iOS 5.1.1 Warning Hints at FaceTime with 3G Support

[Akshay Masand]

Warnings recently found in the latest version of iOS are suggesting that Apple’s plans to bring support for 3G wireless data connections to its FaceTime video chat feature.

Basically, when a FaceTime call is active over Wi-Fi on an iPhone running on iOS 5.1.1 and a user turns off the “Enable 3G” option in the Settings, the operating system presents the user with a warning message that states: “Disabling 3G may end FaceTime. Are you sure you want to disable 3G?” The message was first noticed by the folks over at the Romanian Apple blog, iDevice and despite the warning, FaceTime video calls will continue over Wi-Fi uninterrupted even after 3G has been turned off or on. This suggests that Apple may possible be looking to bring 3G support to FaceTime.

We knew that FaceTime can work over 3G if you downloaded the right file but this new error in 5.1.1 is the one that clearly makes mention of 3G. As of right now, we don’t know if we are testing things or if the carriers would even allow it and if so, how. We’ll have to patiently wait to see if this turns out to be true or if this is just erroneous information.

Source: iDevice

[PokemonDesigner]

Sweet! Can't wait!

[fklentz]

Of course they want us to use it, they want us to use lot's of data. And they will make us pay for it dearly.

[oMarvelous]

This feature was actually available when FaceTime came out, it's called 3G unrestrictor or my3G

[celeron]

Good for non jailbroken devices

[sziklassy]

Now we just need facetime without the video feature. Why? Essentially VOIP without using cellular minutes.

This feature was actually available when FaceTime came out, it's called 3G unrestrictor or my3G

It's ALWAYS nice to see Apple removing restrictions. 3G unrestrictor also costs money. This does not.

[bjbinc]

This would be nice if unlimited data plans weren't going extinct

[scroogelives]

May make it more of a usable feature on non jailbroken iPhones! Or for people to tight to pay for the tweaks that allowed this!

[dustin942000]

This would be nice if unlimited data plans weren't going extinct

I know right they made me get off mine when I switched from my grandmothers plan to my fathers plan :/ I wasn't very thrilled about this news but with all of the throttling I guess it doesn't matter. I'm just waiting for Internet companies to start screwing us over

[i.Annie]

With my phones always jailbroken, I forget what features do or don't exist on stock iOS. It's nice to see Apple is finally implementing something that had been accomplished via JB long ago, but like everyone else said it sucks bc carriers have eliminated unlimited data plans. I can only imagine how many people without unlimited data will avoid using FaceTime over 3G.

[hank197857]

facetime has been available over 3g for years. it's called yahoo

[confucious]

I made my first video call in 2003 - my second in about 2006 and then again when Facetime first came out.

I might make another one in a few years.

[towboattrash34]

Like everyone had picture mail for years before AT&T would let the iPhone have it.

[confucious]

MMS is quite useful - bit video calling is not something I am interested in.
But Apple do wait and get things right.

[buggsy2]

Now we just need facetime without the video feature. Why? Essentially VOIP without using cellular minutes..

Hear, hear!

+1

[TheDirtyDiddler]

Pointless. One video call and you're over your data cap. I have "unlimited" and I can't go over 3gb or I get throttled. There is no way to win. Now, I they counted it as cellular minutes instead, they'd get big points. It'll never happen though.

[Orby]

Now that unlimited data plans are a little less rare than unicorns or empty taxicabs on a rainy Friday night in New York City, this might actually happen. The carriers would easily recoup their added costs in overages. Either that, or Apple just updated their error message to reflect the possibility that official FaceTime over 3G might happen somewhere, someday.

[i.Annie]

Pointless. One video call and you're over your data cap. I have "unlimited" and I can't go over 3gb or I get throttled. There is no way to win. Now, I they counted it as cellular minutes instead, they'd get big points. It'll never happen though.

At least you get some sort of usage before you get throttled. Verizon throttles anyone at any time evidently. I can just barely start a new billing cycle and I'll be throttled. I don't know what's worse, being throttled to the point of insanity (and Verizon's speeds are pretty slow as it is without being throttled) on an unlimited data plan or freely using the data but having a cap.

[rkswat]

This feature was actually available when FaceTime came out, it's called 3G unrestrictor or my3G

LoL my thoughts exactly. I have been rocking face time with 3g sense day one! Ok maybe day two.

It's ALWAYS nice to see Apple removing restrictions. 3G unrestrictor also costs money. This does not.

I always find these statements funny..... Haveing a $700 phone and worrying about paying $3.99 for an app is funny to me. IF $3.99 is going to set you back then maybe the iPhone isn't the phone for you.

It's cool that apple is again stealing ideas from the jailbreaking community though. Free R&D by those that are jailbroken and then implement!

[hank197857]

this is ridiculous. cellular companies are definitely not losing money, and they aren't afraid of infrastructure limitations. there are no limitations! new networks can always be built. they could, however, extend profits by cutting back on advertising. there hasn't been a good cellular commercial since "can you hear me now?"