While some people may be moderately annoyed by a FaceTime outage, iMessage problems is another story. Messaging is one of the most popular and important features for mobile devices. Read more »
On Wednesday, the carrier said it would open the capability to iPhone or iPad users on tiered data plans. The update will be rolled out sometime over the next couple of weeks. Read more »
Some AT&T iPhone customers with older unlimited data plans report that they have access to FaceTime over cellular. This would be yet another step in the evolution of its stance, since the service was supposed to be available only to shared and tiered plan customers. Read more »
Skype 3.0 for Android is here, boasting improved audio quality thanks to Skype’s own SILK codec. After testing the new client on both Android phones and tablets, I can hear a bit of a difference, but some key flaws remain for video calls. Read more »
A preview version of Skype for Windows Phone 8 is available for those with new Microsoft-powered handsets. Although the app isn’t finalized, it offers a solid set of features such as People hub integration, calls in the background and presence in the contact list. Read more »
Isn’t it time for Apple to make good on its promise to make FaceTime an open standard? After all, the video service arrived in June of 2010 and we haven’t heard a peep on any effort to open up FaceTime for use on other platforms. Read more »
AT&T had come under fire this summer when it said only customers who subscribed to a new Mobile Share plan could use FaceTime over cellular networks. Several open internet groups threatened to file complaints with the FCC, saying it violated net neutrality. Read more »
That amount may be a drop in the bucket for cash-rich Apple, but a loss is a loss: Apple was ordered by a Texas district court to pay for infringing the patents of a Nevada company that provides secure communication over VPN networks. Read more »
Open Internet groups plans to complain to the FCC about AT&T’s decision to limit Apple’s FaceTime video calling application to its cellular network for certain customers. The groups view the limits as a violation of the network neutrality rules the FCC implemented in 2010. Read more »
In blocking Apple’s FaceTime application from its cellular network for certain customers, AT&T is trying to drive customers to new plans and change the debate when it comes to network neutrality. If Ma Bell succeeds it looks like consumers and maybe app developers could lose. Read more »
AT&T says it’s not blocking any apps and that users can still use FaceTime over Wi-Fi as before. The carrier also says there’s a place for “reasonable restrictions” on preloaded apps on the iPhone — but the definition of “preloaded” can be a bit tricky. Read more »
The growing number of handsets that have front-facing cameras may mean that another common device becomes less necessary — the mirror that many women carry around in their purses. After all, why pull out a compact when your smartphone can show you exactly what you look like. Read more »
AT&T won’t make users pay to use Apple’s video call service over a cellular connection once that capability goes live this fall. But the carrier says this option is only available to customers who sign up for its new shared voice and data plans. Read more »
A new “Wi-Fi Plus Cellular” feature appears in the latest beta build of iOS 6. This should allow background synchronization for certain native applications but appears to include FaceTime as well, indicating that iOS 6 will support seamless FaceTime calls moving from Wi-Fi to mobile broadband. Read more »
Here’s our daily pick of stories about Apple from around the web that you shouldn’t miss. Today’s installment: Mat Honan’s iCloud hack wasn’t preventable with a strong password, hints about a larger iPhone in iOS 6, the Apple TV moves beyond hobby stage, and more. Read more »
Here’s our daily pick of stories about Apple from around the web that you shouldn’t miss. Today’s installment: Apple readies new iCloud email addresses, AT&T might charge for FaceTime over cellular, iPhone 3GS owners get more iOS 6 features, the iPad is now an Xbox remote. Read more »
I’ve been testing FaceTime over cellular data for a few weeks using the iOS 6 beta software. It works OK, but not as good as on Wi-Fi. Now, a new pop-up message indicates that carriers may charge for the service over their networks. Will you pay? Read more »
Apple may be planning to add 3G data support for FaceTime on iOS devices, based on some recently published screenshots. Many have wanted FaceTime on a mobile broadband instead of Wi-Fi networks. But I’m not sold that it’s a good idea. Here’s why. Read more »
Previously, we told you how you can use your iPad as a telephone. Using a Bluetooth headset with your iPad makes that idea even more practical. The Jawbone ERA is the one I happen to use, but others should work just as well. Read more »
I don’t use FaceTime all that often, which is why this neat little Arduino-based hack is so cool: It basically guarantees someone will call me using Apple’s video chat service. Plus, that someone will also be a dog called Chewie. Read more »
Many mainstream consumers were introduced to mobile video chat via Apple’s FaceTime service, but video calling from phones has been around for a while and works on regular cellular networks. Now that we have a number of mobile video chat services, which are you using? Read more »
On both iOS and OS X, there exists an URL scheme that Safari supports that will launch FaceTime directly. It’s a great way to let you provide others with a quick and easy way to get in touch via video chat, or to manage FaceTime contacts. Read more »
