Face time on the iPhone 4

[Josh Bear]

dear all

Just wanted to let anyone who would welcome the chance to stay in touch with family that face time on the iphone 4 really works well. For those who don't know the new iPhone allows video calling from iPhone to iPhone, apple call it face time.

I am in Madrid on business at the moment and tonight have been able to talk to and see my wife and children back in the UK using face time. It really makes a difference compared to just talking to them. The quality was excellent and there was no noticeable sound or video lag.

So if you travel a lot I would say that face time makes it that little bit easier.

Best regards

Josh

[Ian]

Re: Face time on the iPhone 4

dear all

Just wanted to let anyone who would welcome the chance to stay in touch with family that face time on the iphone 4 really works well. For those who don't know the new iPhone allows video calling from iPhone to iPhone, apple call it face time.

I am in Madrid on business at the moment and tonight have been able to talk to and see my wife and children back in the UK using face time. It really makes a difference compared to just talking to them. The quality was excellent and there was no noticeable sound or video lag.

So if you travel a lot I would say that face time makes it that little bit easier.

Best regards

Josh

Hi Josh,

When I was in Split (Croatia) last month I was very impressed at how the hotel's internet system worked. I was able to have a great webcam session with my family back home.

The secondary video camera built into smartphones for video calling has been almost redundant since its introduction because of punitive mobile data charges. Indeed, although my old smartphone had a secondary camera, my new HTC Desire does not and this has been the trend.

The iPhone 4 now has one, while the older iPhones didn't. Although I'm not an iPhone fan, I will concede that it's a shame that some new rivals to the iPhone don't incorporate the video call camera. I'm sure it will be making a comeback with those manufacturers, now that there are alternatives to mobile data that perform well.

How are you getting on with the iPhone 4 otherwise? We've all heard about the infamous 'how to hold your iPhone 4 for best signal' issue, and I've heard that the camera's auto white balance is a bit flaky?

Ian

[Josh Bear]

Re: Face time on the iPhone 4

Hi Ian

Love the ihone. No signal issues for me but no doubt that some are having them. It's faster than the last version and the new screen is very sharp. Re white balance again not seen an issue so far.

iPhone is not for everyone but suits me to have videos and music collection with me as I travel and like I said now I can see my children everyday whilst away is very special.

Best regards

Josh

[Ian]

Re: Face time on the iPhone 4

Out of interest, I understand that the iPhone 4 secondary video camera only works when communicating with another iPhone 4 - is that right? If so, this is a typical example of the irritating restrictions that Apple imposes on its users. And I guess you still can't replace the battery yourself, nor use a removable memory card, etc.

Ian

[Stephen]

Re: Face time on the iPhone 4

OK so a MacBook Pro is a tad bigger than an iPhone, and it doesn't have 3G but the built in webcam and mic. make using Skype for face to face chats a no brainer for me when there is WiFi available

[Ian]

Re: Face time on the iPhone 4

OK so a MacBook Pro is a tad bigger than an iPhone, and it doesn't have 3G but the built in webcam and mic. make using Skype for face to face chats a no brainer for me when there is WiFi available

So why should Apple make the video calling function only compatible with other iPhone 4Gs? It's crazy.

Ian

[Stephen]

Re: Face time on the iPhone 4

So why should Apple make the video calling function only compatible with other iPhone 4Gs? It's crazy.

Ian

Its a fair point, and one I don't know the answer to, though I suspect it's much the same as the Battery/Ink Cart issue we all hate.

[Ian]

Re: Face time on the iPhone 4

Stephen, I'm reading that you can only use the camera with Apple's software, so it looks like you can't use the iPhone 4G for Skype, MSN Messenger, etc. Apple has a stranglehold on its app market and there are suggestions it won't allow a Skype for iPhone 4G to be included. I didn't realise that FaceTime doesn't work with mobile data either, so you need a Wifi connection (as well as another iPhone 4G at the other end it seems).

Ian

[Patrick]

Re: Face time on the iPhone 4

Stephen, I'm reading that you can only use the camera with Apple's software, so it looks like you can't use the iPhone 4G for Skype, MSN Messenger, etc. Apple has a stranglehold on its app market and there are suggestions it won't allow a Skype for iPhone 4G to be included. I didn't realise that FaceTime doesn't work with mobile data either, so you need a Wifi connection (as well as another iPhone 4G at the other end it seems).

