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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

#111

Post by pridkett »

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.

The screen orientation thing gets me - and it’s been that way for YEARS.

In short, unlike most every other app which seems to actually use the orientation APIs, Facetime fakes it. This works fine on your phone, but if you’re trying to airplay the call up to your TV so you can see people a little larger, nope. You’re stuck in portrait mode forever. You’re better off asking the other person to rotate their phone.

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

#112

Post by drewmol »

olyjohn wrote: post #90
dylan604 wrote: post #81

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've given out 212-555-1234 as my phone number to so many random places, that I've accidentally given it out when I didn't need to hide my real number.

Also just about everywhere... (xxx) 867-5309 works for rewards cards and things like that. Also at Walgreens, you can use (420) 420-4204. That was the number the cashier gave me there since I told them I didn’t have a rewards card.

Just about everywhere: (local area code)-123-4567. 10 years ago I was almost always the only entry, if you're ever in the Cleveland feel free to use Aaaron ;-) If they don't like 123, use the store phone # prefix

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

#113

Post by Seanambers »

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?

I see from the responses that one thing that is omitted is the clearly higher audio/video quality. I had someone call me on facebook messenger, but had to ask them to call me on facetime purely because of quality, and its not the first time.

As with all Apple products "it just works". I wonder if that may change when it goes to the web.

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

#114

Post by skinnymuch »

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

From Duo wiki: “ In August 2020, it was reported that Google was planning to eventually replace Google Duo with Google Meet, but would continue to support Duo and "invest in building new features" in the long term.[2]”

I don’t know exactly what that means. Seems like not much and Duo is still a priority. But all the deprecating and switching of Google products makes them a non win for me. It’s hard for me to get friends to try a new service. If it disappoints, the next time is that much harder.

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

#115

Post by [deleted] »

someonehere wrote: post #109
Someone1234 wrote: post #44

A lot of Apple's previous attempts at "web apps" have been pretty half-arsed. Including Apple Music currently. Let's see if this is any different. I'm currently using Signal on Windows/Android/iOS and apart from two annoyances it is fine. - No gif support on Windows (Android/iOS only) - Cannot add a second phone but can add a tablet. As soon as it detects a SIM card slot (with or without SIM in it) it only allows you…

You want half assed? FaceTime when it was announced by Steve Jobs, he himself up on stage said it would be open source. The developers in the front rows looked at each other and said, “did we say it would be open sourced?” It’s still not open sourced to this day.

[deleted]

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

#116

Post by skinnymuch »

bilal4hmed wrote: post #24
kevincox wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

So Apple user using an iOS or MacBook device, not just an Apple user? Presumably on a supported iOS or macOS version too which also limits the devices too.

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

#117

Post by joecool1029 »

commoner wrote: post #62
dannyw wrote: 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

> no encryption key hosting arrangements with any government-owned third party firm

Not really needed when your IME is spying on you. Signal in such an arrangement becomes security theater. They acknowledge this is a problem on their support site but never make any attempt to educate new users to the app: https://support.signal.org/hc/en-us/articles/360055276112-In... . It is arrogant to dismiss concerns about commonly-used IME's when people rely on this app for their own protection.

This was discussed previously on HN if anyone's interested in reading about the response, or lack thereof to the criticism: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=25758995

>free and open source

Want to also point out that months go by without server code being published: https://www.xda-developers.com/signal-updates-public-server-...

Also, when users protested reliance on Google's store, analytics, and play services, Moxie chose to attack the forks and made us wait for years to get a direct APK without the requirements available off their site. I acknowledge that there's legitimate reasons why this was done, but all we get are excuses and silence for long periods of time when these problems crop up. It is not in the spirit of opensource/free software development to attack your own community.

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

#120

Post by reaperducer »

someonehere wrote: post #109
Someone1234 wrote: post #44

A lot of Apple's previous attempts at "web apps" have been pretty half-arsed. Including Apple Music currently. Let's see if this is any different. I'm currently using Signal on Windows/Android/iOS and apart from two annoyances it is fine. - No gif support on Windows (Android/iOS only) - Cannot add a second phone but can add a tablet. As soon as it detects a SIM card slot (with or without SIM in it) it only allows you…

You want half assed? FaceTime when it was announced by Steve Jobs, he himself up on stage said it would be open source. The developers in the front rows looked at each other and said, “did we say it would be open sourced?” It’s still not open sourced to this day.

You want half assed?

Not Apple's fault. See other replies in this thread that it was killed by a patent troll.

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