Daily Bits

FaceTime

Apple iPhone 4 It Is!

by

So the keynote speech that Steve Jobs gave might not have gone flawlessly. From what the guys at Gizmodo have been saying – it was a funny event due to the technical glitches that were encountered. Check out the video for yourself, and tell me it isn’t ironic.

Despite that funny clip, I have to say that I am wow-ed by the iPhone 4. Yup, count me in as one of the boys – the fanboys!

You might think that I am being irrational at this point, but let’s take a look at why, if you’re buying a new phone, the Apple iPhone it should be.

One, it has multi-tasking capabilities now. No need to go to the home screen to use another app. Just like your “powerful” little netbook, you can switch from one app to another with ease!

Two, it has got FaceTime. Nah, it’s not a Facebook app. In fact, this is the new feature that allows video calling. In line with this, the new iPhone has two cameras – back and front – that will make video calling even more convenient!

Three, you gotta have the Retina Display. This technology makes the iPhone 4 the best mobile phone when it comes to screen resolution. It really doesn’t get any better than this (yet)!

Four, I think this is the best looking iPhone yet. It exudes machismo which no other phone out there can beat. And, it’s the kind of machismo that does not offend.

Yep folks, it’s the Apple iPhone 4 for me.

Originally posted on June 9, 2010 @ 2:09 pm

iPhone Skype Video Calling App Now Available!

by

The guys at Skype have got a nice Christmas present for iPhone users – albeit a belated one. Skype just announced the availability of a new app for the iPhone that will allow users to do video calls – something that many people have been waiting for for a while now. There is FaceTime for the iPhone, yes, but that only works when both users are on Wi-Fi and not 3G. With this new Skype app, though, iPhone users do not need to connect to Wi-Fi and can use 3G to make video calls!

While the app does have its limitations, such as video calls only working with Skype-to-Skype calls, it seems to be ahead of FaceTime in many different aspects. For one, the amount of data used by Skype video calls is much less than FaceTime. Skype does recommend that the app be used over Wi-Fi for “best results”.

More good news – the app will work on the following devices:

  • iPhone 4
  • iPhone 3GS
  • 3rd generation iPod touch
  • 4th generation iPod touch
  • iPad

Of course, the other party will not be able to see you if you’re using the iPad, but with rumors about the iPad 2 coming soon, it shouldn’t be much of an issue.

You ought to be aware that additional charges may – and probably will – apply when the app is used over 3G.  Still, it should not be too bad since the data usage is not supposed to be that high.  Then again, you might want to take it easy when you first use it so as to avoid unpleasant surprises when your phone bill arrives.  For more information, visit the Skype Help Page.

Photo via Unwired View