FaceTime

mobile
January 16, 2013
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AT&T FaceTime Controversy

FaceTime over 3G now available to all AT&T iPhone users with tiered data plans

By on January 16, 2013 at 2:36 PM.

FaceTime over 3G now available to all AT&T iPhone users with tiered data plans

Rejoice, AT&T (T) iPhone subscribers: You no longer need to have a shared data plan or an LTE-capable iPhone 5 to use FaceTime over the company’s cellular network. AT&T announced on Wednesday that customers who own an HSPA+ compatible iPhone and subscribe to any tiered data plan can now use the carrier’s HSPA+ network to use Apple’s (AAPL) popular video chat application. AT&T says that it has “already begun updating our systems and processes and expect to start rolling the update out to customers on an ongoing basis beginning in the next couple of weeks.” The carrier first announced that iPhone 5 users with tiered data plans would be allowed to use FaceTime over its LTE network this past November. We’ve posted AT&T’s full press release below. More →

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mobile
November 8, 2012
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AT&T FaceTime Policy

AT&T iPhone 5 users can now get FaceTime over cellular without a shared data plan

By on November 8, 2012 at 2:54 PM.

AT&T iPhone 5 users can now get FaceTime over cellular without a shared data plan

AT&T (T) has started to appease customers annoyed by its FaceTime policies by announcing that iPhone 5 users will be able to use the video chat application over the carrier’s LTE network even if they don’t have a shared data plan. AT&T isn’t charging customers any extra money to use FaceTime over its LTE network and that company says that it “expects to roll out this functionality to customers over the next eight to ten weeks.” AT&T is still requiring that customers have tiered data plans to use FaceTime over cellular, however, so customers that still have grandfathered unlimited data plans won’t be able to take advantage.

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mobile
October 17, 2012
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Angry AT&T customer files formal complaint over FaceTime restrictions

By on October 17, 2012 at 4:07 PM.

Angry AT&T customer files formal complaint over FaceTime restrictions

AT&T Facetime Policy

Many have complained about AT&T’s (T) FaceTime policy, but now one man is standing up to do something about it. Business Insider reports that an architect living in San Francisco, who wishes to remain anonymous, has filed a formal complaint with the Federal Communications Commission over AT&T’s decision to limit Apple’s (AAPL) FaceTime video calling application over its cellular network to shared data plan subscribers. The man said he was particularly annoyed because he has been paying AT&T for unlimited data use on his smartphone for years and now he’s angry that AT&T won’t let him use FaceTime over 3G or 4G on his unlimited data plan. More →

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Legal
September 25, 2012
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FCC chairman declines comment on AT&T’s controversial FaceTime policy

By on September 25, 2012 at 11:25 PM.

FCC chairman declines comment on AT&T’s controversial FaceTime policy

AT&T FaceTime Controversy

Federal Communications Commission chairman Julius Genachowski on Tuesday told The Verge that AT&T’s (T) policy on Apple’s (AAPL) FaceTime application was a matter of contention but wouldn’t say whether or not it violated the FCC’s net neutrality rules. Genachowski said that he couldn’t comment on how he felt about AT&T’s decision to limit FaceTime over its cellular network to shared data plan subscribers because the case might soon wind up being heard by the FCC and he didn’t want to show any prejudice for or against the wireless carrier. Several open-Internet advocacy groups said earlier this month that they planned to file a formal complaint against AT&T over its FaceTime policy as an alleged violation of net neutrality.

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Legal
September 18, 2012
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AT&T’s FaceTime policy could get it slapped with an FCC fine

By on September 18, 2012 at 11:45 AM.

AT&T’s FaceTime policy could get it slapped with an FCC fine

AT&T FaceTime FCC

AT&T’s (T) decision to limit FaceTime over its cellular network to shared data plan subscribers hasn’t been very popular with many iPhone users, but a new report from GigaOM suggests that government regulators might not like it very much either. According to GigaOM, several open-Internet advocacy groups have told AT&T that they intend to file a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission alleging that the carrier’s FaceTime policies violate the network neutrality restrictions passed by the FCC back in 2010. More →

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mobile
August 22, 2012
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AT&T defends controversial FaceTime policy following widespread backlash

By on August 22, 2012 at 9:55 AM.

AT&T defends controversial FaceTime policy following widespread backlash

AT&T Defends FaceTime Cellular Policy

AT&T (T) is wasting no time hitting back at critics of its decision to limit the use of popular video chat app FaceTime over its cellular network to users who sign up for its shared data plans. In a post on the company’s official public policy blog on Wednesday, AT&T chief privacy officer Bob Quinn sneered at criticisms that restricting FaceTime over cellular to shared data plans violates the Federal Communications Commission’s network neutrality rules for wireless networks. More →

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General
May 7, 2012
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Apple 'iTV' details emerge from source claiming to have seen a prototype

By on May 7, 2012 at 11:35 AM.

Apple 'iTV' details emerge from source claiming to have seen a prototype

Apple iTV details emerge: Aluminum case, Siri, Facetime

Apple’s upcoming high-definition television is real, and it will reportedly feature an aluminum construction, Siri, FaceTime video calling and more. An anonymous source speaking with Cult of Mac claims to have seen a prototype of Apple’s upcoming “iTV” in action, and a number of details have been reinforced as a result. “It resembled an Apple monitor, only much larger,” the unnamed source told the site, referring to the aluminum LED Cinema Displays Apple currently sells alongside its Mac computers. Cult of Mac, which has revealed accurate details surrounding unannounced Apple products in the past, also reports that the HDTV will feature Siri, Apple’s sophisticated voice recognition software, and an iSight camera for FaceTime video calling. Many expect Apple to launch its debut television later this year, though a recent report suggests that it may not hit the market until 2014. More →

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Tablets
March 15, 2012
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FaceTime not supported over LTE on the new iPad

By on March 15, 2012 at 8:35 AM.

