The iPhone 4 heralded the arrival of “Face Time”. But what exactly is “FaceTime” and what does it do?
Apple defines Face Time as:
“Phone calls like you’ve never seen before. People have been dreaming about video calling for decades. iPhone 4 makes it a reality. With the tab of a button, you can wave hello to your kids, share a smile from across the glove, or watch your best friend laugh at your stories.”
Currently Face Time only is compatible with the iPhone 4 and Face Time calls are only able to be made between two iPhone 4 models that are both using a Wi-Fi connection. However Apple states that Face Time is an open standard so third parties are able make Compatible-compatible devices. Making Face Time calls over 3G or Next G is not currently possible.
Face Time is video calling you are able to see and hear the other person you are speaking with and they are able to see and hear you. Video calls are not unique to the iPhone 4 other 3G mobile phones have provided this feature on mobile devices for quite some time. This allows you to not only hear the other person you are speaking with but also to see them during you conversation.
Apple has made Face Time easy to use. You are able to switch to Face Time during a normal mobile call. With Face Time on the iPhone 4 you can use the front facing camera so the other person can see you or by using the rear-facing camera to show something you are viewing such as the view of a storm blowing in from the ocean or some action from a football match.
Face Time works best when both callers have strong fast Wi-Fi connections. As Face Time evolves and more devices are supported Face Time could enhance communication for lots of people.
Making a Face Time call using you iPhone 4
- Select the Phone icon from the homescreen
- Select a contact you wish to call
- Select the FaceTime icon (video camera picture)
- Once the person you are calling accepts the FaceTime invitation, the video call will begin
Switching between the front and back camera during a FaceTime call
- Begin a Face Time call using the above steps
- Tap the switch camera icon located on the bottom right hand side of your screen
- The camera view will switch to using the rear-mounted camera