AT&T contemplating charging for FaceTime over Cellular data?

[QueBert]

They aren't. You're offering an alternative, where as QueBert is just being argumentative.

They're not? LOL, the only similarity is they both allow you to video chat. Aside from that voice chatting on Google Chat isn't even compareable to Facetime. Facetime is a super polished app that works near flawlessly. Google Chat's a beta product that doesn't work well at all. Now if he had said Skype I would have said "sure, that's a good alternative" But to mention Google Chat in the same breath as Facetalk is not reasonable what-so-ever. That's like a person saying "what's a good IM program" and I suggest talk (The *nix client)

Google chat sucks for even text chatting, anyone who recommends that program to anyone for any purpose probably hates them, there's no logical reason to ever suggest it be used.

 

[Aikouka]

I doubt that I would use Facetime over cellular data, and I've only ever used it once before now. However, this sickens me, and if AT&T doesn't change their mind, I'm going to eat the ETF and cancel my service when the new iPhone comes out. I can understand limiting tethering since that's dealing with other devices, but we're talking about using the connection on the device that it's intended for within the limits provided by the plan (i.e. caps).

Plus... I get LTE if I switch to Verizon.

 

[basslover1]

They're not? LOL, the only similarity is they both allow you to video chat. Aside from that voice chatting on Google Chat isn't even compareable to Facetime. Facetime is a super polished app that works near flawlessly. Google Chat's a beta product that doesn't work well at all. Now if he had said Skype I would have said "sure, that's a good alternative" But to mention Google Chat in the same breath as Facetalk is not reasonable what-so-ever. That's like a person saying "what's a good IM program" and I suggest talk (The *nix client)

Google chat sucks for even text chatting, anyone who recommends that program to anyone for any purpose probably hates them, there's no logical reason to ever suggest it be used.

They aren't. You're offering an alternative, where as QueBert is just being argumentative.

Guess you were right.

 

[rsutoratosu]

Dude, slingplayer... Seriously.

I hate how sling charges like 30 bucks for each device though

 

[Ns1]

dude, slingplayer... Seriously.

i hate how sling charges like 30 bucks for each device though

$0 > $30

 

[Sentrosi2121]

We use FaceTime on a weekly basis. My only regret with FaceTime is that its only a one-on-one conversation. Not that you could fit 2 windows within my iPhone to multi-chat on FaceTime, but with my family scattered across the country it's a great way to get together for an hour or so each week.

I was looking forward to FaceTime over cell. But now, not so much. Was going to have at least my mom watch my son's first t-ball game next year. Even if she wouldn't be there for it, at least she'd be able to experience it.

 

[s44]

We use FaceTime on a weekly basis. My only regret with FaceTime is that its only a one-on-one conversation. Not that you could fit 2 windows within my iPhone to multi-chat on FaceTime, but with my family scattered across the country it's a great way to get together for an hour or so each week.

G+ Hangouts are the real competition here, not their soon-to-be-EOL Gchat video.

 

[Puddle Jumper]

G+ Hangouts are the real competition here, not their soon-to-be-EOL Gchat video.

Yup. it's also cross platform. I've tried it with iPhone users a couple of times and the quality was great.

 

[lothar]

G+ Hangouts are the real competition here, not their soon-to-be-EOL Gchat video.

What alternative Google product is there for people that don't use Google+? I'll be damned if I have to sign up to Google+ just to use that. I'm not falling for the social network nonsense. No to Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

-Lothar

 

[lothar]

And so it begins...

http://www.bgr.com/2012/08/17/att-facetime-ios-6-cellular/

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Google Talk Video doesn't work over the network anymore... I wonder if AT&T is blocking or this is standard GTalk check. Can someone confirm on one of the other 3 networks?

Additionally, if this IS AT&T blocking Google Chat video connections on my phone (this is an unlocked i9100 running CM9), then what's to prevent them from blocking google hangouts too? If this is true, then there's no reason to bicker about iOS or Android. It's really a carrier problem.

As for those of you who bring up the point of hangouts.... hangouts are severely crippled. Read the Google forums and you can see a bunch of Exynos based users complaining you can't even join a video hangout. I can confirm with my i9100. I see GNote users complaining too and other SGS2 users. Sure we may not be a majority, but SGS2 users are pretty numerous in the Android crowd.

 

[Rottie]

I FaceTime all the time!! FaceTime over cellular is cool…AT&T shouldn't charge me and other hearing impaired people!

 

[Puddle Jumper]

Google Talk Video doesn't work over the network anymore... I wonder if AT&T is blocking or this is standard GTalk check. Can someone confirm on one of the other 3 networks?

Additionally, if this IS AT&T blocking Google Chat video connections on my phone (this is an unlocked i9100 running CM9), then what's to prevent them from blocking google hangouts too? If this is true, then there's no reason to bicker about iOS or Android. It's really a carrier problem.

As for those of you who bring up the point of hangouts.... hangouts are severely crippled. Read the Google forums and you can see a bunch of Exynos based users complaining you can't even join a video hangout. I can confirm with my i9100. I see GNote users complaining too and other SGS2 users. Sure we may not be a majority, but SGS2 users are pretty numerous in the Android crowd.

I've joined video hangouts with my i777 several times before. Are you sure it isn't a custom rom issue?

 

[MotionMan]

I usually scoff at people who say there is wi-fi everywhere. I have not found that to be true, even in Los Angeles. That being said, if you are somewhere that does not have wi-fi, you probably are not far from a Starbucks or McDonalds that does, so go there to FaceTime if you "have to". No one needs to FaceTime, so it can wait.

BTW, I have used Facetime about 10 times, each time just to have fun with my kids. Other than that, why would I want someone to be looking up my nose on a phone call?

MotionMan

 

[zerocool84]

I usually scoff at people who say there is wi-fi everywhere. I have not found that to be true, even in Los Angeles. That being said, if you are somewhere that does not have wi-fi, you probably are not far from a Starbucks or McDonalds that does, so go there to FaceTime if you "have to". No one needs to FaceTime, so it can wait.

BTW, I have used Facetime about 10 times, each time just to have fun with my kids. Other than that, why would I want someone to be looking up my nose on a phone call?

MotionMan

Exactly, there isn't wifi everywhere, even in major cities.

 

[Aikouka]

I know that Verizon isn't much better of a company, but adding in the fact that Verizon has to allow free tethering for all limited users, I think it's pretty clear where I should go next! :$

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Exactly, there isn't wifi everywhere, even in major cities.

plus forget if wifi is everywhere...

it's the fact i need to open up the wifi menu. stock Android is pretty hard to get into the wifi menu. IT's a few steps. Same with iOS. Sure bossprefs or say notification bar on Android on custom ROMs can help, but it's still another step. Search for the appropriate wifi and then hit connect.

Yes I know my AT&T WIndows Phone connects seamlessly to attwifi, but not my unlocked SGS2.

I feel like my smartphone is meant for me to be able to power it on and do whatever the hell I want.... not spend 30 seconds finding a wifi hotspot before doing the things I want to do.