That's somewhat ironic, given that it's practically impossible to bring such a product to iOS via the web given Safari's lacklustre support and the inability to run alternative browser engines.
FaceTime is coming to Android and Windows via the web
251–260 of 352 posts
Re: FaceTime is coming to Android and Windows via the web
#252Earlier 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?
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.
Duo is pretty easy for the old folks on i-devices, in my experience. It's pretty much Google's FaceTime, and isn't going anywhere anytime soon.
I think it's actually a bit nicer than FaceTime.
Re: FaceTime is coming to Android and Windows via the web
#253Earlier quoted context omitted.
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.
Seriously why are Google video calls SO confusing and why do they change every year?
Duo is solid, extremely simple, and not going anywhere. But, yeah, it's been a mess.
Re: FaceTime is coming to Android and Windows via the web
#254Earlier quoted context omitted.
the web interface works pretty nicely as well. I've been using google messages and duo lately and they have been working pretty flawlessly
I’m sure it does - the technical aspects of Google’s products are fantastic. But I’ve been burned enough times now and I just assume anything interesting and new that Google makes will be rebranded / deleted / shunted into a new department in a few years for no reason. Google duo? What about Allo? Is that gchat? Is it related to hangouts? Or was that just a Google plus thing? Does that even still exist? Is duo it rel…
One can understand scepticism, but Duo isn't going anywhere. If you need a FaceTime replacement, just use Duo and put all the rest of that mess out of your mind.
Re: FaceTime is coming to Android and Windows via the web
#255Earlier quoted context omitted.
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.
Duo and WhatsApp have significantly better video quality (especially off of Wi-Fi) than FaceTime
That's certainly true of Duo in experience.
Re: FaceTime is coming to Android and Windows via the web
#256Maybe 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.
In east Asia; China uses WeChat, South Korea uses KakaoTalk, Japan, Taiwan, Thailand uses LINE
Re: FaceTime is coming to Android and Windows via the web
#257Earlier quoted context omitted.
> Is it phone-number based IDs? Or can I pick a username or get a random ID? You can use FaceTime without a phone number. Just create an Apple account, then give your contact your AppleID associated email address to add to their contact card for you and you have a working FaceTime destination.
> You can use FaceTime without a phone number. Just create an Apple account You cannot create an Apple account without providing a phone number.
Any number is usable though, it can be a landline and use automated call rather than sms.
Point is to limit false account (and I guess also having some clues about real identity in case of abuse).
Re: FaceTime is coming to Android and Windows via the web
#258Earlier quoted context omitted.
the web interface works pretty nicely as well. I've been using google messages and duo lately and they have been working pretty flawlessly
I’m sure it does - the technical aspects of Google’s products are fantastic. But I’ve been burned enough times now and I just assume anything interesting and new that Google makes will be rebranded / deleted / shunted into a new department in a few years for no reason. Google duo? What about Allo? Is that gchat? Is it related to hangouts? Or was that just a Google plus thing? Does that even still exist? Is duo it rel…
I totally agree. I also don't usually trust google to support their 'projects' in long term, but since messages and duo seem to be pre installed in android devices (I think?) I was inclined to try it out. Just hoping that messages and duo are here to stay
Re: FaceTime is coming to Android and Windows via the web
#259Does this not weaken the "E2EE" value proposition of FaceTime? If endpoints now go to any old browser then secret recordings are suddenly possible. All the downsides of a walled garden with none of the benefits.
No fancy locked down software can stop someone from just putting another camera in front of the screen to record the call.
Re: FaceTime is coming to Android and Windows via the web
#260Earlier quoted context omitted.
> We can't have facetime for android because that will remove the barrier for families to buy Android phones for their kids I might be missing something... Is there something in this that is illegal?
It seems to violate various competition laws depending on jurisdiction.
Does it? One thing going for this is that Apple is huge and iMessage has a massive amount of users. But on the other hand forcing developers to support all platforms is just not realistic.