Can FaceTime Revitalize Video Conferencing?
Posted on Tue, Aug 10, 2010
I've been going back and forth on comparing
"FaceTime", Apple's new video calling application, to what we consider normal video conferencing. Will this simple application eventually take over those large systems that the corporate world uses, or will it only be used for personal use. FaceTime will expose many into the world of video conferencing, but will it be a temporary trend or will it make some realize they need to purchase the real conferencing equipment to help them in their businesses and day to day lives. I have come up with some Pro's and Con's about Apple's FaceTime:
PROS
- Easy use for the young and the elderly
- It's available at any time in the palm of your hand
- Super affordable compared to a fully serviced video conferencing system
- You don't need large video conferencing equipment to make it connect, just an iPhone 4
- Calls will be more personal with eye contact than with all that texting going on
CONS
- You have to own an iPhone 4 and know someone else who owns one
- iPhone is only available through Apple and is carried exclusively by At&t, there are no other carriers that can provide FaceTime right now
- You can only video chat using FaceTime and no other applications (IM, MSN) will pick this up on the iPhone
- It doesn't work across a variety of phones and wireless networks
- Not a very professional way to connect to a group of clients in a single room
Author:
Julie Bertok