 15, 2010, 05:36:33 AM

I have been trying to think of an easy solution for Lynn and I to video chat. She doesn't seem to want to do the webcam thing with Skype. I wanted to know a few things about those that have used Face Time a few times. Specific questions below:

- How is Face Time for quality overall (video clarity, audio, drops)?
- What hardware are you using? I think the new iPod Touch can do it, but I think the camera is lower res. than the iPhone camera.
- Anyone try this with two iPod touch devices via wireless?
- Anyone compared Face Time to Skype video chat on the same device? Quality of call, calls dropped, etc.?

Anyway, just trying to get a feel for how well it's working. I still think two wired in PC's with webcams will work a lot better, but I think she wants something more portable. Thanks for the input!

Bryancd · December 15, 2010, 05:42:46 AM

I haven't used it but my brother does with some of his friends and our family back in CT. He says it works great on his iPhone. I'll play around with it when we are back east next week and let you know how it looks.

billybob476 · December 15, 2010, 06:30:36 AM

Do you think maybe not liking skype has to do with the setup? I bought my parents a Linksys Skype phone and they have started using it for all their long distance.

I also have a skype phone, it has a USB base that plugs into a computer. I have an old computer plugged into the tv via VGA (doesn't need to be a great machine) with a webcam sitting underneath in the tv stand. That way if you want to use the camera, you just switch the tv input to the computer and you talk on the skype phone. If you want to wander around and talk you can do that with the phone as well.

I never really liked the fact I needed to be at the computer either.

With Facetime you'll have to prop the iPod/Iphone up somehow so the camera is looking at you.

Rico · December 15, 2010, 06:36:02 AM

That's an interesting idea. Joe, do they make a portable Skype phone with a cam built-in?

billybob476 · December 15, 2010, 06:39:47 AM

Not sure about the cam built in, I just have a standard webcam attached to the "tv computer" and have it displaying on the tv.

Rico · December 15, 2010, 06:46:28 AM

Well, did a quick Google search and found this video Skype phone by Asus. Seem to be a few choices out there. But it's still not real portable. Seems a bit costly too ($170.).

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=6768720&CatId=5120

billybob476 · December 15, 2010, 06:47:01 AM

I have a linksys CIT-200 (iPhone) but I don't think they are available any more. If you remember when the iPhone originally came out Linksys held the trademark on the iPhone name. That was because of this device.

http://www.amazon.com/Cisco-Linksys-CIT200-Cordless-Internet-Telephony/dp/B000BD88RS

billybob476 · December 15, 2010, 06:47:32 AM

I can take a picture of my setup tonight.

KingIsaacLinksr · December 15, 2010, 09:32:02 AM

FaceTime is reliable on my end. The quality is good as long as your internet isn't horrible. If your internet can do skype video calls, it can easily do FaceTime.

Yes, two iPod touches can FaceTime. (4th Gen only obviously)
Camera quality is the same on the front, its the back one that has lower quality than the iPhone 4's back camera since the iPod touch is for movie taking. Whereas the iPhone has a better camera for picture taking.
Skype Video Chat does not exist on iOS. I do not know why, but Skype has been quiet on the subject. Yahoo!Messenger has video-chat so its not an iOS restriction.

Overall, its been very nice the times I've gotten to use FaceTime. So if Lynn wants something more portable, this is certainly a good solution :).

King

Rico · December 15, 2010, 09:41:53 AM

Can you use Facetime directly on something like a MacBook or iMac too?

X · December 15, 2010, 09:47:05 AM

Quote from: Kingisaaclinksr on December 15, 2010, 09:32:02 AM
I do not know why, but Skype has been quiet on the subject. Yahoo!Messenger has video-chat so its not an iOS restriction.

Probably because Apple won't allow it. If you have skype, you can skype with anyone. Facetime needs two apple devices. If you limit the competition, then you can drive sales because people will want to use the feature. If they had a Skype app, people won't have to all have an Apple device.

KingIsaacLinksr · December 15, 2010, 10:02:42 AM

Quote from: X on December 15, 2010, 09:47:05 AM
Quote from: Kingisaaclinksr on December 15, 2010, 09:32:02 AM
I do not know why, but Skype has been quiet on the subject. Yahoo!Messenger has video-chat so its not an iOS restriction.
Probably because Apple won't allow it. If you have skype, you can skype with anyone. Facetime needs two apple devices. If you limit the competition, then you can drive sales because people will want to use the feature. If they had a Skype app, people won't have to all have an Apple device.

I meant that Yahoo!Messenger App on the iOS store has video chat. Thus why I said its not an iOS restriction. I just checked, they have Video chat so its uncertain why Skype doesn't, though Skype isn't known for fast updates...

@Rico, yes you can use FaceTime on the Mac OS now. I think Apple still has it in BETA still, but it works from what I've heard.

King

Rico · December 15, 2010, 10:07:50 AM

Weird about Skype. I thought you could use that too. Especially since you could use Yahoo Messenger. Any idea on Google Chat? I think it can do video chat too. If I went this route, I'd prefer not to have to buy two new devices.

KingIsaacLinksr · December 15, 2010, 10:26:25 AM

Google voice and text chat works, but I'm unaware of any Google video chat integration on iOS yet.

King

X · December 15, 2010, 11:53:44 AM

Here's what I found:

QuoteSkype video chat on iPhone 4?
With Apple announcing FaceTime video chat on the new iPhone 4 phone, which sports 2 cameras (front and rear), the obvious question is will Skype offer video chat on the next gen iPhone?

To 'somewhat' learn the answer check this out:
Skype bringing video chat to iPhone 4

Update: I was contacted by a Skype spokesperson with the following clarification:
There seems to have been some confusion about a previous statement we shared with Pocket-Lint as to Skype's stance in regards to FaceTime.

Skype is the market leader and champion of video calling for consumers and it's clear to us that mobile video will become increasingly important to our customers in the coming year. We are glad to see that Apple recognizes the value and potential of mobile video.

However, just to be clear, we are not considering FaceTime as a technological platform for video calling in our own products. Based on Apple's statement about FaceTime being an open platform, we are looking forward to see how this process unfolds. We look forward to working with Apple to bring the best possible mobile video calling experience not only to the millions of Skype users on the iPhone around the world, but also to the countless more making video calls on desktops, TVs and other connected devices.

It seems like there is some restrictions to iPhone that they don't like. Does the y! video work with non-iPhone devices?