Live data from Hacker News

FaceTime is coming to Android and Windows via the web

theverge.com

71–80 of 352 posts

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

#71

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 love Jitsi, the main part being that I don’t need an account. It has always worked well for me, we use it for “virtual happy hours” and well it’s user friendly enough it seems to be a big enough hurdle the not so technical saavy seem to not get. There is an iOS app, or you just use a browser. I guess it’s normally the problem of making sure people enable their camera and microphone. Any who, FaceTime in browser seems like a big win for most people. People generally know how to use Apple things.

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

#72

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

>forcing someone to create an account that uses their phone number and installs an app on their device

If I had any choice I would decline to join a whatsapp or signal call.

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

#73
post #42

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 is a honest question, so, what is so good about FaceTime? I have not used an iPhone since version 3GS, so it has been a while, but I understand it is just something similar to whatsapp video calls, google meet, or even zoom?

My Grandpa has FaceTime and already knows how to use it.

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

#75
post #17

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.

FaceTime: Owned by a notoriously secretive and litigous company using closed source and unverifiable claims

I'm not saying that Apple is somehow abusing your privacy in ways you don't know, but I am saying you don't really know one way or the other and largely cannot verify that their software is doing what they claim it does

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

#76
post #17

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.

FaceTime: Owned by a notoriously secretive and litigous company using closed source and unverifiable claims

I'm not saying that Apple is somehow abusing your privacy in ways you don't know, but I am saying you don't really know one way or the other and largely cannot verify that their software is doing what they claim it does

Signal is open source, by the way.

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

#77
post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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

Signal: developed by a non-profit organization, free and open source, end-to-end encrypted in all regions, no encryption key hosting arrangements with any government-owned third party firm

[deleted]

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

#78
post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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

Signal: developed by a non-profit organization, free and open source, end-to-end encrypted in all regions, no encryption key hosting arrangements with any government-owned third party firm

Also developed by guy who is fighting against you being able to install it without involvement with a company that makes money by invading your privacy, who also has a history of working for companies making money invading your privacy.

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

#80
post #42

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 is a honest question, so, what is so good about FaceTime? I have not used an iPhone since version 3GS, so it has been a while, but I understand it is just something similar to whatsapp video calls, google meet, or even zoom?

What others have said. From my experience it's relatively simple, feature limited and dead simple to use on screen/camera containing ios/macos devices. The web version won't have the same get the app nag/confusion as zoom/whatsapp/meet, at least temporarily....
Post reply on HN