Video chat looks to be a lock in iPhone OS 4.0

By on Apr 11, 2010 at 6:29 PM
Rumor April 11, 2010

os-4-video-chat

Evidence continues to mount that the next iPhone will feature support for video chats, as multiple references to the feature have been unearthed in the latest iPhone OS 4.0 beta. Inside what appears to be an iChat app for the iPhone, mentions of one-on-one and group video chats were found. It also appears that Apple already has at least three servers set up for the service, although all of them are only accessible through Apple’s intranet. Found elsewhere in the build were references to chat rooms and moderation which 9to5Mac speculates will be put to use in the new Game Center. To be clear, just because something is included in the pre-release software is no guarantee it will ever see the light of day. But, considering the fact that many well informed people have been talking of such a feature for a long time, we’d be willing to wager we’ll see something along the lines of an iChat app with video abilities come June. Where there’s smoke there’s fire, right?

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  • Christopher Cox

    @Bobby: okay … 1) Verizon and CDMA has NEVER been capable of simultaneous video and chat. 3G GSM found in AT&T and T-Mobile is capable of that. 2) Video chat on a device like this will be pure data. Which means if you are using Verizon to video chat with someone, your main voice line won’t work unless your done. On a carrier like AT&T or T-Mobile where simultaneous voice and data are possible … Those things will still work.

  • Dr. Richard N. ixon

    woohoo now I can video chat while I’m taking a dump…
    but seriously nice addition apple.

  • big red elephant

    so heres my take on a video iphone,,,, one, really????? at&t has an overloaded network as it is without any video streaming acrossed its network, yes they are investing in the network to apease apple, but even 2billion on there network does not even make a dent.

    two, video on an overloaded network! need i say it again,, over loaded network.

    my crystal ball:

    qualcom dual band chip, hspa and gsm, on verizon network, this satisfies network issue, and also the hspa to 4g network issue,,, dual band chip was being made by qualcom at the beginning of this year, said to be for apple,, hint hint,,,,

    I see a video 4g ready iphone this summer on verizon network as well as at&t,,,,,

    • Zak Robertson

      You assume that it’ll be allowed over the data network and not wifi-only. Which is a way better assumption. It took forever and a day for AT&T to allow Skype access to it’s data network for voice calls. There’s no real reason to believe this wouldn’t be any different.

  • Len

    For all current Iphone owners, OS 4.0 will also introduce another revolutionary Apple product. The iMirror. This device lets you actually see who you are video chatting with by holding it behind the screen while you are looking/speaking to the camera (which is on the BACK of your phone). Voila, you can now see who you are actually talking to (which is the whole point of video chatting) and the best part, it comes at the low cost of $150. Coming to an Apple Store near you!

  • http://www.twitter.com/antoinestewart ANT

    you gas me up everytime with this ichat thing

  • loki

    I aint holding my breath for this one. A question, what makes u think AT

  • loki

    I aint holding my breath for this one. A question, What makes you think AT&T will allow this? This is going to be the same scenario as MMS.

    The device may support it, but AT&T’s network is prob no where near being able to handle this new feature.

    • Zak Robertson

      I bet it’s gonna be a wifi only thing, at least here in the US.

  • _ysl

    maybe im missing something? wouldn’t you have to have a camera on the front of your iphone for this to work? someone mention the mirror program…but nobody wants to walk around with a mirror in one hand and their phone in the other right? without a front facing camera wouldn’t the video call be one sided… where you would only be able to see them, but they couldn’t see you?
    imo, apple is getting their ducks lined up to have a front facing iphone.. ppl have speculated in the past. i think that is coming soon…
    oh and at&t and better beef up their network for this too, like ppl are saying video chat would be all data, and right now i don’t think that at&t could handle that load on there network.. their already having problems with just iphone data. put video on top of that, and without network updates it wouldn’t work.. there still a few years out on that

  • Cathy

    > Video chat looks to be a lock

    Sounds like BGR is absolutely positive about this.

    Not!

  • Apollo

    From what this article says iPhone OS 4.0 will definitely have iChat:

    http://www.s10a02t01.info/blog/2010/04/ichat-iphone-os-4-0-beta-release/

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