Skype will likely be the standard now with availability across several platforms and devices. With Facetime still restricted to only iOS devices, it really will be of limited use to those trying to stay in touch with extended family and friends often using non-Apple devices.
I have no idea why Apple never bothered following thru with making Facetime an open standard as promised, but with MS purchase of Skype I wouldn't be surprised to see Apple let it quietly vanish.
How clueless can you possibly be? Skype is already cross platform. And Apple has released Facetime to the entire community for free as an open standard. And you don't understand that? It is NOT RESTRICTED to iOS devices. And the number of tech companies and consumers that hate MSFT will bode very well for Facetime. Please, go get yourself a good education.
Apple needs to step it up already and update iChat. They really left it behind. iChat with facetime and available on all platforms can compete with Skype.
How clueless can you possibly be? Skype is already cross platform. And Apple has released Facetime to the entire community for free as an open standard. And you don't understand that? It is NOT RESTRICTED to iOS devices. And the number of tech companies and consumers that hate MSFT will bode very well for Facetime. Please, go get yourself a good education.
Well aware that Skype is cross-platform. Not aware that Facetime has been released to the open-source community. Source please?
If Apple expands FaceTime to cover everything Skype does (Audio only calls and multiplatform, mostly), it will be able to beat Skype quite easily, IMO. Especially now that Skype is aligned with MS, and will have inevitable transitional pains.
Skype does more than just audio and video. It also allows you to call regular phones for a very small extremely competitive price. Basically for $30 a year, I get unlimited calling in North America (including mobile phones). This is what made Skype indispensable tool for me. I'm sad to see it go, since really there aren't any viable alternatives yet that do all these things as well.
Also, Skype unlike any other client tunnels through port 80 (reserved for HTTP traffic and normally open on ALL corporate firewalls), so you can actually use Skype even when you are at (usually very restrictive) work environment.
8.5 billion for for a service that loses money annually.
LOL - they are paying 8.5 Billion for a service that already works on windoze. they could have just started / expanded a strategic alliance for FREE. Horrible company run by an absolute moron.
Microsoft owns 5% of Facebook. They have a bunch of exclusive deals and agreements together.
Facebook is integrated into Bing.
Facebook is integrated into WP7.
Facebook is integrated into Windows Live.
Facebook is integrated into Live Mail.
Facebook is integrated into Microsoft Office/Outlook.
Probably the most telling is that Facebook is already integrated into Messenger.... yup, Facebook contacts, updates and chat is already built right into the core of Windows Live Messenger aka soon to be... ahh... "Microsoft Windows Live Skype Facebook Messenger Series 2" ...
You're looking at it backwards.
Facebook is integrated into all kinds of things that aren't made by Microsoft as well, Microsoft in no way "owns" Facebook or has any pull there.
When you look at their financials, Microsoft is very clearly on the decline. They made good profit last year but their growth has slowed substantially and even stopped by some metrics.
they'll do what they ALWAYS do...they'll maker it a buggy, useless POS for Mac users, if they even bring one out for us. They'll probably leave it as it is, and jut upgrade us out of the picture.
Will MS axe compatibility between OS versions? Will they try to close out iOS and Mac OS? Put out special features for Windows only?
This is how they gained dominance on the desktop, using IE to marginalize competing OS and browsers.
It is a sad day for longtime Skype users.
I think you are completely wrong. Look at Bing, it works no better on IE than it does on any other browser or platform. They've even recently announced a deal with RIM for it to be the default search provider. Plus the Bing app is out on the iPad before their own tablets. Microsoft may add more features to their own platform versions first but it doesn't mean their going to drop the others. If anything I think Skype users can expect in the not to distant future that they will be able to skype someone on Windows Live Messenger or Xbox live rather than the current restrictions.
Recently Microsoft appear to actually be thinking well in terms of long term dominance, better than Apple in some respects. They seem to have got the fact that if you wan't to have the best OS either for Desktop or Mobile you need to have some sort of control over the services people use. i.e. Their search engine, maps provider, chat provider etc. Because that way you can make sure your devices have the best utilisation of them. MS is gaining ground far better than I would ever expect with Bing and now not only can WP7 gain native Windows Live Messenger but also Skype.
What services do Apple have? Answer none. Example, has the Maps app been updated in the last 4 years? No.
I think there's still room for Facetime. I recently set up Skype on my parents' windows machine to do video chat. It's very unintuitive. Every time we try to video chat, I have to call them on the phone first and walk them through getting it running and connected.
What’s with people calling this a FaceTime killer? Do you guys hate Apple so much that you think anything MS does is automatically going to destroy parts of Apple?
Let’s examine some facts… Skype runs on pretty much every platform already. FaceTime came into being long after Skype was created. FaceTime was created as a way to easily connect devices to one another without any special setup.