Ian

If all this is true why are people queuing up to buy it, if the buying public are willing to pay their hard earned cash to be treated in this fashion what can you expect?
I know I have gone down the Apple route with my computers and there are some parallels, but they are not the dominant player in this area, but with Smart-phones Apple are the top dog.
Microsoft got slapped wrists for this type of behavior with their software, perhaps the authorities should be looking at Apple now with their smart-phones.

Patrick

[Ian]

Re: Face time on the iPhone 4

If all this is true why are people queuing up to buy it, if the buying public are willing to pay their hard earned cash to be treated in this fashion what can you expect?
I know I have gone down the Apple route with my computers and there are some parallels, but they are not the dominant player in this area, but with Smart-phones Apple are the top dog.
Microsoft got slapped wrists for this type of behavior with their software, perhaps the authorities should be looking at Apple now with their smart-phones.

Patrick

Actually Nokia is by far the market leader by unit sales of smartphones as they sell many more affordable models. Apple sells at the premium end of the market. HTC has out-sold Apple in recent months with models like the Hero (your phone) and the Desier (mine), but the Apple brand is extremely strong and everyone wants to be the first with the new model. Most of the reviews of the iPhone 4G I have read so far rate the Desire as better, and with a forthcoming Android OS upgrade in the wings, there will be a substantial improvement in performance and features to the Desire and I think also the Hero (Android 2.2).

To be honest, for many the restrictions on video calling are not a deal breaker, but I just have to ask myself why Apple has forced this restriction in the first place.

Ian

[Patrick]

Re: Face time on the iPhone 4

Actually Nokia is by far the market leader by unit sales of smartphones as they sell many more affordable models. Apple sells at the premium end of the market. HTC has out-sold Apple in recent months with models like the Hero (your phone) and the Desier (mine), but the Apple brand is extremely strong and everyone wants to be the first with the new model. Most of the reviews of the iPhone 4G I have read so far rate the Desire as better, and with a forthcoming Android OS upgrade in the wings, there will be a substantial improvement in performance and features to the Desire and I think also the Hero (Android 2.2).

To be honest, for many the restrictions on video calling are not a deal breaker, but I just have to ask myself why Apple has forced this restriction in the first place.

Ian

I take your word that Nokia are top dog, I always thought they were for regular mobile phones.
Anyway 1.7 million sales for the new iPhone in 3 days sounds a lot to me

Patrick

[Ian]

Re: Face time on the iPhone 4

I take your word that Nokia are top dog, I always thought they were for regular mobile phones.
Anyway 1.7 million sales for the new iPhone in 3 days sounds a lot to me

Patrick

Q.1 2010 figures can be found here:

[ame]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smartphone[/ame]

In the pie chart Symbian largely means Nokia (Nokia owns the Symbian OS - a direct descendant of the Psion Organsider OS, if you can remember that far back!). Sony also sells some Symbian-based phones.

Retailers were hinting that in Q.2 Android phones out-sold iPhones for the first time as a batch of new models came out and anticipation of the iPhone 4 suppressed sales of the old iPhone 3.

Ian

[Patrick]

Re: Face time on the iPhone 4

Q.1 2010 figures can be found here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smartphone

In the pie chart Symbian largely means Nokia (Nokia owns the Symbian OS - a direct descendant of the Psion Organsider OS, if you can remember that far back!). Sony also sells some Symbian-based phones.

Retailers were hinting that in Q.2 Android phones out-sold iPhones for the first time as a batch of new models came out and anticipation of the iPhone 4 suppressed sales of the old iPhone 3.

Ian

I had a Psion many years ago, it worked well & quick to use, very dull by today's standards with it mono screen.

Patrick

[Ian]

Re: Face time on the iPhone 4

I had a Psion many years ago, it worked well & quick to use, very dull by today's standards with it mono screen.

Patrick

I still have an original Psion Organiser from about 1985

Ian

[Josh Bear]

Re: Face time on the iPhone 4

Blimey. I go away for a couple of days and this thread explodes into life. So Ian I guess the answer is business and money and profit. As Patrick said any of the restrictions haven't stopped people queing for hours to get hold of one.

As I said. It's not for everyone but I travel a lot. And to have my phone. iPod. access to the Internet. A now decent camera and some very decent games to pass the hours on a plane is worth it. The added video calling is just a huge cherry on top

Best regards

Josh