adellelijah

Just a couple of years ago, Skype took hold of the video chatting world making it easier than the traditional AOL AIM client. Google's Chat made it easy with a quick installation of a browser plug-in, then Apple's iChat came along creating conference calling. Now Apple ups the bar yet again at WWDC 2010 with a new form of communication called FaceTime. How awesome is it that with a touch of a finger, Apple calls it "one-tap," one can be connected to your family, friends and loved ones and have...well, FaceTime! No more pee-pee-ing or poopie phone calls but I fathom they will occur. But for now, lets just keep our minds G-Rated for the sake of sanity. In 2005, I moved across the country and never got around to buying an Apple laptop for my significant other; one with a built in camera. Granted I didn't have a newer one either so instead, I bought her a Logitech Webcam. It has worked well for the past few years, but only if 1) she wants to connect it to her laptop and 2) if its actually within reaching distance. I had to set everything up myself and do all the "initial" connecting and even give a pep talk into convincing her it was going to be legendary! It took too much effort, but the end result was worth it.

Now, with iPhone 4 to iPhone 4, FaceTime is going to provide no excuse! Note that there has to be an available & open Wi-Fi connection nearby to initiate this feature. Without FaceTime over the cellular network, I am highly confident that Starbucks, Barnes and Nobles, Coffee Bean and other free and popular Wi-Fi hotspots are going to be much more active because of this handicap necessity. Particularly, hotels that offer free Wi-Fi are going to be able to advertise that if you're an iPhone 4 user, you can stay connected to your family even when poolside or at the hotel gym! They might even think of carrying them in a rental capacity! Bringing it home, when I'm flying around the country with a crappy schedule, I won't miss the famed homerun, soccer goal or 3 point buzzer beater. Not even the birthday parties, first steps or anything of the sorts (this is all pending if a MiFi card or "wireless hotspot" will be able to initiate a FaceTime connection) will be able to escape my absence. Bottom line, life just got a whole lot more exciting, easier and forgiving.

To hold you over until June 24th, check out the awesome FaceTime video that Apple has put up @ http://www.apple.com/iphone/features/facetime.html#facetime-video

Video summary: Babies, couples separated by military duty, and even a deaf couple communicating through the iPhone 4 w/ FaceTime! It's almost heart wrenching and joyous at the same time!

Oh yeah, there's a new Apple app for the iPhone 4 called iMovie where I can edit my HD videos!