So tell me how does this deal automatically kills FaceTime for iOS users or how FaceTime is any different position than it was yesterday in regards to VoIP competitors? While you’re making shit up tell me why FaceTime can’t finally be shown as open source?
Apple needs to put out Facetime for Windows, period. I don't understand why they're waiting so long...I use Skype because no one I know has a Mac, but if they could use Facetime on their PCs, I could convince all of them to switch.
And I really don't see Facebook and Facetime pairing up. If Apple strike a deal with Facebook to get Ping going - not encouraging.
Facebook is integrated into all kinds of things that aren't made by Microsoft as well, Microsoft in no way "owns" Facebook or has any pull there.
There certainly are a lot of other companies that integrate products with Facebook... just not as much as Microsoft.
I don't think Microsoft needs any "pull" at Facebook if the two alternatives are Skype and FaceTime as Skype is the logical choice.
The other alternative, not mentioned by either of us, is that Facebook will simply develop their own solution. I certainly wouldn't rule that out. It could even end up being the most likely scenario.
While you?re making shit up tell me why FaceTime can?t finally be shown as open source?
Besides the fact it's never been ratified by any open standards body, with no technical spec's yet released by Apple? Or perhaps it could be that all access to FaceTime is controlled by Apple alone?
Besides the fact it's never been ratified by any open standards body, with no technical spec's yet released by Apple? Or perhaps it could be that all access to FaceTime is controlled by Apple alone?
So because it hasn?t been done it can?t ever be done, or did you fail to comprehend what was written yet again?
What?s with people calling this a FaceTime killer?
...
So tell me how does this deal automatically kills FaceTime.
It doesn't kill FaceTime, but it does have the potential to kill the dream of FaceTime being the ubiquitous video-chat platform some people thought it would be.
Yesterday FaceTime was helping iDevice owners communicate with other iDevice owners. Today it's still doing the same thing. In the future it will continue to do the same thing.
However, now I can't see it ever becoming the dominant video-chat platform outside of Apple.
The last hope for FaceTime to be adopted outside of Apple-to-Apple communications will be dashed if the Facebook/Skype rumor plays out.
The next question to ask is "does any of this matter to Apple"... and I don't think it does.
If they want to continue to nail Apple-to-Apple communications they have FaceTime. If they want to communicate with other devices they can choose to license Skype.
Comments
This probably bodes ill for Facetime.
Skype will likely be the standard now with availability across several platforms and devices. With Facetime still restricted to only iOS devices, it really will be of limited use to those trying to stay in touch with extended family and friends often using non-Apple devices.
I have no idea why Apple never bothered following thru with making Facetime an open standard as promised, but with MS purchase of Skype I wouldn't be surprised to see Apple let it quietly vanish.
How clueless can you possibly be? Skype is already cross platform. And Apple has released Facetime to the entire community for free as an open standard. And you don't understand that? It is NOT RESTRICTED to iOS devices. And the number of tech companies and consumers that hate MSFT will bode very well for Facetime. Please, go get yourself a good education.
How clueless can you possibly be? Skype is already cross platform. And Apple has released Facetime to the entire community for free as an open standard. And you don't understand that? It is NOT RESTRICTED to iOS devices. And the number of tech companies and consumers that hate MSFT will bode very well for Facetime. Please, go get yourself a good education.
Well aware that Skype is cross-platform. Not aware that Facetime has been released to the open-source community. Source please?
If Apple expands FaceTime to cover everything Skype does (Audio only calls and multiplatform, mostly), it will be able to beat Skype quite easily, IMO. Especially now that Skype is aligned with MS, and will have inevitable transitional pains.
Skype does more than just audio and video. It also allows you to call regular phones for a very small extremely competitive price. Basically for $30 a year, I get unlimited calling in North America (including mobile phones). This is what made Skype indispensable tool for me. I'm sad to see it go, since really there aren't any viable alternatives yet that do all these things as well.
Also, Skype unlike any other client tunnels through port 80 (reserved for HTTP traffic and normally open on ALL corporate firewalls), so you can actually use Skype even when you are at (usually very restrictive) work environment.
LOL.
8.5 billion for for a service that loses money annually.
LOL - they are paying 8.5 Billion for a service that already works on windoze. they could have just started / expanded a strategic alliance for FREE. Horrible company run by an absolute moron.
You're tripping dude
Microsoft owns 5% of Facebook. They have a bunch of exclusive deals and agreements together.
Facebook is integrated into Bing.
Facebook is integrated into WP7.
Facebook is integrated into Windows Live.
Facebook is integrated into Live Mail.
Facebook is integrated into Microsoft Office/Outlook.