FaceTime not supported over LTE on the new iPad

A recent report from The Verge has confirmed that Apple’s new iPad does not support FaceTime video calling over LTE networks. When trying to initiate a FaceTime call over 4G, the user is prompted to first connect to a Wi-Fi network. The news comes as little surprise since FaceTime on Apple’s iPhone is also limited to Wi-Fi. Verizon and AT&T’s 4G LTE networks are faster than some Wi-Fi connections however, and it is disappointing to say the least that the service isn’t supported. Oddly enough, the iPad does support a mobile hotspot feature, at least on Verizon, and users can successfully make a FaceTime call from an iPhone while tethered to the iPad. At this time it is unclear whether FaceTime’s Wi-Fi limitation is Apple’s decision or a move requested by wireless carriers. Verizon and AT&T did not immediately respond to a request for comment. More →

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Exclusive
April 11, 2011
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Apple iOS 4.3.2 to fix Verizon iPad 2 connectivity and FaceTime issues, we go hands-on!

By on April 11, 2011 at 11:14 AM.

Apple iOS 4.3.2 to fix Verizon iPad 2 connectivity and FaceTime issues, we go hands-on!

One of our Apple sources has just let us know that Apple’s iOS 4.3.2, due within the next week or so, will fix the issues we’ve been hearing about with some Verizon iPad 2 models. Additionally, the new update is said to contain a fix for FaceTime in addition to security fixes for things like WebKit vulnerabilities and other minor changes. We’ve loaded up iOS 4.3.2 on our iPhone, and we’ll let you know if we notice any other changes.

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Entertainment
March 25, 2011
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Apple ‘Smart TV’ in the works, analyst suggests

By on March 25, 2011 at 1:37 PM.

Apple ‘Smart TV’ in the works, analyst suggests

Apple may be expanding its portfolio beyond just Apple TV to an actual “Smart TV,” according to Morgan Stanley analyst Katy Huberty. “Checks in Asia suggest Apple is working on a Smart TV prototype,” Huberty said in a note to investors on Friday. She also suggested that such a TV could help create a whole new Smart TV category. While there are already connected TVs that some manufacturer’s advertise as being “smart,” Huberty thinks Apple’s could include “TV/Video content, gaming, DVR as well as other features like apps and FaceTime.” By 2013, such a device could earn Apple roughly $4 billion for every 1% of the TV market it grabs, Huberty said. We think a cooler option might be for Apple to take the ATRIX 4G path and create a TV dock that would allow your phone to power services — and render them properly — on your home TV. It would certainly be a cheaper option. Either way, Infinity Blade rendered on the big screen? Count us in.

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Software
March 21, 2011
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Apple issues OS X 10.6.7 update for early 2011 MacBook Pro models

By on March 21, 2011 at 7:41 PM.

Apple issues OS X 10.6.7 update for early 2011 MacBook Pro models

Apple has released OS X 10.6.7 for Mac computers, and it includes some stability, performance, and security enhancements. It also fixes display issues that have been plaguing early 2011 MacBook Pro models. The update should make the Back to My Mac software more reliable, resolves some issues that occurred while transferring files to SMB servers, addresses bugs related to FaceTime performance and the Mac App Store, and improves graphics stability and display compatibility when using your MacBook Pro with an external monitor. The entire update should be roughly 390MB in size and can be downloaded through Snow Leopard’s software update utility.

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Tablets
March 14, 2011
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Apple iPad 2 giveaway!

By on March 14, 2011 at 10:48 AM.

Apple iPad 2 giveaway!

Apple’s iPad 2 just launched on Friday but you’d be hard-pressed to find a single iPad 2 in stores. Virtually every Apple store, AT&T store, Verizon Wireless store, Best Buy, Target, and Walmart are sold out, and Apple’s online store is showing shipping times of up to one month — but we have you covered! We have an iPad 2 we’re giving away in typical BGR fashion, so you can FaceTime, GarageBand-create, iMovie-edit, and Safari-surf to your heart’s content. The model that’s up for grabs is a 64GB AT&T (3G) black iPad 2. Here are the contest rules!

  • To enter, drop a comment below letting us know why you should be the lucky winner of an iPad 2 that you can’t get anywhere else. Would it be your first Apple device? Did you get one of those $99 Android tablets and regret it ever since? Break it down for us!
  • Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter if you have accounts
  • The giveaway will run for one week until March 21st, at 11:59PM ET
  • The contest is open to everyone 18 years of age or older, and it is in an international contest — that’s right — if you’re reading this, there’s a good chance you’re eligible.

Good luck!

P.S. You can always follow our personal Twitter accounts, too! @boygenius, @andrewmunchbach, @zacharye, @robotodd.

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Opinions
March 2, 2011
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Apple’s iPad 2 might be ‘magical’ but it still should’ve been better

By on March 2, 2011 at 4:50 PM.

Apple’s iPad 2 might be ‘magical’ but it still should’ve been better

Apple’s latest media-rattling event has come and gone, and we’re now left to sort through all that magic and focus on the product itself. We also need to process any tidbits we might have missed amid the fracas. The star of the show was Apple’s new iPad 2, of course, and initial reactions are obviously overwhelmingly positive. In the end, we’re looking at a thin, sleek, sexy new tablet that will obviously sell like hotcakes. But is Apple’s new iPad 2 really the iPad it should have been? Hit the break for several key areas where Apple’s new iPad falls short. More →

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