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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

#191

Post by almostdigital »

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 like it because it has lower a/v latency compared to many other apps, especially over long distances. I think many people don't realize how much it affects the feel of the call.

A fun way to test is counting to 10 by having one person say 1 and the other say 2 as soon as they hear the 1 and so on. You'd be surprised how long it can take to count to 10 on some apps

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

#192

Post by izgzhen »

floatingatoll wrote: post #108
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…

My theory is that FaceTime calls can only be initiated/scheduled from an Apple device. That prevents most of the spam problem, since you won’t be able to initiate a call through web.

> Apple announced that FaceTime is going to be available on the web so users can call in from Android devices and Windows PCs

From the article.

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

#194

Post by lurkerasdfh8 »

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…

> I wonder what made them take this path?

it was literally an email that surface on the Epic store litigation, where one Apple exec says (quote from memory) "We can't have facetime for android because that will remove the barrier for families to buy Android phones for their kids"

So it will be crappy and have TONS of limitations (wouldn't be surprised it it only work with one apple device hosting) because it is only for legal excuse reasons.

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

#195

Post by fomine3 »

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.

LINE is the default choice for "video call" here in Japan despite high market share of iPhone. In other countries, maybe WhatsApp, WeChat, etc is on same position.

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

#196

Post by axiosgunnar »

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…

> I wonder what made them take this path?

Very simple.

Video conferencing software has an anti-network effect:

If just one person in a group cannot use a particular app, nobody in the group can.

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

#197

Post by dagmx »

avianlyric wrote: post #144
threatofrain wrote: post #68

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

The colours are definitely there to indicate who doesn’t have an iDevice. They predate iMessage being end-to-end encrypted, and predates Apples current privacy push. Additionally Apple senior leaders have got up on stage and joked about how people with green bubbles are second class friends. All of that together makes me think the bubble colours are primarily there to gently nudge people into getting their friends an…

They exist to differentiate SMS vs iMessage.

This is important between fully iOS users too if data isn't available, to signify it sent via SMS.

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

#198

Post by rootusrootus »

test001only wrote: post #187
kwanbix wrote: post #42

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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?

Atleast for me, the experience with Facetime has been less than optimal. For some reason the call option to some of my contacts is always disabled even though they can call me. The left hand side of the window in Mac always displays recently called. No idea how to access contacts in the Mac app. The video quality is all right.

> The left hand side of the window in Mac always displays recently called. No idea how to access contacts in the Mac app.

In the app itself AFAIK your only option is to type into the search box at the top of the missed calls list, and it will search contacts.

Otherwise you can load the contacts app and look there, and then click the facetime icon for the contact you want to connect with.

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

#199

Post by joecool1029 »

commoner wrote: post #169
joecool1029 wrote: post #117

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> 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 common…

My point is that Signal is preferable to Apple Messages for privacy and security. I am not claiming that Signal is the best solution for every use case. (For instance, Matrix is superior if you do not want to be tied to a phone number.) > Not really needed when your IME is spying on you. Users can choose an open source keyboard on Android, such as AnySoftKeyboard or the default Android Keyboard (on AOSP installations…

I'm not comparing Signal to Apple Messages, I am criticizing the promotion of Signal as a superior alternative while its developers will not address a major practical security concern.

>Users can choose an open source keyboard on Android

Then they should be made immediately aware of this in using Signal on Android. The IME issue is not going to be well-known outside the tech bubble.

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

#200

Post by crossroadsguy »

k-mcgrady wrote: post #14
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.

…and this changes that (to an extent) by allowing iOS/Mac users to have FaceTime calls with people in different ecosystems.

No it doesn’t.

Unless you expect others to be happy with an in-browser call experience while there are clearly other options available which are cross platform and superior. Yes, superior as well.

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