Browsing: iphone

The ability to do FaceTime calls has been available for about half a year now and was applauded when announced together with the new iPhone 4 at WWDC back in June. As time has gone by however, I have myself only used this feature once and that as a test to see if it actually worked as promised, right after getting my phone.

This leads me to ask the question, “Why am I not using FaceTime much?”. After all, this is a good service with a stunning UI even though it has a few quirks in it. When I sit down and think about this, I come up with two answers.

1. First it is the entire idea about video calls. Being a teenager (allbeit, with only a year and a quarter left until 20), I should be the right person to judge this. I am not though. To start with, I do not call people that much, neither do I text people a whole lot. When I do it is usually not for the sole purpose of general socializing.I have never been to keen on the video chat idea. For some situations it is lovely. When it comes to meetings or get-togethers that you are able to have over the entire globe, the technology is just amazing. When it comes to general chatter, I just don’t like it as much. Perhaps it is because I am that used to instant messaging systems (where I also do not use video chat) and sitting in whatever outfit that suits me at any given moment. Showing yourself on video needs preparation and making yourself look presentable.
2. Secondly FaceTime is only available through WiFi networks. This is truly the only major factor that keeps FaceTime from getting big. If I could call anyone in the world from anywhere in the world, whenever, I would be much more likely to use FaceTime for many more calls. As it stands now there is a certain hassle connected with making sure you are on a good WiFi connection and then arranging the call (again, whenever you know you are going to be on WiFi).

Then of course there is the fact that you don’t look that flattering when a camera is stuck under your head pointed right up…

Anyhow, those are my ideas on why FaceTime is not gaining the traction it probably should be and why we are not hearing much about it. Now I am interesting in knowing if you use FaceTime much, a little or never and what your reasons are!