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Furthermore, couldn't you replace "FaceTime" with "Skype" and the article would still make sense? "[Skype], I think, is a first step in the direction of a mobi

by portman 16y ago

Furthermore, couldn't you replace "FaceTime" with "Skype" and the article would still make sense? "[Skype], I think, is a first step in the direction of a mobile “phone” with no mobile carrier. If and when [Skype] is supported over 3G in addition to Wi-Fi, it’ll be data, not voice — megabytes, not minutes." Skype already has a device that works on 3G: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3_Skypephone_Series http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3_Skypephone_Series And today, Skype has 529 million accounts, whereas FaceTime has 600,000 (the number of pre-ordered iPhone 4s). It's not at all clear to me how Apple expects FaceTime to encroach on Skype's market share.

joe_the_user 16y ago
Stand-alone wifi phones have existed for a while too. It's just the cellular networks are much better and don't have to fear wifi replacing them.
WiseWeasel 16y ago
How many people own said Skype 3G device? How many people own cell phones? The point is, if you want to be making calls over the wireless network when you're out and about, chances are you won't be using a device capable of making unmetered Skype calls over 3G (at least not for very long, or with much success). You'll be using the carrier's sanctioned and costly services. You can make calls over 3G today with Skype on the iPhone, and it's free for now, but they say it'll only be free until the end of this year, and then they'll be charging for it. http://blogs.skype.com/en/2010/05/iphone_calling_over_3g.html http://blogs.skype.com/en/2010/05/iphone_calling_over_3g.htm... The carriers are flexing their leverage over Apple/FaceTime and Skype to fight any free VoIP services on their networks. Look for a paid FaceTime-over-cell-data-network plan to emerge in short order, with revenues going straight to the carrier, along with Skype's.
jsz0 16y ago
From what I can tell there's no revenue model around FaceTime so I doubt Apple cares about competing with Skype. Probably just didn't want to rely on a third party to provide the essential software that makes an important hardware feature work.
joehn 16y ago
they start late, yes. but they have sold 100 million iOS devices. so in a year or so most of those could have facetime. plus 70+ million new ones with facetime preinstalled.
natmaster 16y ago
I don't know about this Skype phone, but I make Skype calls (including video) on my Nokia N900. Have been doing this for some time.
ZeroGravitas 16y ago
If you replaced Facetime with Skype and published it what five(?) years ago, then yes it would make sense.

by portman 16y ago

joe_the_user 16y ago

Stand-alone wifi phones have existed for a while too. It's just the cellular networks are much better and don't have to fear wifi replacing them.

WiseWeasel 16y ago

How many people own said Skype 3G device? How many people own cell phones? The point is, if you want to be making calls over the wireless network when you're out and about, chances are you won't be using a device capable of making unmetered Skype calls over 3G (at least not for very long, or with much success). You'll be using the carrier's sanctioned and costly services. You can make calls over 3G today with Skype on the iPhone, and it's free for now, but they say it'll only be free until the end of this year, and then they'll be charging for it. http://blogs.skype.com/en/2010/05/iphone_calling_over_3g.html http://blogs.skype.com/en/2010/05/iphone_calling_over_3g.htm... The carriers are flexing their leverage over Apple/FaceTime and Skype to fight any free VoIP services on their networks. Look for a paid FaceTime-over-cell-data-network plan to emerge in short order, with revenues going straight to the carrier, along with Skype's.

jsz0 16y ago

From what I can tell there's no revenue model around FaceTime so I doubt Apple cares about competing with Skype. Probably just didn't want to rely on a third party to provide the essential software that makes an important hardware feature work.

joehn 16y ago

they start late, yes. but they have sold 100 million iOS devices. so in a year or so most of those could have facetime. plus 70+ million new ones with facetime preinstalled.

natmaster 16y ago

I don't know about this Skype phone, but I make Skype calls (including video) on my Nokia N900. Have been doing this for some time.

ZeroGravitas 16y ago

If you replaced Facetime with Skype and published it what five(?) years ago, then yes it would make sense.