FaceTime
Encyclopedia
FaceTime is a video calling
software application and related protocol developed by Apple for supported mobile devices running the iOS
, in addition to Macintosh computers running Mac OS X 10.6.6 and higher. FaceTime is supported on any iOS device with a forward-facing camera (that is, all iOS devices released since the iPhone 4) and on any Macintosh
computer equipped with a FaceTime Camera (formerly known as an iSight
Camera).
at his keynote speech
on June 7, 2010 at the WWDC 2010 in conjunction with the iPhone 4
. Support for the fourth-generation iPod Touch
, the first iPod Touch to be equipped with cameras, was announced in conjunction with this device's release on September 8, 2010.
The "FaceTime" name was purchased by Apple from FaceTime Communications, who changed their name to Actiance
, Inc.
FaceTime for Mac OS X was announced on October 20, 2010 at the "Back to the Mac" Media event on the Apple Campus.
On February 24, 2011, FaceTime left beta and was listed in the Mac App Store
for $
0.99 (£
0.69). Apple claims that it intended to provide the application free of charge, but was prohibited by the Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002 from providing an unadvertised new feature of an already sold product without enduring 'onerous accounting measures'. However, the free beta is still available for download from the Apple servers. It is, however, included for free in Mac OS X Lion
.
On March 2, 2011, FaceTime support was announced for the newly-introduced iPad 2
, which gained forward- and rear-facing cameras.
or newer iPhone, a fourth generation iPod touch
, a second generation iPad
, or a computer with Mac OS X
to another similar device; the previous generations of iPhone
, iPod Touch
, and iPad are not currently supported. FaceTime is not compatible with non-Apple devices or any other video calling services. The early 2011 revision of the MacBook Pro introduced high-definition FaceTime which may only be used with devices that have a HD FaceTime camera.
On the iPhone, FaceTime works in the Phone application
instead of being a separate application. It can be activated when in the Phone application by placing a call, and pressing the FaceTime button. The FaceTime button replaced the Hold
button (which is now available by pressing and holding the Mute button). The icon resembles a camcorder. It is also possible to initiate a FaceTime call directly from a contact file.
While the current FaceTime implementation for the iPhone does not officially support FaceTime calls over 3G
(UMTS/HSPA
), there are 3rd party applications that enable this capability for jailbroken devices.
FaceTime over 3G can only be achieved by using third-party software programs for jailbroken iOS, such as FaceBreak, 3G Unrestrictor or My3G, which fool the phone into believing that it is connected via Wi-Fi. These programs are only available on jailbroken iPhones via the Cydia
Store. At the moment there are no free of charge solutions to unrestrict FaceTime. FaceTime uses about three megabytes of data per minute of conversation. However, cellular talk time/minutes aren't used after switching from a voice call to a FaceTime call.
FaceTime on first generation iPad is also possible by porting the FaceTime application for the iPod touch 4th gen to iPad.
iOS 4.1 (or above) and FaceTime for Mac, iPhone 4, and iPod Touch (4th Generation) supports the use of an Apple ID
email address to initiate a FaceTime call. The two parties would need two different Apple IDs to initiate a FaceTime call, although multiple IDs can reside under a single iTunes account.
FaceTime is based on numerous technologies:
Upon the launch of the iPhone 4, Jobs promised that Apple would immediately start working with standards bodies to make the FaceTime protocol an "open standard." , it is not yet known to have been ratified by any standards body, and the extent of work by Apple with regard to this promise is unclear as Apple has not released technical specifications for the service. FaceTime is not currently supported on any non-Apple devices.
While FaceTime is based on open standards, Apple's FaceTime service requires a client-side certificate. I.e. while the protocol might become an "open standard", access to Apple's FaceTime service is controlled by Apple.
possibly due to regulations in this country which restrict the use of IP-based communications technology. Devices bought elsewhere continue to support FaceTime even in this country.
Although Egypt
, Jordan
, Saudi Arabia
, & Kuwait
used to disable FaceTime on the iPhone 4, they are re-enabling the feature back through a carrier update for existing phone owners and made it pre-enabled on any newly purchased iPhone 4.
