According to a few photos we received today, it seems that Apple may be ready to go with FaceTime over 3G. However, it may be the carriers who make the final decision.
With the iOS 5 beta, photos reveal a new pop-up that prompts users to turn on cellular data to use FaceTime.
FaceTime Unavailable: Turn on cellular data or use Wi-Fi to use FaceTime.
Once cellular data is activated however, we get the familiar error:
FaceTime Failed: Connect to a Wi-Fi network to use FaceTime.
When FaceTime first launched, the video calling feature was limited to WiFi on iOS devices. This limitation severely reduced the usefulness of FaceTime, as WiFi is not as readily available as the mobile carrier networks.
Based on the first photo above, it does seem that Apple is ready to enable FaceTime over 3G or WiFi, but ultimately the carriers must decide to enable the functionality as FaceTime would deliver a heavy load of data to the mobile carrier networks.
Of course if FaceTime over 3G is enabled, you’ll definitely want the Canadian mobile carrier’s famous 6GB data plan, as anything less probably wouldn’t cut it.
Thanks to Gordun for the images!
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Why bother? The quality will be garbage, probably disconnect mid call. Might as well leave FaceTime for wifi until there’s a solid 4g network and a 4g capable iPhone next year
Why bother? The quality will be garbage, probably disconnect mid call. Might as well leave FaceTime for wifi until there’s a solid 4g network and a 4g capable iPhone next year
Why bother? The quality will be garbage, probably disconnect mid call. Might as well leave FaceTime for wifi until there’s a solid 4g network and a 4g capable iPhone next year
No, it actually works fine. Jailbreak your phone and try it.
Yea no way I would use FaceTime on 3G. I have My3G and use FaceTime but always end up going back to wifi because the quality just sucks! Rogers is so not ready for 3G FaceTime
No, it actually works fine. Jailbreak your phone and try it.
Yea no way I would use FaceTime on 3G. I have My3G and use FaceTime but always end up going back to wifi because the quality just sucks! Rogers is so not ready for 3G FaceTime
It’s not consistent, sometimes it’s perfect, other times it’s laggy as hell.
FaceTime over 3G has worked pretty well here on Rogers in Vancouver. I
welcome this.
FaceTime over 3G has worked pretty well here on Rogers in Vancouver. I
welcome this.
I’ve got the 6GB plan from Virgin… bring it on!!!! 😀
I use Skype over 3G for video all the time and the quality is quite acceptable. Don’t see why FaceTime would be any different.
Makes me glad I held on to my 6GB data plan!
Here is a little side story about Rogers: I shared my data between my iphone and ipad 1, but when I bought the ipad 2, I thought I would save the extra $20 a month, buy a WiFi only model and just tether using my iphone.
Well when I called to cancel the sharing service, they told me I had to cancel my 6GB plan all together, but could get the 1GB plan for the same price because “they weren’t offering the 6GB promotion at this time”. I said screw THAT, so I gave my old ipad sim card to my sister-in-law for her ipad 2 and now she pays me $20/mo.
Stupid Rogers… What a bunch of crooks.
I’m sorry but I have to release my Rogers frustration some where and this is usually the best place to do it!
Makes me glad I held on to my 6GB data plan!
Here is a little side story about Rogers: I shared my data between my iphone and ipad 1, but when I bought the ipad 2, I thought I would save the extra $20 a month, buy a WiFi only model and just tether using my iphone.
Well when I called to cancel the sharing service, they told me I had to cancel my 6GB plan all together, but could get the 1GB plan for the same price because “they weren’t offering the 6GB promotion at this time”. I said screw THAT, so I gave my old ipad sim card to my sister-in-law for her ipad 2 and now she pays me $20/mo.
Stupid Rogers… What a bunch of crooks.
I’m sorry but I have to release my Rogers frustration some where and this is usually the best place to do it!
My 3G down speeds on my 3GS are typically 2-4mbps anywhere in London on Fido. The upload speeds on the iP4 are superb as well, I don’t see why it wouldn’t work here.
My 3G down speeds on my 3GS are typically 2-4mbps anywhere in London on Fido. The upload speeds on the iP4 are superb as well, I don’t see why it wouldn’t work here.