It's 2015 and FaceTime is a Disgrace

[Nimoy]

I can't believe how lousy FaceTime and FaceTime Audio are. Whether I'm using Wifi or LTE, iPhone 6 or iPad Air, FaceTime is terribly, embarrassingly unreliable. It cuts out, it takes 10 seconds or more just to connect ("Hello?" "HELLO??!" "Can't hear anything" "HELLLLLOO!??") and the video is laggy and low quality.

I am really surprised and disappointed that a service that Apple has been offering for years now (and that was launched on vastly inferior hardware) is this crappy. FaceTime Audio should be a permanent alternative to cellular calls between iPhones like iMessage is a permanent alternative to SMS. But it's not because it sucks.

 

[AlliFlowers]

I have zero problems with FaceTime. The quality is great, and it's almost like having the other person there with you.

The one improvement I'm still waiting for is multi-caller FaceTime calls. We should have this already.

 

[Primejimbo]

The few times I used it (both wifi and LTE) I thought it was excellent. I was amazed how clear everything was.

 

[S.B.G]

It works well for me most of the time. Though I'd love to see some improvements in low light quality, connectivity speed and length of time to connect to others.

 

[OneMike]

I use FaceTime a lot and it's always been great for me.

 

[Gav2k]

No issues for me either. Actually it works great!

 

[PsyOpWarlord]

I get better quality with FaceTime Video than I do with other apps like Skype, Tango etc.

the only think I dislike about FaceTime is that it's not open so Windows, Android etc can use it.

 

[jwolf6589]

I have zero problems with FaceTime. The quality is great, and it's almost like having the other person there with you.

The one improvement I'm still waiting for is multi-caller FaceTime calls. We should have this already.

And also a text chat interface.

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I get better quality with FaceTime Video than I do with other apps like Skype, Tango etc.

the only think I dislike about FaceTime is that it's not open so Windows, Android etc can use it.

Why should Apple open it to those interfaces?

 

[S.B.G]

Why should Apple open it to those interfaces?

When Steve Jobs announced FaceTime he said it would be open source. However, Apple never followed through on that promise.

If it were open source, more people would have an opportunity to communicate on various devices and platforms, not being restricted to Apple devices only.

 

[sonicrobby]

Ive never had any problems with FaceTime. Just my two cents, but I think it may be your internet connection. Ive only experienced long connection times when at my Dads house, but his internet is crap.

 

[Badrottie]

Hi I'm deaf I really LOVE FaceTime very much 'it just WORK' perfect for my communication need. I have no problem with it on both LTE and wifi (my own mobile hotspot).

 

[impaler]

I think it works great. Use it all the time on my Mac, iPad, iPhone. I have unlimited data on the phone, and use it over cellular pretty reliably too.

 

[silvetti]

Besides sometimes taking a bit too long to actual connect a call once you accept it I have almost no issues with quality, both audio calls and video calls.

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

When Steve Jobs announced FaceTime he said it would be open source. However, Apple never followed through on that promise.

If it were open source, more people would have an opportunity to communicate on various devices and platforms, not being restricted to Apple devices only.

That's because it is now running through Apples servers, instead of being peer to peer. You can thank the lawsuit from VirnetX for that.

 

[Yptcn]

Face Time is terrific ! Works great , I've never had an issue whatsoever ##

 

[barbarall]

FaceTime problems

Whether I use my Mac desktop, iPad or iPhone, the audio of the person I FaceTime with cuts out when there is any noise on my end. She can hear me clearly all the time, but I have no audio at my end if I make any noise at all. Suggestions?

 

[MikhailT]

Facetime works beautifully for my family who uses it all the time.

That's because it is now running through Apples servers, instead of being peer to peer. You can thank the lawsuit from VirnetX for that.

This. The patents will expire sometime in 2020, after that, Apple should be able to open source FaceTime unless Congress decides to let companies extend the patents, which wouldn't surprise me.

 

[roadbloc]

Can't say I've ever had issues. But then again, I've never used FaceTime in my life.

 

[rhett7660]

I have had zero issues with it on both LTE and WIFI. The picture and audio are usually pretty good. There are times when it is better than others. We use it a lot.

Of course just because it is good for me doesn't mean it will be good for you. YMMV....

 

[powers74]

the only think I dislike about FaceTime is that it's not open so Windows, Android etc can use it.

Why should Apple open it to those interfaces?

I'd say that much like iMessage, the standards bodies are the roadblock to it being cross-platform. Of course, I could be WAY off on that like I have been many times before.

to the OP, I agree with many of the above, FaceTime has been mostly great for me. Maybe you just had a bad experience?

 

[powers74]

Can't say I've ever had issues. But then again, I've never used FaceTime in my life.

Wow, that was helpful.

 

[roadbloc]

Wow, that was helpful.

Thanks. I'm always trying my best with helping people.

 

[happycadaver]

No issues whatsoever, 3G connection and up. I wouldn't try it with EDGE or similar.

 

[MikhailT]

I'd say that much like iMessage, the standards bodies are the roadblock to it being cross-platform. Of course, I could be WAY off on that like I have been many times before.

to the OP, I agree with many of the above, FaceTime has been mostly great for me. Maybe you just had a bad experience?

Standard bodies usually have nothing to do with this. One of the rules is when filing an application for a new standard is that all the stuff that goes into the purposed standard must have all patent agreements, must give up patents and royalties and so on.

Apple did not have all the agreements in place for FaceTime, VirnetX was confirmed to own the patents for some of the technologies Apple use in FaceTime and 3 times, Apple lost the lawsuit.

Until Apple gets an agreement with VirnetX to let them standardize the FaceTime protocol, there's nothing Apple can do until all patents expire first. They usually have 20 years, and from last check, the last patent to expire is in the year 2020.

 

[powers74]

Standard bodies usually have nothing to do with this. One of the rules is when filing an application for a new standard is that all the stuff that goes into the purposed standard must have all patent agreements, must give up patents and royalties and so on.

Apple did not have all the agreements in place for FaceTime, VirnetX was confirmed to own the patents for some of the technologies Apple use in FaceTime and 3 times, Apple lost the lawsuit.

Until Apple gets an agreement with VirnetX to let them standardize the FaceTime protocol, there's nothing Apple can do until all patents expire first. They usually have 20 years, and from last check, the last patent to expire is in the year 2020.

I was unaware of those details, thanks!