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Posts tagged with "facetime"

iPhone Hack Enables FaceTime on Unsupported Carriers

iPhone owners who have been trying to use the device on unsupported carriers like T-Mobile in the U.S. through an unlock procedure have noticed the FaceTime functionality doesn’t work. Even if the iPhone can work on other “unofficially supported” GSM networks, FaceTime is still tied to specific carriers selected by Apple and can’t get activated by standard unlocking tools.

MiTime is an app recently updated to work with iOS 4.1 and iOS 4.2.1 that allows users to easily activate FaceTime on unsupported carriers. The app will force the iPhone to send two international SMS messages to enable FaceTime on a network that’s not officially backed by Apple.

The hack should be working with any GSM carrier and is available in Cydia. You can follow the instructions on how to install MiTime over at iPhone Download Blog.

Prediction! 200 Million FaceTime Devices in 2012

Oh, you’ve got to love analysts’ predictions on forthcoming Apple products and sales figures. Why? Because most of the times they’re just plain wrong. Still, they’re pretty fun to read so, here we go: according to Barclay’s analyst Ben Reitzes, Apple will have 200 million FaceTime-enabled devices out in 2012. Thanks to what he calls the “FaceTime networking effect”, Apple will be able to gain a terrific user base with a simple video calling system that most competitors won’t be able to replicate with their alternative video conferencing solutions. Read more

Is Skype The Biggest Threat To Apple’s FaceTime?

Last night, Skype released a major new version of their iPhone and iPod touch client. Version 3.0 of the Skype app, released just in time for New Year’s Eve, adds video calling to all iOS devices with the possibility to run the app in compatibility mode on the iPad and receive video calls on screen. The iPhone app allows you to receive and initiate video calls both on WiFi and 3G, it’s compatible with iPhone 4 / iPhone 3GS and iPod touch 4th gen and, when on 3G, consumes around 3.4 MB of data per minute. Previous tests showed that Apple’s FaceTime technology also consume 3 MB per minute. Skype 3.0 also lets you call desktop users on Mac and PC and check on their computer screens (sounds useful for remote troubleshooting or networking), requires iOS 4 and supports both portrait and landscape modes.

The latest Skype update is, put simply, a huge win for the millions of Skype users out there who have an iOS device always connected to the internet. We could argue on the 24/7 internet availability on devices like the iPod touch and the iPad WiFi, but there’s no doubt the new Skype for iOS is the closest thing Apple ever had to a FaceTime competitor. Forget the 3rd party apps in the App Store that allow video calls: this is Skype. Which leads me to consider Apple’s position in regards to this update: Skype lets you see your friends wherever you are, no matter what kind of connection you’re on. Apple, due to technology limitations or AT&T’s pressure, only lets you FaceTime on WiFi. But looking at the big picture, that’s not really what Apple should fear. Read more

FaceTime Santa Spotted At Apple Store

Ok, Apple has a thing for Santa Clause and FaceTime. They launched a new iPhone 4 commercial to promote FaceTime with a dad dressed up like Santa, and now they have put FaceTime Santas in the Apple Stores. They previously installed iPad Snow Globes to get people and customers ready for the Apple Christmas season; now it’s time for Santa to take the spot and FaceTime with his elves at the Apple Store.

Check out the video below. I usually don’t like mannequins, and that smiling Santa with an iPhone 4 kind of creeps me out.[via TiPB]

Apple Launches New iPhone 4 Ad “Under The Covers” To Promote FaceTime, Again

A few minutes ago Apple launched a new iPhone 4 commercial (available on Apple’s website and Youtube channel) to showcase, once again, the FaceTime capabilities of the device.

The commercial is called “Under The Covers” and features a kid who thinks he’s talking to Santa via FaceTime, while on the other device there’s his father dressed as Santa and calling him from their garage. It’s a pretty sweet commercial. In September, Apple launched a series of ads to showcase the iPhone’s FaceTime features in Europe; other FaceTime ads had appeared in the U.S. in July. Apple also targeted the iPhone 4’s battery life and Retina Display with commercials aired in the past months.

Check out the video below. Read more

iPad 2 Camera Lens Maker Reportedly Selected

Last week a rumor surfaced indicating that the next iPad, so far known as “iPad 2”, will sport new features such as a gyroscope, a Retina Display and USB ports. While we have our doubts about the Retina resolution and Apple willing to put USB ports in its magical tablet, we know it’s very likely that the next iteration of the iPad will get FaceTime capabilities with a front-facing camera. Apple wants FaceTime on as many devices as possible and the iPad is the most logical next step. Read more

“Random” FaceTime Calls A Bug in Apple’s System?

According to several reports surfaced on iSpazio, fscklog and Apple’s discussion boards, hundreds of iPhone, iPod Touch and Mac users received random FaceTime calls from themselves or one of their contacts in Address Book on Saturday. Most specifically, it appears that a bug triggered these FaceTime calls to go out at 6:30 PM PST, 9:30 PM EST, 2:30 AM GMT and 3:30 AM GMT +1 on Saturday, November 27th (United States) and Sunday, November 28th (Europe).

Basing on the reports from iSpazio and Apple’s forums, it seems like these random and “fake” calls (not initiated by users, coming randomly from iPhone numbers and email addresses associated to FaceTime on iPod Touches and Macs) happened on devices running iOS 4.2.1 and iOS 4.1 (both regular and jailbroken devices). FaceTime for Mac, on the other hand, is currently in beta and available for download on Apple’s website.  Read more

iPad 2: Retina Display, Lighter, Camera, Gyroscope and…USB Port?

According to a report from Chinese-language Economy Daily News also published by Digitimes, industry sources are claiming these will be the five key features Apple will add to the next generation iPad:

  • Video phone
  • Better mobility
  • USB port
  • New display technology
  • 3-axis gyroscope

Which, put simply, means: FaceTime camera, thinner and lighter device, a USB port, a Retina Display and same iPhone 4 gyroscope. Many reports have surfaced from “industry sources” close to Digitimes in the past, and with rumors of Apple ramping up production of the next generation iPad for a Q1 2011 launch it is possible that these rumors have a solid foudation. Read more

You Can Now Use FaceTime On The iPhone 3GS

As previewed earlier today, FaceIt 3GS is a new Cydia tweak developed by iPhoneIslam which allows you to have FaceTime calls on older iPhone 3GS models, even if they don’t officially support FaceTime nor do they come with a front-facing camera.

The tweak simply enables FaceTime in the Settings app and lets you use the standard 3GS camera to capture what’s around you in a video call. To install the tweak, open Cydia (your device must be jailbroken) and install the following source:

http://apps.iphoneislam.com

Hit “Add” and wait for Cydia to refresh. Then search for FaceIt 3GS and install it. Reboot your iPhone, and you’ll find the FaceTime functionality inside the Settings app, just like on the iPhone 4 or the latest iPod Touch. Insert your number, wait for activation and your device will be ready to go.

iPhoneIslam demoes the tweak in action in the video below. iPhone 3GS owners and jailbreakers, you know what to do.