How Does FaceTime Work?

#1

Post by r4um » Thu, Aug 19, 2021, 5:54 AM UTC

Re: How Does FaceTime Work?

#2

Post by nerdbaggy » Fri, Aug 20, 2021, 1:01 PM UTC

Here is a good write up on how the WebRTC implementation works for their new browser based calls. https://webrtchacks.com/facetime-finally-faces-webrtc-implem...

Re: How Does FaceTime Work?

#3

Post by sgt » Fri, Aug 20, 2021, 1:26 PM UTC

FaceTime is amazing. I keep in touch with my entire family using FaceTime video, often across thousands of kilometers.

It's also such an equalizer, allowing even the non-computer literate to use it and focus on the actual conversations.

In fact, my 103 year old grandmother is able to do video calls with me, which is great because I rarely see her in person these days. I don't think there exists an alternative she would be able to use.

Re: How Does FaceTime Work?

#4

Post by comandillos » Fri, Aug 20, 2021, 1:27 PM UTC

Telegram also provides this service quality, its available on all platforms and its free.

Re: How Does FaceTime Work?

#5

Post by rubyist5eva » Fri, Aug 20, 2021, 1:29 PM UTC

comandillos wrote: post #4

Telegram also provides this service quality, its available on all platforms and its free.

I use both, and prefer facetime when I can (all people with iphones have it so barrier to entry is lower) - but Telegram is the next best thing for me.

Re: How Does FaceTime Work?

#6

Post by nizmow » Fri, Aug 20, 2021, 1:30 PM UTC

comandillos wrote: post #4

Telegram also provides this service quality, its available on all platforms and its free.

FaceTime is also free, and Telegram’s audio and video quality is vastly inferior.

Re: How Does FaceTime Work?

#7

Post by myself248 » Fri, Aug 20, 2021, 1:32 PM UTC

> They in fact do, a service called IDS or Apple Identity Service.

Reminds me of

> The four F's: fighting fleeing feeding and mating

Re: How Does FaceTime Work?

#8

Post by Jcowell » Fri, Aug 20, 2021, 1:40 PM UTC

nizmow wrote: post #6

comandillos wrote: post #4

Telegram also provides this service quality, its available on all platforms and its free.

FaceTime is also free, and Telegram’s audio and video quality is vastly inferior.

Not to mention has less friction

Re: How Does FaceTime Work?

#9

Post by EForEndeavour » Fri, Aug 20, 2021, 1:42 PM UTC

nizmow wrote: post #6

comandillos wrote: post #4

Telegram also provides this service quality, its available on all platforms and its free.

FaceTime is also free, and Telegram’s audio and video quality is vastly inferior.

FaceTime is a free part of Apple's software offerings, but you can't start a FaceTime call if you aren't an Apple user.

Re: How Does FaceTime Work?

#10

Post by imagine99 » Fri, Aug 20, 2021, 1:44 PM UTC

Can anyone recommend a similar service that provides true high-quality video chat functionality on par with FaceTime but not requiring Apple hardware (but still easily usable on mobile)?

We're looking for such a service for use in developing countries where iPhones are rare and connectivity is often mediocre at best.

Tests with the like of Telegram, Duo and others have been okay-ish for voice-only calls but pretty bad for video. Mostly because of lack of Apple hardware on the other end we are until now unable to conduct any comparative tests to see whether FaceTime would outperform these apps in terms of quality and stability.