iPhone 4 Redefines "FaceTime"

[Michael Essany]

Steve Jobs had "one more thing" for us all today at Apple's 2010 WWDC. As we all sort of expected but were thrilled to see confirmed nonetheless, the 4th generation iPhone will deliver video chat capabilities. Although the widely anticipated name - iChat - won't be utilized, "FaceTime" provides the same, much-anticipated functionality - the ability to place and receive video phone calls.

"The video and audio quality is great," said Jobs, demonstrating the impressive look and sound to the video chat function on the iPhone 4. Broadcasting to the live audience a Sam Mendes-directed commercial that will likely have millions in tears before it's all said and done, the video chat component is depicted helping a hearing-impaired man communicate with his family through the new iPhone. Punctuating the emotion of the video, Steve Jobs noted that "this is one of the moments that reminds us of why we do what we do."

Not surprisingly, however, with the burdensome data demands already incumbent upon the AT&T cellular network, FaceTime will first be available as WiFi-only. As it stands, expect this limitation to remain in effect for the duration of 2010. Jobs observed, to a response of audible chuckles from the crowd, that they have to “work a little bit” with carriers in order to get 3G video calling enabled. Luckily, there is no set-up and it appears both the front and backside cameras will be functional during chats.

[Poseidon79]

Jailbreak this baby and give me Face Time over 3G on the go!

[hitman10]

Cool.

[dq13]

3G Unrestrictor !!!

[battlecrushr]

Jailbreak this baby and give me Face Time over 3G on the go!

+1

[LuisAKANewt]

lmao the jailbreak for the iphone 4g is just around the corner!!!

[decke]

Awsome! Now I gotta make friends that'll have iPhone 4

[PRKnight]

Hopefully it will be able to video chat with mac users using ichat or use skype or ooVoo to communicate with other video conference computers and not just limit iphone to iphone

[Happy Noodle Boy]

I honestly like that it's wifi only. I sure as hell not going to be video calling on the go. That's just a recipe for bad news.

Then again, I still find the idea of video calling to be horribly gimmicky so I doubt I'll be using it at all.

Last thing I want is a video call in the early morning where I look like a zombie.

[confucious]

The first phone I had with Video calling over 3G was 7 years ago - Apple can't manage it yet?
If you're at home can't you just use Live messenger or iChat?
When I'm out I could just dig out one of my old phones that has 3G video calling....

[LuisAKANewt]

lmao the jailbreak for the iphone 4g is just around the corner!!!

[extremzocker]

apple manages to make old things sound like new so they sell like crazy. if this wasnt the iPhone no one would care about video chat.

[Lewnsy78]

Jailbreak this baby and give me Face Time over 3G on the go!

A tweet from musclenerd said this is the first excuse to jailbreak the new iOS 4 to trick the phone to use 3G instead of wifi.

Cant wait for all the new developments to come in the jailbreaking community.

[iRoach74]

So FaceTime is only going to be for video calls? no sort of ichat feature or anything?

[steve-z17]

Apple does it again!

[Eagleye]

3G Unrestrictor for sure. I dont think it will be long before Skype/iChat features come. Theres no way apple will restrict Skype from wifi video calling... cause well, thats just mean.

And seriously...?? FaceTime? WTF? What was wrong with iChat?

[MetallicaFan1991]

I will never use the feature as not everyone will have an iPhone 4 unless it was made capable to use it to chat with other phones that have video calling.

[Happy Noodle Boy]

Guys. jobs made it clear the whole video-callng will be an open standard aka other apps/services will be able to interact with it.

[santaf]

apple manages to make old things sound like new so they sell like crazy. if this wasnt the iPhone no one would care about video chat.

LMAO so true that made me laugh haha I'm looking at their video on their website you know those really cheesy ones and i just keep thinking of this comment and it is making me laugh

[saunupe1911]

A tweet from musclenerd said this is the first excuse to jailbreak the new iOS 4 to trick the phone to use 3G instead of wifi.

Cant wait for all the new developments to come in the jailbreaking community.

Dang, I just thought about that. I've been seriously debating getting this or HTC EVO that I demoed at Best Buy. The EVO truly is amazing but the idea of jail-braking an iPhone 4 is mind blowing. I amaze my friends and family all the time at the capabilities of my jailbroken iPhone 3G. Jailbraking an apple (i) device tripples its value in my opinion. I don't get into the marketing hype surrounding smart phones. I will switch to Android when the OS mature and get great development network like the iOS 4