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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

#91

Post by lotsofpulp »

kwanbix wrote: post #42
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 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?

In my family, it was the best video calling option back in 2010-2012 or so, and there was no competition. So all the older people only know how to use Facetime, and no one is going to go through the trouble of teaching them anything else.

I also have been embarrassed trying to teach Google's solutions and then Google messing with them over and over, so I won't ever try to introduce a Google service again.

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

#92

Post by pier25 »

sgt wrote: post #85
Hamuko wrote: post #3

But iMessages isn't, ensuring its continued irrelevance in countries that are not the United States of America.

Among iPhone users, iMessage is heavily used as it's simply the most pleasant solution out there for messaging. For what it's worth, I'm in South Africa and about 95% of my friends have iPhones. WhatsApp is very popular here, but for chatting I probably check WhatsApp three times a day, and I use iMessage almost continuously.

It's anecdotal, but in Mexico and Spain I don't know a single iPhone user that uses Messages. Everyone uses Whatsapp.

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

#93

Post by zoover2020 »

lotsofpulp wrote: post #43
ninkendo wrote: post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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

It is amazing to me that FAMAG companies let Zoom into the video call market. A half competent cross platform implementation would have left no room for Zoom. My parents use Zoom now, and my distant non tech literate cousin in a developing country used Zoom to broadcast a funeral from abroad during COVID to all the extended family members around the world.

Don't forget Amazon Chime! :')

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

#94

Post by dave5104 »

noja wrote: post #89
dheera wrote: post #84

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Signal: requires disclosing a phone number to everyone you use it with

Which means the other person knows it's me, right?

Might be troublesome if you don't want the other person to know it's you, though.

But that's probably not a problem in day to day communication with family and friends.

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

#95

Post by pyr0hu »

mercutio2 wrote: post #63
radicalbyte wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

What's broken about the contact list? What's wrong with ringing all your Apple devices?

parent wants Apple to build a telekinetic device that can read parent's mind to decide which device to ring

(obligatory /s)

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

#96

Post by pyr0hu »

pier25 wrote: post #88
marinhero wrote: post #11

Maybe this means Apple will bring iMessage to Android in a year or two just to mess with Facebook Messenger.

I agree. This seems like Apple is finally conceding it needs to bring FaceTime and Messages to Android and Windows, but it wants to do it slowly so that it looks like they don't care much. BTW outside of the US, Whatsapp is (AFAIK) the most popular messenger. At least in the Western world. I don't know about China.

Western EU, yes. Eastern, not sure, Messenger and Viber seems more popular around Balkan for example

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

#97

Post by lotsofpulp »

threatofrain wrote: post #68
xd1936 wrote: post #66

"FaceTime on Android(browser) is such a brilliant way of guaranteeing your Android friends will always have a lesser experience without completing excluding them. The video chat version of green bubbles."[1] 1. https://twitter.com/russellholly/status/1401950208133632004

I don't think it's productive to equate the green/blue color thing with the accessibility or parity of experience between web apps and native apps. The green/blue distinction is very meaningful. It tells you whether your chats are encrypted, which is not a default to SMS technology. In fact it would be more honest or accurate for Apple to display a padlock to inform you that you're secure; instead we have colors.

Also, international SMS/MMS incurs additional costs, so blue in iMessages lets me know it will not cost me anything, whereas green might be depending on the number to which I am sending SMS/MMS.

Also, MMS is terrible.

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

#98

Post by lotsofpulp »

radicalbyte wrote: post #22
minimaxir wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

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

You can control which device(s) ring:

https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/phone-calls-ipad-ipod...

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

#99

Post by JumpCrisscross »

dheera wrote: post #84
commoner wrote: post #62

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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

Signal: requires disclosing a phone number to everyone you use it with

> Signal: requires disclosing a phone number to everyone you use it with

Signal also got distracted with a cryptocurrency scheme [1]. That shot their credibility in many circles.

[1] https://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2021/04/wtf-signal-ad...

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