Videotelephony
Videotelephony comprises the technologies for the reception and transmission of audio-video signals by users at different locations, for communication between people in real-time....
software application and related protocol developed by Apple for supported mobile devices running the iOS
IOS
iOS is an operating system for iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, and Apple TV.IOS may also refer to:-Companies and organisations:* Illinois Ornithological Society, American state-based bird club...
, in addition to Macintosh computers running Mac OS X 10.6.6 and higher. FaceTime is supported on any iOS device with a forward-facing camera (that is, all iOS devices released since the iPhone 4) and on any Macintosh
Macintosh
The Macintosh , or Mac, is a series of several lines of personal computers designed, developed, and marketed by Apple Inc. The first Macintosh was introduced by Apple's then-chairman Steve Jobs on January 24, 1984; it was the first commercially successful personal computer to feature a mouse and a...
computer equipped with a FaceTime Camera (formerly known as an iSight
ISight
iSight is a webcam, both external and internal, developed and marketed by Apple Inc. The external iSight was sold retail for US$149, connected to a computer via a FireWire cable, and came with a set of mounts to place it atop any then-current Apple display, laptop computer, all-in-one desktop...
Camera).
History
FaceTime was announced by then Apple CEO Steve JobsSteve Jobs
Steven Paul Jobs was an American businessman and inventor widely recognized as a charismatic pioneer of the personal computer revolution. He was co-founder, chairman, and chief executive officer of Apple Inc...
at his keynote speech
Stevenote
"Stevenote" is a colloquial term for the keynote speeches given by former Apple CEO Steve Jobs at events such as the Worldwide Developers Conference and previously the Macworld and Apple Expos. Jobs' vibrant speaking style and manner of exciting the crowd was often referred to as inducing a...
on June 7, 2010 at the WWDC 2010 in conjunction with the iPhone 4
IPhone 4
The iPhone 4 is a touchscreen slate smartphone developed by Apple Inc. It is the fourth generation iPhone, and successor to the iPhone 3GS. It is particularly marketed for video calling , consumption of media such as books and periodicals, movies, music, and games, and for general web and e-mail...
. Support for the fourth-generation iPod Touch
IPod Touch
The iPod Touch is a portable media player, personal digital assistant, handheld game console, and Wi-Fi mobile device designed and marketed by Apple Inc. The iPod Touch adds the multi-touch graphical user interface to the iPod line...
, the first iPod Touch to be equipped with cameras, was announced in conjunction with this device's release on September 8, 2010.
The "FaceTime" name was purchased by Apple from FaceTime Communications, who changed their name to Actiance
Actiance
Actiance Inc is an American based multinational corporation that develops the platforms required to enable the security, management and compliance of unified communications, Web 2.0 and social media channels...
, Inc.
FaceTime for Mac OS X was announced on October 20, 2010 at the "Back to the Mac" Media event on the Apple Campus.
On February 24, 2011, FaceTime left beta and was listed in the Mac App Store
Mac App Store
The Mac App Store is a digital distribution platform for Mac OS X applications developed by Apple Inc.. The platform was announced on October 20, 2010 at Apple's "Back to the Mac" event. Apple began accepting app submissions from registered developers on November 3, 2010 in preparation for its launch...
for $
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
0.99 (£
Pound sterling
The pound sterling , commonly called the pound, is the official currency of the United Kingdom, its Crown Dependencies and the British Overseas Territories of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, British Antarctic Territory and Tristan da Cunha. It is subdivided into 100 pence...
0.69). Apple claims that it intended to provide the application free of charge, but was prohibited by the Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002 from providing an unadvertised new feature of an already sold product without enduring 'onerous accounting measures'. However, the free beta is still available for download from the Apple servers. It is, however, included for free in Mac OS X Lion
Mac OS X Lion
Mac OS X Lion is the eighth and current major release of Mac OS X, Apple's desktop and server operating system for Macintosh computers....
.
On March 2, 2011, FaceTime support was announced for the newly-introduced iPad 2
IPad
The iPad is a line of tablet computers designed, developed and marketed by Apple Inc., primarily as a platform for audio-visual media including books, periodicals, movies, music, games, and web content. The iPad was introduced on January 27, 2010 by Apple's then-CEO Steve Jobs. Its size and...
, which gained forward- and rear-facing cameras.
