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FaceTime is coming to Android and Windows via the web

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Re: FaceTime is coming to Android and Windows via the web

#21

Post by DoctorOW »

kevincox wrote: post #18

Wow. That is unexpected. I have to say that FaceTime in a browser sandbox is one of the few Apple products I would consider using. I wonder what made them take this path? I also wonder if someone could build a Matrix bridge if it is available via web, that would be fairly cool. Some questions: - Is it phone-number based IDs? Or can I pick a username or get a random ID? - Is spam going to be a problem? Previous Apple…

This comment likely answers your questions https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=27425909

Re: FaceTime is coming to Android and Windows via the web

#22

Post by radicalbyte »

minimaxir wrote: post #15
radicalbyte wrote: post #7

As is, or will it be made good? The UX of the current version is poor on iPad / OSX. That was fine in the past - Skype was the only competition and that was horrible - but with Jitsi, Zoom and Discord killing it they've fallen miles behind.

iOS 15 will have a lot of new Zoom-similar features. (e.g. Grid View and Backgrounds)

What about the really basic stuff:

* Broken contact list (it's worse than Skype!).

* Broken screen orientation.

* Ringing on every Apple device you own under the sun.

With their A-Team now on the case I'm sure that it'll get fixed.

Re: FaceTime is coming to Android and Windows via the web

#23

Post by HatchedLake721 »

radicalbyte wrote: post #7

As is, or will it be made good? The UX of the current version is poor on iPad / OSX. That was fine in the past - Skype was the only competition and that was horrible - but with Jitsi, Zoom and Discord killing it they've fallen miles behind.

I think you're missing the point who FaceTime is made for.

Jitsi - heard of it once ages ago, never used it

Zoom - for business

Discord - gamers/teens?

They can carry on "killing it", but I'm not going to ask my mom to install and signup for Discord. I'll FaceTime her or send her a link she can 1-click join.

Re: FaceTime is coming to Android and Windows via the web

#24

Post by bilal4hmed »

kevincox wrote: post #20
bilal4hmed wrote: post #5

Its only 1 way which means an Apple user can send a link to a non ios user to join in. I as an Android user cant do that. Cross platform like whatsapp, duo or signal still win here

To be clear are you saying that a web user has no way to initiate a call? They can only join via one-time link to a call started by a user on Apple hardware?

That is correct

So an Apple user creates a facetime call and sends the invite link to Android & Windows user. They then join on to the call using their browsers.

Non iOS devices wont be able to make a call. The web interface is just a way to join a call.

Re: FaceTime is coming to Android and Windows via the web

#25

Post by nso »

dannyw wrote: post #17
bilal4hmed wrote: post #5

Its only 1 way which means an Apple user can send a link to a non ios user to join in. I as an Android user cant do that. Cross platform like whatsapp, duo or signal still win here

WhatsApp: Owned by a company that makes money invading your privacy. Duo: owned by a company that makes money invading your privacy.

I had to get upper management involved once when trying to buy an Airport Express, because they wouldn't allow me to make a purchase at the Apple store without leaving my name and contact details.

Re: FaceTime is coming to Android and Windows via the web

#26

Post by CharlesW »

standardUser wrote: post #6

I always use WhatsApp or Instagram for non-work video chatting. FaceTime is completely irrelevant unless you just happen to have your entire social circle using one company's hardware with no exceptions.

> FaceTime is completely irrelevant unless you just happen to have your entire social circle using one company's hardware with no exceptions.

No option is universal (not one of my kids' friends uses WhatsApp or Instagram, for example), although Zoom is near-universal in my family's world. FaceTime is a great option for friends/family who use iOS, and I'm glad to see Android and Windows support. It wouldn't surprise me to see it join Apple Music and Apple TV as an Android-native app.

Re: FaceTime is coming to Android and Windows via the web

#27

Post by ninkendo »

HatchedLake721 wrote: post #23
radicalbyte wrote: post #7

As is, or will it be made good? The UX of the current version is poor on iPad / OSX. That was fine in the past - Skype was the only competition and that was horrible - but with Jitsi, Zoom and Discord killing it they've fallen miles behind.

I think you're missing the point who FaceTime is made for. Jitsi - heard of it once ages ago, never used it Zoom - for business Discord - gamers/teens? They can carry on "killing it", but I'm not going to ask my mom to install and signup for Discord. I'll FaceTime her or send her a link she can 1-click join.

I think Zoom is more "For everyone" than just for business. At least until they decide to start charging for it.

Re: FaceTime is coming to Android and Windows via the web

#30

Post by teawrecks »

HatchedLake721 wrote: post #23
radicalbyte wrote: post #7

As is, or will it be made good? The UX of the current version is poor on iPad / OSX. That was fine in the past - Skype was the only competition and that was horrible - but with Jitsi, Zoom and Discord killing it they've fallen miles behind.

I think you're missing the point who FaceTime is made for. Jitsi - heard of it once ages ago, never used it Zoom - for business Discord - gamers/teens? They can carry on "killing it", but I'm not going to ask my mom to install and signup for Discord. I'll FaceTime her or send her a link she can 1-click join.

Discord voice chat works in browser without an account. Not sure about video, though. Discord has it's bugs, but IMO it's categorically better than zoom.
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