Apple are trying to develop a new standard to stop networks charging rip off prices for substandard video quality for video calls so the basic answer is no ATM, it may change though just as it did with MMS a few years back.
The good thing is Apple does try and use it's weight to change a few things in the market. Being able to do video calls over wifi and hopefully cell data in the future will be much better for everyone than hanging onto old standards of years ago.
When Apple didn't give mms on the iPhone originally it was a pain but when it came to it sending pictures via email was better (unless you wanted to send to someone without a email enabled smart phone) and was free. It educated the market a bit in using other ways, sending more pictures (because if was free) and helped force networks in being fairer in their charging for mms. Hopefully the same will happen for video calls
NonprayingMantis: didn't you know, the iphone4 invented video calling. Before the iphone4, video calling didn't exist.
If anyone tells you otherwise they are just jealous of Steve Jobs and all his awesomeness.
:P
I don't think there is a claim that Apple invented video calling, but they are trying to make it a better experience. If I'm going to make a video call I prefer the recipient to be able to see a reasonable quality video not just a mush of colours and trying to make something out. There have been BIG advancements in compression technology since video calling first started all those years ago but because of compatability this would not be able to be used for standard video calls
NonprayingMantis: didn't you know, the iphone4 invented video calling. Before the iphone4, video calling didn't exist.
If anyone tells you otherwise they are just jealous of Steve Jobs and all his awesomeness.
:P
I don't think there is a claim that Apple invented video calling, but they are trying to make it a better experience. If I'm going to make a video call I prefer the recipient to be able to see a reasonable quality video not just a mush of colours and trying to make something out. There have been BIG advancements in compression technology since video calling first started all those years ago but because of compatability this would not be able to be used for standard video calls
"People have been dreaming about video calling for decades. iPhone 4 makes it a reality. With the tap of a button, you can wave hello to your kids, share a smile from across the globe, or watch your best friend laugh at your stories — iPhone 4 to iPhone 4 over Wi-Fi. No other phone makes staying in touch this much fun."
certianly sounds like they are claiming to have invented video calling to me, implying that before the iphone4 people could only dream about it.
By making you stand next to a wifi access point when you want to use it?
By limiting it to a proprietary format, so that you can only call other iPhone 4's??
By tying the rest of the world into an agreement signed in the USA with one carrier, and trying to limit IP voice/video calling to wifi???
Seriously peeps - Apple are doing nothing to make it better. Even Yahoo have killed them on this one... I love the phone, but it'd be a whole lot better without the Apple chastity belt attached to it...
"People have been dreaming about video calling for decades. iPhone 4 makes it a reality. With the tap of a button, you can wave hello to your kids, share a smile from across the globe, or watch your best friend laugh at your stories ? iPhone 4 to iPhone 4 over Wi-Fi. No other phone makes staying in touch this much fun."
certianly sounds like they are claiming to have invented video calling to me, implying that before the iphone4 people could only dream about it.
I guess it's how you want to read it as I don't see it saying that the invented it.
It's true, people have been dreaming about video calling for decades, and there have been lots of systems that can do it, some successful, some not. What I believe they're saying there is that on the iPhone 4 it is a reality because you can see the other party, much the same as you can on a computer. In my experience video up to now call quality has been far below par using a mobile phone to the point it really wasn't worth bothering with, maybe with trying to change things a bit it may actually be useable to the point that the video calling people have been dreaming about for decades can become a reality.
I think it's a fair claim, when Jobs announced it, he said they were bringing Video Call's to reality. In fact, as far as the United States were concerned this was a new feature.
I agree with the comment on the Apple chastity belt, the hardware is pretty nice, its the OS and all its restrictions that turned me to Android.
RustyGonad: How are Apple trying to make it better???
By making you stand next to a wifi access point when you want to use it?
By limiting it to a proprietary format, so that you can only call other iPhone 4's??
By tying the rest of the world into an agreement signed in the USA with one carrier, and trying to limit IP voice/video calling to wifi???
Seriously peeps - Apple are doing nothing to make it better. Even Yahoo have killed them on this one... I love the phone, but it'd be a whole lot better without the Apple chastity belt attached to it...
The wifi restriction is not Apples doing, thats the networks, they would prefer you to pay through the nose to use video calling rather than use the data you are already paying for and use a different system. Believe me I find it frustrating that it is wifi only too but let's hope that Apples stance on this means the networks will start to play ball in the future instead of just leaving it as it is.
Afaik FaceTime is an open standard, I know it's only on the iPhone 4 as of now but think of were it can go, not just making video calls from cell to cell but also between cell and computers too, maybe even other devices will come onto the market.
We're all geeks here, I'd have thought you could see this is a positive step going forwards, unleashing from the restrictions of old network technology, but maybe it's just me looking into the future rather than sticking with the past!?
I would see any company trying to make a change as a good thing but as Apple have done it it inevitably gets the usual responses.
RustyGonad: How are Apple trying to make it better???
By making you stand next to a wifi access point when you want to use it?
By limiting it to a proprietary format, so that you can only call other iPhone 4's??
By tying the rest of the world into an agreement signed in the USA with one carrier, and trying to limit IP voice/video calling to wifi???
Seriously peeps - Apple are doing nothing to make it better. Even Yahoo have killed them on this one... I love the phone, but it'd be a whole lot better without the Apple chastity belt attached to it...
The wifi restriction is not Apples doing, thats the networks, they would prefer you to pay through the nose to use video calling rather than use the data you are already paring for and use a different system. Believe me I find it frustrating that it is wifi only too but let's hope that Apples stance on this means the networks will start to play ball in the future instead of just leaving it as it is.
