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AT&T Taken to Task Over FaceTime Blocking

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Does anyone actually use Facetime?

T Bone

Sep 18, 2012, 9:36 AM
If so...why? Why use a closed, nonstandard platform which only works on Apple hardware when you can use Skype which is 100% open and works on any hardware? To use Facetime requires you to keep track of who among your friends and family uses Apple hardware...and then if they don't, you're out of luck anyway....much easier to just use Skype and then not worry about it...
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johnhr2

Sep 18, 2012, 9:41 AM
The only time I have used Facetime was when I used my iPod and facetime my wife on her iPhone to talk her while I was away, but I switch to skype once my phone charged and she could use the computer.
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keithfrombm

Sep 18, 2012, 10:28 AM
If it didn't count towards your data usage,a lot of folks would. But, to answer your question: the vast majority of smartphone owners aren't tech savvy, just trendy. They use pre-installed apps because nothing else ever occurs to them.
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undergroundgilligan

Sep 18, 2012, 1:41 PM
Exactly. Heck with some people it is hard enough to get them to remember their Apple password let alone a whole different set of login information. And since Facetime is tied with the Apple ID it becomes a no worry feature.
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T Bone

Sep 18, 2012, 2:42 PM
I honestly don't understand the appeal of video calling on a phone anyway......it's a hassle holding the phone up to your face....I'd rather use a laptop for video calling anyway...
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keithfrombm

Sep 18, 2012, 5:57 PM
If you had family across the country or further, you'd think differently I'd wager. As a trucker, I use Tango to say goodnight to my daughter. And I don't hold the phone "up to my face." (???)
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T Bone

Sep 18, 2012, 6:21 PM
What is the point of video calling if you don't use the video? Just make a normal call.
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bluecoyote

Sep 18, 2012, 11:20 AM
Has gotten exponentially more horrible each year it seems. Especially on the desktop.


I use it, but I actually use FaceTime more on WiFi. Why?

Here's the steps to initiate that first Skype call:

1) Tell the other individual you want to call them on skype
2) Have them go to the app store and download Skype
3) Have them create a Skype account
4) Open up Skype, realize there's update #5,212,021 that needs to be installed.
5) Have them add you - wait 5 minutes for it to recognize the friend request on your end
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Globhead

Sep 18, 2012, 11:34 AM
bluecoyote said:
Here's the steps to initiate that first Skype call:

1) Tell the other individual you want to call them on skype


But at least step 1 does NOT say "go buy a phone from the same manufacturer as mine".
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bluecoyote

Sep 18, 2012, 2:26 PM
Welp, I'll put it this way-

Most people who matter kind of already own an iPhone, iPad, or Mac.

You don't see too many CEOs carting around Blackberries anymore or using Dell Inspirons, and I don't ever recall someone checking their appointment calendar on a Motorola Xoom.
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srich27

Sep 19, 2012, 9:16 AM
"Most people who matter kind of already own an iPhone, iPad, or Mac. "

Wow. I know you're a troll and all, but that's just kind of rude and unnecessary (and wrong).
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T Bone

Sep 18, 2012, 12:09 PM
And that's less work than setting up a Facetime account? Come on man, you're spinning here...
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Tofuchong

Sep 18, 2012, 12:16 PM
Yeah, plus the single advantage that skype can be used on *anything* and facetime MUST be used on an iOS device already gives skype the win. Set up time shouldn't matter. What, are we in the old days when if your OS didn't support something you're totally out of luck? Almost all other apps are available cross-platform, but not facetime.

Sorry, you only have DOS 5.0? Well then you can't play Duke Nukem 3D.
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bluecoyote

Sep 18, 2012, 2:29 PM
Been down this road when my family had Android handsets and I used the iPhone.

In order for me to make a Skype call to them, they both had to check every hour or so that Skype was still running in the background- and it'd quit throughout the day on random intervals.

Facetime (which Apple does need to open up as they promised) works because it's *always* there.
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T Bone

Sep 18, 2012, 2:37 PM
Far from having problems with it randomly closing, I find that the bigger problem with the Android Skype app is that it is hard to close it...when you think it is shut off...it turns out it's not
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bluecoyote

Sep 18, 2012, 2:19 PM
Have you used an iPhone?

If you have an iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch of recent make, it's already done from when they purchased/set up the phone. Availability wise, it's the same as making a phone call.
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T Bone

Sep 18, 2012, 2:39 PM
I have an iPod Touch and a Macbook Pro so I know how Facetime works....I actually intended to say 'that's not harder than setting up a Facetime account' and it's not....as far as ease of setting it up, Skype and Facetime are about equal...that was what I was trying to say...the initial setup of the Apple ID is no easier than the initial set up of Skype....they are of about equal difficulty...
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Haggard

Sep 19, 2012, 9:10 AM
lolwut?

You mean..enabling FaceTime in the menu and calling someone via FaceTime is troubling? My god you never seem to know anything of what you are talking about.
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T Bone

Sep 19, 2012, 9:49 AM
Wow, you are the king of straw man aren't you?

I didn't say anything about it's being 'troubling' I said that setting up an Apple ID is no more 'simple' or 'easy' than setting up a Skype account, the number of steps is about the same in both cases....the idea that setting up a Skype account is something really difficult and time consuming but setting up an Apple ID just easy peasey and require absolutely no effort is just total BS.......setting up a Skype account takes about 2 minutes.....and setting up an Apple iD takes about 2 minutes.....neither is 'easier' or 'harder' than the other....

But then most Apple people have never used any products not made by Apple....except maybe for a few minutes and then only to convince themselves th...
(continues)
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