Apple adds FaceTime to Macs

TechCrunch noticed a FaceTime app icon in the dock of the demo machine being used to demo the new iLife ’11 features, and well… it looks as if FaceTime will really come to desktop computers — so awesome! Apple has since gone on to confirm the news, stating that FaceTime for Mac will be available as a public beta today.

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Tags: Apple, FaceTime, iOS, iPhone, ipod touch, Mac OS, os x

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lurch

Steve Jobs looks like Skeletor.
1jaxstate1

Or just use yahoo or skype.

Steel

I was going to say what about for PC? Then I remembered that it already exists, and is called Skype.

Mgl323

About time! Now get FaceTime to work for Windows 7 please.

nicole

Yahoo? Google Talk? Skype?…..
serpentor

That’s going to be impossible as Facetime Chat requires a facetime cam. And I don’t think Apple will be releasing a facetime cam for Windows anytime soon.

Ariel

Niceeeee Facetime’s coming to Mac!!!!!..BUT WAIT, what makes FaceTime on a Mac any different than iChat, Skype, or Oovoo on a Mac?? Because last time I checked it does the SAME thing. Is there any ground breaking technology going to be added?? Unless they are getting rid of iChat all together.

Monique

My guess is that it will be more useful for iPhone users…
ddd

it works with iphone…ichat does NOT work with iphone or ipod touch. CLOWN

Tdot34

Somehow Jobs is going to say this is magical and revolutionary, and the Apple Fanboys will agree, even though this has been possible over skype for what 5 years?

Clusterphook

LOL, exactly! The magical new experience of video chat coming to your MAC!!!

David

Aside from the other services that offer this as probably already noted by regular BG readers, I’m also thinking what’s the good? Sure, laptops have bigger screens but really, how big do I need to be in your face for me talk to you. And if FaceTime works over wi-fi, and now presumably over wired connection, then isn’t Apple devaluing the app’s appeal on its iPhone? I think I’ll just stick to the other already known and well used alternatives that don’t limit me to one system OS.
Derek

ohh, facetime on a MAC…only benefit that I can see would be for Iphone users…other than that use any other program that has been out for so much longer and is out of Beta:)
Ben

Make it use standards-based SIP protocol so I can call any/all other SIP proxies out there, and I’ll be happy. Don’t limit this app to only work with other FaceTime users.
In other words, allow it to work with other SIP-based video products, and watch the skype userbase come your way.
bob

this is innovation? please
Adrian97c

So with Skype on a PC you can video chat with a cellphone?? I doubt it..

So facetime will make this happen for the first time, right?

Dara

You can’t anymore, but for years before Skype decided to get pissy about it, you could use Fring on Nokia smartphones to do exactly that.

bob

Im assuming its so that CPU and Phones can communicate on one app. Mac to iphone.
Mr. Bill

How innovative…lol.
Bet this is going to cost some coin.
counsel

Apple needs to sell macs… To do so, best bet is to get iphone users to buy… 60% of income or profits from equip that is all 3 years or less old.. Apple is trying hard to sell more macs, and new users want on their mac what they have on their iphone….
RIM sucks

This is mostly beneficial for iPhone users. Now they can chat mobile to computer. Can’t do that with many of services. And everyone assumes that everyone has a skype account or oovoo. This is not innovation but it will make things easier for a lot of people who can care less about opening another account for something they will seldom use. I mean it’s ok but what’s all the hating for. The same folks are saying use Skype or and service are the same idiots who tout blackberry messenger. Hypocrites.
counsel

Don’t you need some account to use facetime?
Michal

FaceTime beta on Mac watch my video -> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7twB_HfkOEo&hd=1
serpentor

BG you get excited about the weirdest things.
Apple is SLOWING down

I know their stock is through the roof and they are still growing in market share but this announcement today was disappointing in my eye. Nothing ground breaking or innovated. I seems to me that Apple is really slowing down in finding new ideas to the OS. Facetime? Come on Steve, you can do better. Touchscreen? Nah, nothing turns me off more than a dirty laptop/computer screen. Thanks anyways but I will stick with Leopard.
wanderer

just installed it on my imac and works seemlessly for a beta version. wished this was on a PC too since I have a windows 7 laptop. At least I can use yahoo messenger app on my ip4 to video chat with someone on a PC.

Posted from BGR Mobile (iPhone).
Johnny mallachi

Popcorn hour, Western Digital, HDI, Dvico just to name a few make much better media players than this POS.