Implementation
FaceTime works by connecting an iPhone 4IPhone 4
The iPhone 4 is a touchscreen slate smartphone developed by Apple Inc. It is the fourth generation iPhone, and successor to the iPhone 3GS. It is particularly marketed for video calling , consumption of media such as books and periodicals, movies, music, and games, and for general web and e-mail...
or newer iPhone, a fourth generation iPod touch
IPod touch
The iPod Touch is a portable media player, personal digital assistant, handheld game console, and Wi-Fi mobile device designed and marketed by Apple Inc. The iPod Touch adds the multi-touch graphical user interface to the iPod line...
, a second generation iPad
IPad
The iPad is a line of tablet computers designed, developed and marketed by Apple Inc., primarily as a platform for audio-visual media including books, periodicals, movies, music, games, and web content. The iPad was introduced on January 27, 2010 by Apple's then-CEO Steve Jobs. Its size and...
, or a computer with Mac OS X
Mac OS X
Mac OS X is a series of Unix-based operating systems and graphical user interfaces developed, marketed, and sold by Apple Inc. Since 2002, has been included with all new Macintosh computer systems...
to another similar device; the previous generations of iPhone
IPhone
The iPhone is a line of Internet and multimedia-enabled smartphones marketed by Apple Inc. The first iPhone was unveiled by Steve Jobs, then CEO of Apple, on January 9, 2007, and released on June 29, 2007...
, iPod Touch
IPod Touch
The iPod Touch is a portable media player, personal digital assistant, handheld game console, and Wi-Fi mobile device designed and marketed by Apple Inc. The iPod Touch adds the multi-touch graphical user interface to the iPod line...
, and iPad are not currently supported. FaceTime is not compatible with non-Apple devices or any other video calling services. The early 2011 revision of the MacBook Pro introduced high-definition FaceTime which may only be used with devices that have a HD FaceTime camera.
On the iPhone, FaceTime works in the Phone application
Application software
Application software, also known as an application or an "app", is computer software designed to help the user to perform specific tasks. Examples include enterprise software, accounting software, office suites, graphics software and media players. Many application programs deal principally with...
instead of being a separate application. It can be activated when in the Phone application by placing a call, and pressing the FaceTime button. The FaceTime button replaced the Hold
Hold (telephone)
In telephony, a call may be placed on hold, in which case the connection is not terminated but no verbal communication is possible until the call is removed from hold by the same or another extension on the key telephone system. Music on hold or On Hold Messaging may be played for the caller while...
button (which is now available by pressing and holding the Mute button). The icon resembles a camcorder. It is also possible to initiate a FaceTime call directly from a contact file.
While the current FaceTime implementation for the iPhone does not officially support FaceTime calls over 3G
3G
3G or 3rd generation mobile telecommunications is a generation of standards for mobile phones and mobile telecommunication services fulfilling the International Mobile Telecommunications-2000 specifications by the International Telecommunication Union...
(UMTS/HSPA
High Speed Packet Access
High Speed Packet Access is an amalgamation of two mobile telephony protocols, High Speed Downlink Packet Access and High Speed Uplink Packet Access , that extends and improves the performance of existing WCDMA protocols...
), there are 3rd party applications that enable this capability for jailbroken devices.
FaceTime over 3G can only be achieved by using third-party software programs for jailbroken iOS, such as FaceBreak, 3G Unrestrictor or My3G, which fool the phone into believing that it is connected via Wi-Fi. These programs are only available on jailbroken iPhones via the Cydia
Cydia
Cydia is a large genus of tortrix moths, belonging to the tribe Grapholitini of subfamily Olethreutinae. Its distinctness from and delimitation versus the tribe's type genus Grapholita requires further study....
Store. At the moment there are no free of charge solutions to unrestrict FaceTime. FaceTime uses about three megabytes of data per minute of conversation. However, cellular talk time/minutes aren't used after switching from a voice call to a FaceTime call.
FaceTime on first generation iPad is also possible by porting the FaceTime application for the iPod touch 4th gen to iPad.
iOS 4.1 (or above) and FaceTime for Mac, iPhone 4, and iPod Touch (4th Generation) supports the use of an Apple ID
Apple ID
Apple ID is an authentication system that Apple Inc. introduced for many of its products, such as iWork, the iTunes Store and the Apple Store. Apple ID serves as an all-in-one account that allows users access to a variety of Apple’s resources...
email address to initiate a FaceTime call. The two parties would need two different Apple IDs to initiate a FaceTime call, although multiple IDs can reside under a single iTunes account.
