iPhone 4 features: FaceTime hands-on
Leanna and Chad go hands-on -- and faces on! -- with iPhone 4 FaceTime video calling
One of the big game-changers of the iPhone 4 is FaceTime, Apple's version of video-calling. Chad and I were very excited to try it out and recorded our experience.
A few things first. You can initiate a FaceTime call either from the person's Contact entry, or while on a phone call. It's incredibly simple and easy to do -- except for one glaring omission Dieter and Marcus already noted...
You can't tell when the person you want to video call is available (on their iPhone 4 on Wi-Fi) so you can FaceTime them. If you're on a call chances are they'll tell you whether they're ready or not, but if you try it without asking, or from the Contact entry, it will time-out if it can't connect.
We should also point out that you can enable and disable FaceTime in the Settings. This is great for privacy but if it's off and you don't know it's off, it can be frustrating. Needless to say, if you want to use FaceTime, make sure it's enabled.
On with the video hands-on, after the break.
The first thing we noticed is that the quality of the video is extremely good - better than either of us was expecting. There was no lag or pixelation.
A fun discovery we made is that the small window containing your own video (self-portrait) can be moved to any corner you wish. A quick flick in the appropriate direction is all you need to do.
We also tested out the audio with our headsets in and we both agreed that the quality was much crisper. This is probably because the headset mic is picking up the audio instead of the iPhone's mic which we're holding a couple feet away from our mouths.
Another thing we discovered is that you can press the home screen during a FaceTime call and use any other apps on the iPhone. However, this will pause the video for the other person and only audio will be heard. You can easily return to the FaceTime call by tapping the green bar that appears at the top of the screen, similar to browsing other apps when on a voice call.
In conclusion, Chad and I are very impressed with FaceTime on the iPhone and we can't wait to use it as a method to speak to our Canadian TiPb-ers, Rene and Georgia!
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I would have done FaceTime with you Chad, but I had to return my iPhone! I am without phone for 5 to 7 days now.
Can u FaceTime internationally like USA via Germany this would be nice and supposedly ok since not using cellular min anyone know?
@Vince I have heard that you can do that but quality goes down a bit. Not sure why but it could have been the people's connection.
Ohhh man, I feel so bad right now for Rene in Canada!
I think engadget had a successful international facetime call, it was mentioned in the facetime demo video in their review
wow thats amazing
Very cool, tks for sharing.
That is so cool! can't wait.
Quality looks great.
I'm impressed. Hope Apple brings this to Canada... soon!
Hey all! I've tried from three different wifi hotspots to make a FT call, to the same number belonging to an iPhone 4, and the symbol never appeared! Also, when the other person tries to initiate the call, it says my number doesn't support Facetime... I'm currently restoring the device, to see if maybe it's a software glitch. Has anyone else seen this issue? I at first thought it may have been an issue with a firewall or something at work and at Starbucks, but it's still doing it at home... Thanks guys!
I can't wait to try this. Now all I need to do is wait till the white phone comes out and for someone to talk to who has a I4
Apparently Apple has employees to help customers test FaceTime. 1-888-FaceTime
Leanna, Chad are you guys on twitter? I'd like to follow!
Hey Ryan...I just struggled with the same issue until I learned there is a setting for FaceTime in "Settings" --> "Phone". By default FaceTime is turned off. But once you turn FaceTime on it works like a dream. It's amazing!
Tim thank you for that information about turning the FaceTime on in setting, I thought there was something wrong with the phone. I changed the setting after reading your post and I now see the Facetime icon. Now if I just had someone to use FaceTime with, I can't wait until my husband and friend get their new Iphone 4.
Tim, thanks, I tried that many times, and even restored... After all that... and trying to see if my wifi had a firewall blocking it... I called Apple. THEY said... you have to have a text messaging plan! "FaceTime sends a confirmation text message to Apple's servers to activate FaceTime calling" is what she read to me. I didn't initially have a plan because I did the ol' add-a-line only to switch sim cards because I wasn't eligible for an upgrade. So yeeeeeah! Thanks guys, try adding just a pay-per-use plan (or add a plan and take it off once FT works.. ) Good luck. Can't wait to use it!
Only see a it make smile, need one bad
Very impressive! Both is video and audio quality. Also very impressed with Ms. Leanna's dexterity with filming in one hand and Facetiming in the other!
Will this convince my wife who is a skype video monster to buy an iPhone? Hope so, or maybe when Skype implements video chat.
Question? You can only use facetime on WiFi? You could do this on the Evo over a month ago and you don't need WiFi. So I guess the Evo is better.
@Fonzman - click on the Follow Tipb on.... banner and you'll see their individual accounts as well - copied and pasted here:
Twitter You can follow our feed via @tipb on Twitter, and keep up with our staff including @reneritchie, @backlon (Dieter), @iChadman, @JFSikora (Jeremy), @llofte, @GeorgiaTiPb and @iMuggle (Ally).
I heard this will only work with another iPhone4 user? Is that correct? So that is like 0.01% of the population out there? Nice. Thanks for connecting me to the world Apple.
Awwww! So few wifi places out there!
if you accidentally called someone on facetime but cancelled it, will that person see your image? or is it only realtime?