Probably the most telling is that Facebook is already integrated into Messenger.... yup, Facebook contacts, updates and chat is already built right into the core of Windows Live Messenger aka soon to be... ahh... "Microsoft Windows Live Skype Facebook Messenger Series 2" ...
You're looking at it backwards.
Facebook is integrated into all kinds of things that aren't made by Microsoft as well, Microsoft in no way "owns" Facebook or has any pull there.
When you look at their financials, Microsoft is very clearly on the decline. They made good profit last year but their growth has slowed substantially and even stopped by some metrics.
It's the beginning of a long slow slide to irrelevance for them.
Tying your fate to Microsoft is the equivalent of tying a mill stone around your neck and jumping in the creek and Zuckerboy isn't that dumb.
Too bad. Come on Facetime!
Cheers,
Cameron
There goes Skype
Will MS axe compatibility between OS versions? Will they try to close out iOS and Mac OS? Put out special features for Windows only?
This is how they gained dominance on the desktop, using IE to marginalize competing OS and browsers.
It is a sad day for longtime Skype users.
I think you are completely wrong. Look at Bing, it works no better on IE than it does on any other browser or platform. They've even recently announced a deal with RIM for it to be the default search provider. Plus the Bing app is out on the iPad before their own tablets. Microsoft may add more features to their own platform versions first but it doesn't mean their going to drop the others. If anything I think Skype users can expect in the not to distant future that they will be able to skype someone on Windows Live Messenger or Xbox live rather than the current restrictions.
Recently Microsoft appear to actually be thinking well in terms of long term dominance, better than Apple in some respects. They seem to have got the fact that if you wan't to have the best OS either for Desktop or Mobile you need to have some sort of control over the services people use. i.e. Their search engine, maps provider, chat provider etc. Because that way you can make sure your devices have the best utilisation of them. MS is gaining ground far better than I would ever expect with Bing and now not only can WP7 gain native Windows Live Messenger but also Skype.
What services do Apple have? Answer none. Example, has the Maps app been updated in the last 4 years? No.
Let’s examine some facts… Skype runs on pretty much every platform already. FaceTime came into being long after Skype was created. FaceTime was created as a way to easily connect devices to one another without any special setup.
So tell me how does this deal automatically kills FaceTime for iOS users or how FaceTime is any different position than it was yesterday in regards to VoIP competitors? While you’re making shit up tell me why FaceTime can’t finally be shown as open source?
Who is the big winner here? Silver Lake...bought Skype for under 3B in 2009...sold it to MS 2 yrs later for 8.5B...wow.
Silver Lake are the winners and consumers may end up being the biggest losers here.
And I really don't see Facebook and Facetime pairing up. If Apple strike a deal with Facebook to get Ping going - not encouraging.
Facebook is integrated into all kinds of things that aren't made by Microsoft as well, Microsoft in no way "owns" Facebook or has any pull there.
There certainly are a lot of other companies that integrate products with Facebook... just not as much as Microsoft.
I don't think Microsoft needs any "pull" at Facebook if the two alternatives are Skype and FaceTime as Skype is the logical choice.
The other alternative, not mentioned by either of us, is that Facebook will simply develop their own solution. I certainly wouldn't rule that out. It could even end up being the most likely scenario.
While you?re making shit up tell me why FaceTime can?t finally be shown as open source?
Besides the fact it's never been ratified by any open standards body, with no technical spec's yet released by Apple? Or perhaps it could be that all access to FaceTime is controlled by Apple alone?
Besides the fact it's never been ratified by any open standards body, with no technical spec's yet released by Apple? Or perhaps it could be that all access to FaceTime is controlled by Apple alone?
So because it hasn?t been done it can?t ever be done, or did you fail to comprehend what was written yet again?
What?s with people calling this a FaceTime killer?
...
So tell me how does this deal automatically kills FaceTime.
It doesn't kill FaceTime, but it does have the potential to kill the dream of FaceTime being the ubiquitous video-chat platform some people thought it would be.
Yesterday FaceTime was helping iDevice owners communicate with other iDevice owners. Today it's still doing the same thing. In the future it will continue to do the same thing.
However, now I can't see it ever becoming the dominant video-chat platform outside of Apple.
The last hope for FaceTime to be adopted outside of Apple-to-Apple communications will be dashed if the Facebook/Skype rumor plays out.
The next question to ask is "does any of this matter to Apple"... and I don't think it does.
If they want to continue to nail Apple-to-Apple communications they have FaceTime. If they want to communicate with other devices they can choose to license Skype.
Not sure why they paid 8.5 billion for Skype when they could have gotten it for 10 billion.
No kidding. Huge fan of the overspending.
You mean the blue screen of voice.
How does that even make sense?