Rumor: FaceTime group video calls to debut in iOS 11
Potentially fulfilling a long-standing iPhone and iPad feature request, FaceTime might finally support group video calls with iOS 11, a report claimed on Friday.
Following the release cycle of past iOS debuts, iOS 11 will be announced in June and make "social" elements like FaceTime and Messages a focus, Israeli site The Verifier said, citing sources familiar with iOS development. In particular, group video calls are supposedly set for introduction in the next-generation operating system.
According to sources, users will have to initiative a group FaceTime video call from a group chat in Messages. Up to five people should be able to participate.
A June announcement would coincide with Apple's annual Worldwide Developers Conference. The event typically focuses on OS updates planned to ship later in the year, giving developers an early glimpse at them and a chance to build or update apps with support.
The Verifier is a relatively unknown site, but group video calls are already a common feature in other iOS communications apps such as Google Hangouts and Microsoft's Skype.
FaceTime has been limited to one-to-one communication since its 2010 debut, despite improvements in processor speeds and network bandwidth. That Apple has dragged its feet on multi-user video chat integration has given breathing room to third-party apps, even though FaceTime is for many the de facto video calling solution for iOS and macOS.
Following the release cycle of past iOS debuts, iOS 11 will be announced in June and make "social" elements like FaceTime and Messages a focus, Israeli site The Verifier said, citing sources familiar with iOS development. In particular, group video calls are supposedly set for introduction in the next-generation operating system.
According to sources, users will have to initiative a group FaceTime video call from a group chat in Messages. Up to five people should be able to participate.
A June announcement would coincide with Apple's annual Worldwide Developers Conference. The event typically focuses on OS updates planned to ship later in the year, giving developers an early glimpse at them and a chance to build or update apps with support.
The Verifier is a relatively unknown site, but group video calls are already a common feature in other iOS communications apps such as Google Hangouts and Microsoft's Skype.
FaceTime has been limited to one-to-one communication since its 2010 debut, despite improvements in processor speeds and network bandwidth. That Apple has dragged its feet on multi-user video chat integration has given breathing room to third-party apps, even though FaceTime is for many the de facto video calling solution for iOS and macOS.
Comments
I remember years ago iPhone users wanting photo booth for iPhone.
if Apple want iPad sales to pick up again, it really needs to work on productivity and integration in the workplace. So sure, group chat FaceTime, but make it definitely work with Windows too (maybe via Skype to get around the IT gatekeepers at workplaces, who would never support a second protocol, especially an Apple one. I am constantly fighting wars to replace iPads with Surface pros. It will be game over for me once Surface Pros get GPS).
More 'social'? I just can't wait for the emojis Cue and co will Cook up next.😬😝 How about serious investment in improving productivity and workplace integration? Right off the top of my head:
- Group chat FaceTime with Skype compatibility (heck only because it's on topic)
- multiuser accounts
- ability to query a file system within apps and through some kind of manager app but open to something really clever
- More window frames or ability to switch between app and app windows more easily
- Easily copy and paste multiple files into mail messages ( in fact generally ios10 mail Interface is actually confusing to a lot of people)
- USBC port
- mouse/trackpad input
- something to make it harder to lose an Apple pencil
Yeah some of that is hardware but Apple used to be the company that made that hardware and software all work together in magical ways. It is well past time it remembered that. Like the Airpods, a great example of what Apple can be, but something bigger. Needs more bigness.It's about (Face)time!!