Why iPhone 4′s “Facetime” Video Chat Will Fail…
Walt Mossberg’s iPhone 4 Review is up (embedded below) and it confirms what many people thought – iPhone 4 seems to be a great device but video chat is destined to fail given Apple’s recent moves in the marketplace. You can get a full rundown of iPhone OS 4 features here.
- For starters, in order to use Video Chat on iPhone 4 you need to have someone else with the exact same device. Not 3GS, not 3G. Only iPhone 4 people can video chat with other iPhone 4 people.
- You need Wi-Fi to run “Facetime”. This will rule out people video chatting on the go. In a fixed location most people would have a laptop with a webcam so why use a mobile device in this instance? You would need to hold it the entire time and the iPhone isn’t the easiest device to prop up for stationary chat.
- No cross platform compatibility. In the review, Mossberg claims Apple is “going to open video chat software to other companies”. Bull. Shit.
Apple’s recent moves in the marketplace against Adobe and other companies shows that it definitely is not keen to play nice in the sandbox with others. In fact, I would not be surprised if Apple blocks other video chat software from running on iPhone 4 as to not compete with “Facetime”. The only way video chat will become big on mobile like it has on the PC is if there’s cross platform compatibility or unifying software (like Skype) that works across all systems and in this case handsets and mobile OS’es. This is frustrating for the consumer and it’s starting to feel like the 90′s again where Apple decisions nearly sunk the company. Replace Microsoft with Google and it’s the same scenario all over again.
On a final note, I’m starting to get the sense that Apple’s “Go at it alone” strategy is ultimately going to sink it since video chat won’t be exclusive to mobile devices and will need to be compatible across a connected TV in the living room, the PC and mobile. Skype is already making great strides here from software being available on all formats. There’s no denying Apple has clout in the mobile sector but do they really have the political capital elsewhere? I for one definitely think they do not. Would love to hear your comments or hit me up on twitter @kobrakai.
Disclaimer: I have an iPhone and I love it. It’s the best mobile device I’ve ever used. But, like others, I’m getting tired of the restrictions on my device and the device’s inability to play nice with others.
Tags: interactive video chat, iphone 4 video chat, iphone Facetime, iphone video chat fail, Mobile Video Chat, Skype, walt mossberg iphone review
Read through your post/points and there were few arguments that were a bit off…
I don’t work for Apple, but to me, the reason FaceTime shouldn’t work with prior iPhones is because the iPhone 4 is the first model to have a front-facing camera. Kinda hard to have FaceTime when you can’t see because you’re filming yourself from the rear camera. Also from a tech perspective, there’s no telling if the new A4 processor is the enabler of this technology. Maybe the 3GS wasn’t strong enough? Who knows…
You’re also really underselling the proliferation of WIFI. Not only are increasing numbers homes and businesses moving over to WIFI enabled networks, consumer-packed places like Starbucks, McDonalds, Barnes and Nobles, Dennys etc. now all offer free WIFI. Would be great if FaceTime worked over 3G, sure, but AT&T can barely get voice calls right on their substandard 3G network.
You’re right that video chat has been around forever with tech like Skype, but there’s a reason why it hasn’t hit mainstream status yet. Fumbling with settings, configurations and all that other “stuff” regular folks hate, has been the roadblock. I see FaceTime being a huge revolution, the UI is simple, and by all reports, it just flat out works. Overall, Facetime is a classic example of what can happen when a company builds both the hardware and software, together.
I really used to enjoy reading this blog, but it has slowly morphed into an Anti-Apple soapbox. I’m not sure if your beefs are genuine or if it’s your dissapointment that Apple’s direction doesn’t vibe with your business offerings. Nonetheless, it’d be great to see more balanced and measured entries that don’t deliberately read like a flame post.
June 24th, 2010 at 4:48 pm@Simon….
Thanks for the comment and great feeback. We try to definitely provide fair and balanced content but also subjective viewpoints from individuals. For this post in particular and my feelings towards Apple, I’m definitely not anti-Apple as much as I’m anti what Steve Jobs is trying to do – create systems and infrastructures that will not work with competitors and cause developer and consumer headaches. If you read this blog, you know I’m a HUGE proponent of interactive mobile video chat and think it’s going to redefine how we talk and interact with each other – but not if systems can’t interact from carrier to carrier and handset to handset. Granted I have not tried Facetime out yet (I’m busy trying to get outlook working again on my 3GS after OS 4 upgrade) but I have to disagree that Apple is suddenly going to change how they’ve traditionally operated to truly allow Facetime to work across multiple (and competitive) handsets.
As for the blog’s vibe, the feelings are genuine from people here. I think the ‘anti-Apple’ vibe you’re seeing on the blog is more a reflection of how people have started to feel about Apple’s recent conduct in the marketplace – with Flash, with Developers and so on. What I think is striking the biggest chord though is how Apple has been subjectively censoring content, apps and so on all in the name of ‘the greater good’ while it furthers their business agenda. For better or worse, Apple is now the king of the hill and is going to garner most of the love/hate as their every move is scrutinized…
June 24th, 2010 at 5:42 pmbtw i forgot to congrats you last time
July 17th, 2010 at 1:55 amThanks for the comment and great feeback. We try to definitely provide fair and balanced content but also subjective viewpoints from individuals. For this post in particular and my feelings towards Apple, I’m definitely not anti-Apple as much as I’m anti what Steve Jobs is trying to do – create systems and infrastructures that will not work with competitors and cause developer and consumer headaches. If you read this blog, you know I’m a HUGE proponent of interactive mobile video chat and think it’s going to redefine how we talk and interact with each other – but not if systems can’t interact from carrier to carrier and handset to handset. Granted I have not tried Facetime out yet (I’m busy trying to get outlook working again on my 3GS after OS 4 upgrade) but I have to disagree that Apple is suddenly going to change how they’ve traditionally operated to truly allow Facetime to work across multiple (and competitive) handsets.
September 29th, 2010 at 5:55 pmMy wife and I just finished watching a killer documentary on apple’s mr jobs and his part in pixar. The show gave me up to a brand new idea into this brilliant dude and why he has such an amazing track record. next time you get a sec, watch it on netflix…called The Pixar Story.
June 29th, 2011 at 7:52 pm