Using Facetime: How easy it is!

If you have an iPhone, you probably use FaceTime. For those new to the game, FaceTime is Apple’s video call service (like skype) that works between Apple devices only. You can use it on Mac computers as well as your iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch. It’s a terrific service showing high definition video and is very easy to use.

To get started, you’ll need an Apple ID to set up FaceTime. This app is standard on all iDevices and Macs but just in case you don’t have it, download it from the app store. The Apple ground rules are: you need OS X 10.7 and above and camera, either one in on your iDevice or Mac or a third party webcam.

So without further ado, here’s how we FaceTime

Setting Up FaceTime

• To start, log in with your Apple ID and password
• Enter an email. This is how others call you
  • Your email ID doesn’t have to be the same as your Apple ID
  • For iPhones, it’s usually your phone number
• To avoid the hassle of different ids on different Apple devices, use the same ID for FaceTime on all your devices
  • You will receive calls on all your Mac computers
• To change the email address simply by log out and choose another email address through Settings

  

Making Calls

Using FaceTime is simple. Contacts are called from inside the Contacts app or directly using the FaceTime app.

1. Open FaceTime and search for the person you want to call
2. Click on their number or email
   1. One person can have multiple contact points
   2. Choose the camera or the phone icon
3. Your call initiates and you see yourself in the camera window
4. Once the other person accepts the call, their video appears
5. Start your conversation

Why FaceTime is the best

FaceTime is a lot of fun! On iMacs and Macs, the big screen displays an amazing quality picture and gives a face to your conversations. Once your conversation starts, the window frames fades away so that you have no distractions during your call. You see what you look like during the call with a small picture inside your friend’s picture.

If you receive call and are not on FaceTime, a message appears letting you know a call is incoming. Once you set-up your account, you will never miss a call again as long as you are near one of your devices and it is on. If you decide to stop getting calls, simply turn it off in preferences.

FaceTime supports calls up to 720X1280 pixels or 720P High-Definition Video. The onboard camera on Mac computers supports wide screen so many people can fit in the frame.

For those with Apple Watches, watchOS  allows Apple Watch users to make FaceTime audio calls from their wrists.  The Apple Watch must connect to the same Apple ID used on the iOS companion iPhone to have access to the FaceTime calling service.

With FaceTime, you call with just one click! It’s that easy. Whether they have a Mac, iPhone, iPod, or iPad, calling is simple. If all parties use Apple devices, using FaceTime has great advantages over skype or similar video call apps. Apple’s FaceTime is so much more beautiful and elegant so opt for it whenever you can!