Rumor: FaceTime on the way for iChat and Windows

Ever since the FaceTime announcement as an 'open platform,' the question's been hanging over us: when do we expect desktop support for the new videoconferencing approach? "Soon," is what French website Mac4ever is reporting today. They have a pretty good track record, so the prediction is worth noting.

The article says Apple will soon release a version of iChat that will allow Apple desktop and laptop owners to video chat to iOS devices with FaceTime. Further, the speculation is that Apple will do the same thing for Windows users wanting to talk to FaceTime users either on Macs or iPhones.

Apple has stated that it expects to see FaceTime protocols widely used. If the rumor is correct, that goal should be well on the way to being fulfilled. I can't wait.

[via 9to5Mac]

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Source: http://www.mac4ever.com/news/57279/rumeurs_du_vendredi_ilife…

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Ever since the FaceTime announcement as an 'open platform,' the question's been hanging over us: when do we expect desktop support for the...

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Jabourasaurus

I'm saying this purely as someone who has yet to use FaceTime or get an iPhone, but one of the biggest attractions of FaceTime to me is the fact that I've been told numerous times that there's not the traditional weird lack of eye contact during it like other video chatting services, due to the fact that the camera and the screen are so close together.

Adding in the desktop element, while awesome, feels like it would detract from that uniqueness it has somehow. But again, I haven't even used it yet.

September 12 2010 at 9:32 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Michael

Wi-Fi only is still a serious limitation in real world use. At least to the phone conversation. I hope they will add 3G ability soon that isn't a total mess.

September 11 2010 at 9:01 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Bill Waggoner

Facetime is probably the most interesting feature of the iPhone 4 for me. And if I could chat from my phone to a laptop or desktop that would be even better. Hmmm, tie that in with Google Voice or the like and I could call my wife and connect whether she was sitting at her laptop or out and about on the phone ... or maybe it will already do that once the desktop capability is available?

September 10 2010 at 4:51 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

chris102192

Finally!!! this should have been the way it was when FaceTime was first announced!

September 10 2010 at 4:36 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply