We were pretty excited when we found out that FaceTime-over-cellular was coming in iOS 6. Finally, users would be able to natively video chat away from Wi-Fi networks (without jailbreaking).
Needless to say, our excitement dropped off yesterday when we found out that there's a chance that AT&T is going to charge users separately for the feature, the way it does for mobile hotspot...
This video showcases the new pop-up dialogue box that interrupts you when trying to enable FaceTime over cellular in iOS 6 beta 3.
Apparently, AT&T has a scheme in the works to pry more dollars from their iPhone customers. As Cody noted via Twitter, perhaps they're thinking about rebounding after taking a hit on text messaging fees due to iMessage.
Take a look inside as we demonstrate the differences between an AT&T iPhone 4S, and a Verizon iPad 3, when attempting to enable FaceTime over cellular...
It almost seems unthinkable, but there is a strong possibility that AT&T might charge to enable FaceTime over cellular capability in iOS 6. 9to5 Mac posted a screenshot that shows a dialogue box prompting the end user to contact AT&T in order to enable FaceTime over cellular. This is indicative that AT&T could perhaps plan on charging customers to use this feature, despite the fact that their customers are already paying for the data.
As Mark Gurman notes, this is highly similar to the process that users go through to enable the Personal Hotspot feature on the iPhone. Of course, we can't say for sure whether or not this "feature" will make the final GM version of iOS 6, but I'd say it's possible judging from the screenshot provided from the iOS 6 beta.
The question is this: Is AT&T brave enough to actually go through with this, further alienating an already highly pessimistic user base? I can smell the backlash already...
It's been an unusually eventful Sunday evening here at iDB. Earlier, The New York Times ran a report on the rumored "iPad Mini," and now a new photo of purported next-gen iPhone components has surfaced.
The image you see above is a pair of iPhone fronts, supposedly from Apple's next smartphone. And like the front panels we saw back in May, they depict a relocated FaceTime camera and an elongated display...
During its WWDC keynote yesterday, Apple announced that the latest version of their mobile operating system, iOS 6, would finally include the ability to make FaceTime calls over cellular networks.
Considering that this feature has been restricted to Wi-Fi connections since it was introduced in 2010, this was a pretty big deal. But it could end up causing major problems for capped data users...
Among the big announcements that were expected is some improvements to FaceTime. During today's WWDC event, Apple senior vice president of iOS Software Scott Forstall announced that FaceTime will finally allow for calls over cellular network.
That means you are no more tied to your wifi network to have a FaceTime conversation with someone...
With the LinkedIn privacy scare and Google's 3D maps taking over news today, we've seen little updates concerning Apple's upcoming iPhone. Enter KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who argues in today's note to clients that the next iPhone will use back and front cameras re-engineered with thinness in mind.
And if you're new to iPhoneography, you're probably thinking that a higher-resolution CMOS sensor is also in the cards. Not so fast...
AppleInsider points to a new research note today from KGI's Mingchi Kuo, an analyst it says is "known for having sources deep within Apple's supply chain." The note claims that Apple's next smartphone could feature a new HD-capable front-facing camera.
The high resolution shooter, which would be a significant upgrade from the current VGA sensor used in the iPhone 4S, would allow users to make higher-quality FaceTime calls, and, according to Kuo, will be repositioned to the center of the handset...
Another day, another leak. This one comes vi a Japanese blog with a somewhat mixed, albeit strong track record of Apple rumor reporting. The site published this morning an image that appears to be design schematic of the front panel of Apple's next iPhone. It appears to corroborate previous leaks, also suggesting a slight FaceTime camera tweak...
While folks in the jailbreak community have been able to make FaceTime calls on cellular networks for quite some time now, others haven't been so lucky. Since it debuted in 2010, the video calling feature has remained Wi-Fi-only.
Today, however, evidence has surfaced that suggests Apple is testing a FaceTime over 3G option. The folks over at iDevice posted the above screenshot, which was taken from an error message pulled out of iOS 5.1.1...
Even though it's been around for a couple of years now, FaceTime has really struggled to gain massive user adoption. Mac and iOS owners just aren't using it as much as you think they would for a free, no-hassle video-calling service.
One of the main reasons for its stumbles is the fact that iOS devices have not been able to make FaceTime calls outside of Wi-Fi networks (unless you're jailbroken obviously). And it doesn't look like that's going to change with the new iPad...
Mac users may remember Apple's iSight branding for its standalone and built-in webcams. However in recent years, Apple hasn't used the appellation, replacing it with the FaceTime branding. But bringing the term back, iSight was reintroduced during yesterday's iPad announcement. Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing Phil Schiller showed off the new iPad's camera, which was given the name iSight.
As noted by MacRumors, Apple has also extended the iSight name to the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S's rear camera...