Juniper Research of the U.K. released a report that shows that by 2016 nearly four-fifths of 640 million mobile VoIP users will be making calls through apps downloaded on their smartphones, while the rest of the calls could be over phone company networks. Read more »
Skype just dropped an update for its Mac client. Version 5.3 includes support for HD video, so long as your Mac is equipped with one of the new FaceTime HD cameras introduced in MacBook Pros earlier this year, or a third-party camera that supports HD resolution. Read more »
Apple has included facial recognition technology in iOS 5, 9to5Mac discovered earlier this week. It’s not something Apple is advertising with the software update yet, but as it develops, it could become on of the most significant additions ever introduced to Apple’s mobile operating system. Read more »
Tango has raised an additional $42 million led by Draper Fisher Jurvetson. The mobile video chat provider will use that to ramp up hiring and compete against offerings from Skype and others. To do that, it will soon launch a desktop video chat app. Read more »
Last weekend I had on of my eureka moments around mobile video chat. It’s gonna be big, perhaps as big as 29.6 billion video calls made in 2015. So to all the naysayers who think video chat is just plain weird, hear me out. Read more »
Facebook launched a bunch of new features Wednesday, including group chat, a redesigned chat user list, and the biggest of all, video chat via a partnership with Skype. It’s this last one that will have the biggest implications for most average Mac users. Read more »
A picture is worth a thousand words, and a video will save you even more typing. There are lots of video chat options out there now for both Mac and iOS, and the competition is fierce. Which is your go-to client on either platform, and why? Read more »
Skype opened up its development platform to all comers Tuesday, but it still has a disconnect between revenue generation and its platform efforts. Like many companies trying to build a dominant position in the technology ecosystem, Skype is navigating the path between dollars and devs. Read more »
New MacBook Airs could be right around the corner, according to stock shortages at retail partners like Best Buy and Amazon. OS X Lion is also arriving in July, which begins in only a few short days, and the Air could arrive at the same time. Read more »
Video chat provider ooVoo has just released an iPhone app, allowing users to leverage multiplatform video chat on their Apple devices. By doing so, iPhone and iPod touch users can launch video chat sessions with up to five of their friends, wherever they are. Read more »
While there’s probably no single provider that provides an exact like-for-like replacement for all of Skype’s features, there are plenty of companies offering great VoIP and video calling services; some of which are even better than Skype’s. Here is a list of my favorites: Read more »
Microsoft announced today that it will acquire Skype for $8.5 billion in cash and that Skype will form a new business division within Microsoft. Despite Microsoft’s position as a longtime Apple competitor, this deal could improve the state of video chat on Apple devices. Read more »
Apple just released its new iMacs, and I ordered the stock, entry-level, 27-inch configuration to replace my main work computer, a late 2008 20-inch iMac. It arrived today, so I recorded my unboxing and early hands-on experience with the computer. Bottom line: it’s a beast. Read more »
After nearly 16 months, my Google Nexus One is finally out-of-date. That’s a record for me keeping one single phone, but it’s time for an upgrade, because Google just announced video chat capabilities in Android 2.3.4, rolling out to the Nexus S and other new phones. Read more »
Apple just released iOS 4.3.2 for iOS devices. The update includes various bug fixes and improvements, including the resolution of the FaceTime random image capture bug, and an a fix for problems some international users were having connecting to 3G networks on the iPad. Read more »
Mobile video chat was all the rage last year. But the new battleground is now becoming group video chat. Oovoo kicked off the competition late last year and now Fring is keeping pace with a group video calls, a new feature now launching in limited beta. Read more »
Technological advancements have minimized the need for employees to be as physically present in a traditional office setting, and employee relationships now extend across different time zones and geographies. This paper discusses the future of work and the workplace in that context. We examine the shifting nature of actual workspaces, from four office walls to the online world; the emergence of new flexible hours that no longer require a nine-to-five mindset; the role of consumer-grade technologies such as iPads, smartphones and notebooks in the workplace; and what role cloud-based services such as Box.net, Huddle and Dropbox play. Companies mentioned in this report include Facebook, Apple, Google and Skype. For a full list of companies, and to read the full report, sign up for a free trial. Read more at GigaOM Pro »
Eager to see the new iPad 2 in action? Apple has posted some guided tour videos detailing a number of the device’s software features, including previews of the new GarageBand and iMovie apps. Also included are demos of FaceTime and AirPlay, plus many other features. Read more »