Standards
The FaceTime protocol is partly based on numerous open industry standards.FaceTime is based on numerous technologies:
- H.264 and AACAdvanced Audio CodingAdvanced Audio Coding is a standardized, lossy compression and encoding scheme for digital audio. Designed to be the successor of the MP3 format, AAC generally achieves better sound quality than MP3 at similar bit rates....
– video and audio codecCodecA codec is a device or computer program capable of encoding or decoding a digital data stream or signal. The word codec is a portmanteau of "compressor-decompressor" or, more commonly, "coder-decoder"...
s respectively - SIPSession Initiation ProtocolThe Session Initiation Protocol is an IETF-defined signaling protocol widely used for controlling communication sessions such as voice and video calls over Internet Protocol . The protocol can be used for creating, modifying and terminating two-party or multiparty sessions...
– IETF signaling protocol for VoIP - STUN, TURNTraversal Using Relay NATTraversal Using Relays around NAT is a protocol that allows for an element behind a Network address translator or firewall to receive incoming data over TCP or UDP connections. It is most useful for elements behind symmetric NATs or firewalls that wish to be on the receiving end of a connection...
and ICEInteractive Connectivity EstablishmentInteractive Connectivity Establishment is a technique used in computer networking involving network address translators in Internet applications of Voice over Internet Protocol , peer-to-peer communications, video, instant messaging and other interactive media...
– IETF technologies for traversing firewallsFirewall (computing)A firewall is a device or set of devices designed to permit or deny network transmissions based upon a set of rules and is frequently used to protect networks from unauthorized access while permitting legitimate communications to pass....
and NATNetwork address translationIn computer networking, network address translation is the process of modifying IP address information in IP packet headers while in transit across a traffic routing device.... - RTPReal-time Transport ProtocolThe Real-time Transport Protocol defines a standardized packet format for delivering audio and video over IP networks. RTP is used extensively in communication and entertainment systems that involve streaming media, such as telephony, video teleconference applications, television services and...
and SRTPSecure Real-time Transport ProtocolThe Secure Real-time Transport Protocol defines a profile of RTP , intended to provide encryption, message authentication and integrity, and replay protection to the RTP data in both unicast and multicast applications...
– IETF standards for delivering real-time and encrypted media streams for VoIP
Upon the launch of the iPhone 4, Jobs promised that Apple would immediately start working with standards bodies to make the FaceTime protocol an "open standard." , it is not yet known to have been ratified by any standards body, and the extent of work by Apple with regard to this promise is unclear as Apple has not released technical specifications for the service. FaceTime is not currently supported on any non-Apple devices.
While FaceTime is based on open standards, Apple's FaceTime service requires a client-side certificate. I.e. while the protocol might become an "open standard", access to Apple's FaceTime service is controlled by Apple.
Limited availability
, FaceTime is not enabled on devices bought in United Arab EmiratesUnited Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates, abbreviated as the UAE, or shortened to "the Emirates", is a state situated in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia on the Persian Gulf, bordering Oman, and Saudi Arabia, and sharing sea borders with Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Iran.The UAE is a...
possibly due to regulations in this country which restrict the use of IP-based communications technology. Devices bought elsewhere continue to support FaceTime even in this country.
Although Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
, Jordan
Jordan
Jordan , officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan , Al-Mamlaka al-Urduniyya al-Hashemiyya) is a kingdom on the East Bank of the River Jordan. The country borders Saudi Arabia to the east and south-east, Iraq to the north-east, Syria to the north and the West Bank and Israel to the west, sharing...
, Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia , commonly known in British English as Saudi Arabia and in Arabic as as-Sa‘ūdiyyah , is the largest state in Western Asia by land area, constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and the second-largest in the Arab World...
, & Kuwait
Kuwait
The State of Kuwait is a sovereign Arab state situated in the north-east of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south at Khafji, and Iraq to the north at Basra. It lies on the north-western shore of the Persian Gulf. The name Kuwait is derived from the...
used to disable FaceTime on the iPhone 4, they are re-enabling the feature back through a carrier update for existing phone owners and made it pre-enabled on any newly purchased iPhone 4.