Afaik FaceTime is an open standard, I know it's only on the iPhone 4 as of now but think of were it can go, not just making video calls from cell to cell but also between cell and computers too, maybe even other devices will come onto the market.
We're all geeks here, I'd have thought you could see this is a positive step going forwards, unleashing from the restrictions of old network technology, but maybe it's just me looking into the future rather than sticking with the past!?
I would see any company trying to make a change as a good thing but as Apple have done it it inevitably gets the usual responses.
Its not the networks doing its Apples - otherwise Yahoo wouldn't be able to do it with Messenger - try it out sometime - it works alot better than facetime. Look in the app store, you won't find it under Apple.
Its also kinda open standard - you can talk PC to iPhone over 3G - kinda what Facetime could be if Jobs didn't have his head so far up his own... lets say shoe for now...
I buy Apple's products when I think they're good. I also call a spade a spade when its bad.
Facetime is proprietary crap.
Video calling is years old, Skype have been doing it for ages, and I remember using it on my Nokia N81about 4 years ago. Its not Apples doing, and addding a VGA camera to the front of the iPhone and using proprietary software doesn't change the world...
Its not the networks doing its Apples - otherwise Yahoo wouldn't be able to do it with Messenger - try it out sometime - it works alot better than facetime. Look in the app store, you won't find it under Apple.
Its also kinda open standard - you can talk PC to iPhone over 3G - kinda what Facetime could be if Jobs didn't have his head so far up his own... lets say shoe for now...
I buy Apple's products when I think they're good. I also call a spade a spade when its bad.
Facetime is proprietary crap.
Video calling is years old, Skype have been doing it for ages, and I remember using it on my Nokia N81about 4 years ago. Its not Apples doing, and addding a VGA camera to the front of the iPhone and using proprietary software doesn't change the world...
Of course it's not Apples decision to not allow FaceTime over 3G, wtf would they do that!
There are a few video apps in the App Store and have been since before the iPhone 4, but I thought your complaint was that the iPhone4/FaceTime wasn't able to make standard 3G video calls to any mobile?
You could complain a lot more if Apple didn't allow these other video apps into the app store but they do so there is the choice, Apple has the right to promote their own version if they believe it a viable option and the fact that Yahoo messenger video chat is available on the iPhone is a good thing and means Apple isn't trying to stop competition, but you seem pissed that there is a choice!
I agree, video calling is years old, and I first used it on a mobile a lot longer than 4 years ago (i think around 7 years ago as I'm from the UK), but the quality just wasn't that great, and the worst bit is because it's a network standard it hasn't changed since. You're concerned about the front facing camera on the iPhone 4 only being VGA but the standard video calling doesn't use anywhere near that resolution anyway.
Ultimately no one is forcing you to buy an iPhone 4 or any other particular phone, there is choice out there and we are all welcome to take it. If you choose not to have the phone why gripe about its features?
Of course it's not Apples decision to not allow FaceTime over 3G, wtf would they do that!
There are a few video apps in the App Store and have been since before the iPhone 4, but I thought your complaint was that the iPhone4/FaceTime wasn't able to make standard 3G video calls to any mobile?
You could complain a lot more if Apple didn't allow these other video apps into the app store but they do so there is the choice, Apple has the right to promote their own version if they believe it a viable option and the fact that Yahoo messenger video chat is available on the iPhone is a good thing and means Apple isn't trying to stop competition, but you seem pissed that there is a choice!
I agree, video calling is years old, and I first used it on a mobile a lot longer than 4 years ago (i think around 7 years ago as I'm from the UK), but the quality just wasn't that great, and the worst bit is because it's a network standard it hasn't changed since. You're concerned about the front facing camera on the iPhone 4 only being VGA but the standard video calling doesn't use anywhere near that resolution anyway.
Ultimately no one is forcing you to buy an iPhone 4 or any other particular phone, there is choice out there and we are all welcome to take it. If you choose not to have the phone why gripe about its features?
So let me get this straight...
Vodafone NZ allow video calling on an iPhone 4 via 3G through messenger, but block Facetime Video calling over 3G because Apple have nothing to do with it... Surely you jest... Well here's hoping anyway...
BTW - I'm not pissed about the choice - just pointing it out... or complainging about the VGA camera, just stating the fact that Apple didn't invent it nor is it world changing... I guess a fanboy may see some sort of complaining it there, but I don't... I just see it for what it is... something that every other smartphone out there has as well...
I'm also not sure what your on about "If you choose not to have the phone why gripe about its features?" - I got one, and who's griping, I simply saying facetime won't solve world hunger and peace.
Some people know when its Sunny and put on some sunscreen and a hat...
Other people tend to hang around the back of Mr Jobs, wondering where the lights coming from...
Me - well, I know it comes from the Sky... I also know if it came from the other place, the light won't get out because his heads blocking the hole...
Lol, it took longer than expected for the fanboy comment to come out. I'm not one and you may be surprised to know that my views aren't blinkered either. I don't agree with all that Apple does and can be very vocal against just as you are. All I was stating in this situation is what I believe is Apples motivation for not enabling standard 3G video calls and using another format instead. If they had just enabled standard 3G video calls the chances are things wouldn't move forward as quickly as they'd like, doing it this way and with a large user base they hopefully steer the market away from people being charged extortionate rates to make video calls. Yes, FaceTime is one of many options available to us but that's the one Apple build in as part of the OS, as you know there are others so you have the choice. Without FaceTime (or another Apple video chat) you would not be able to make the video calls using Yahoo messenger as they wouldn't have bothered putting the much desired front facing camera on it.
Unless you can tell me otherwise Yahoo messenger cannot make a standard 3G video call to another mobile that doesn't use messenger, which is where this discussion started, so the choice of network we use to make our video calls is just that, a choice.
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