Why isn't there a Facetime app for android?

[spottyelephant]

...seeing as it's an open standard, it would kinda make sense.

I know,ye, there's loads of alternatives, but that's irrelevant because I would simply like an android facetime app that can chat with my iPhone owning mates who are only going to use Facetime, no matter how much they are told about other alternatives.

Do you reckon it'll come?

 

[A.Nonymous]

Given that there are zero Apple apps for Android (not surprisingly either) I would say it will come December 22, 2012. Since when is Facetime an open standard? I was under the impression that Apple doesn't let any other apps including Skype utilize the front facing camera. Am I incorrect there?

 

[daniel1956]

Given that there are zero Apple apps for Android (not surprisingly either) I would say it will come December 22, 2012. Since when is Facetime an open standard? I was under the impression that Apple doesn't let any other apps including Skype utilize the front facing camera. Am I incorrect there?

I have talked with my son using Tango. He has an IPhone with a front facing camera. and I have an EVO. It works pretty well.

 

[Martimus]

I wasn't aware that Facetime was an open standard...

 

[Hrethgir]

I wasn't aware that Facetime was an open standard...

That's because it's not.

 

[A.Nonymous]

That's because it's not.

But I thought Apple is one of the most open platforms around. That's what Jobs always says.

 

[Hrethgir]

But I thought Apple is one of the most open platforms around. That's what Jobs always says.

LOL, true enough! So I guess Opposite land is located in Cupertino, CA then. I've always wondered!

 

[spottyelephant]

That's because it's not.

Oh my bad, not YET

Apple is working towards making FaceTime an open video standard so it will work across a variety of platforms.

Apple Introduces FaceTime Video Chat For iPhone 4​

and another source


...hopefully we'll see it happen. The more interoprability between the platforms, the better.

 

[brownhornet]

Doesnt facetime only work on wifi? Why would you want that?

 

[Mechromancer]

Tango works on iOS and Android so an iPhone 4 users and Android user can talk to each other in a Facetime-like manner. GET TANGO!

PS: I wish my Captivate had a front facing camera .

 

[tsahil]

spottyelephant,
Thanks for linking back to my post about the openness of FaceTime.
There's a roundup I did about FaceTime, which effectively explains the innerworkings of it: FaceTime Roundup: Posts From The Web - VoIP Survivor

In short, Apple isn't going to open up FaceTime for 3rd party developers anytime soon or let Android devices connect with FaceTime. The only way to connect video calls between the two is by third party apps such as Tango, Skype or others.
It's a shame, but I don't think it will change any time soon.
Apple might try to standardize their FaceTime solution, but they will closely guard the connectivity into their network through their push notification server, where call initiation is handled.

Tsahi

 

[spottyelephant]

Thanks for clarifying that Tsahi .

I just thought it was weird because they launched it with the intention of it being an Open Standard that they hoped industry would adopt.

Hopefully Skype gets in the quick with a similarily slick video calling capability that is truely cross-platform.

I have too many friends around the world i wanna keep in contact with, and there's just no hope of dragging them all over to a new service like Tango or something!

 

[rkkeller]

Skype, like Apples FaceTime is limited to wifi only so not good if you ask me. If your going to sit at home and chat over wifi you might as well just use a computer and higher quality webcam.

 

[JunBringer]

Fring works pretty well. I'd try that, since we have little hope of getting FacetimeDroid.

 

[Rambler358]

And Yahoo! Messenger w/Video is now also available:
Yahoo Updates Messenger & Mail for Android, Here Comes Video Chat | Android Phone Fans

I believe it's cross-platform as well.

 

[A.Nonymous]

Am I the only one who doesn't want to see the person I'm talking to on the phone?

 

[Rambler358]

Am I the only one who doesn't want to see the person I'm talking to on the phone?

I enjoy looking at my pretty girlfriend.