FaceTime – Apple’s video calling feature for iPhone 4 users is currently restricted to work only over Wi-Fi in iOS 4.x.x.
Steve Jobs had mentioned during his keynote address at WWDC 2010 that Apple is in talks with carriers to support the feature on 3G as well.
It looks like Apple has managed to finally convince some of the carriers as folks at 9to5Mac have just reported that it will be possible to make FaceTime video calls over 3G.
9to5Mac has received a screenshot, which indicates that Apple will enable this feature for carriers that allow it.
If the final version of iOS 5 includes this feature then it should also be available for iPad 2 3G users.
Jailbreak tweaks like My3G already allow iPhone 4 users to make FaceTime video calls over 3G and tweaks like FaceTime Activator and MiddleWhat that enable the feature in unsupported countries like UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, etc.
Strangely, while FaceTime has been restricted over Wi-Fi, Apple has approved apps like Fring that support video calling features such as four-way group video calls over 3G.
It will be interesting to see if FaceTime video calls over 3G will be enabled for AT&T and Verizon iPhone 4 users. What do you think?
It doesn’t make any sense. First, they put in FT without 3G use (and At&t dropped unlimited data). Now that they’ve added running FT on 3G, what if there’s no wifi, won’t the FT cause massive use of data on At&t’s capped data which in turn results to massive amount of revenue for at&t on the overage fees. This is just stupid. jailbreakers stir clear of IOS 5. All this claimed functionality are nothing new to older ios users.
*regardless, help support the eradication of poverty and suppression.
Just because they enabled FT over 3g doesn’t mean you have to use it. Use some common sense. IOS5 is an excellent update.
How do you know IOS5 is an excellent update, it isn’t out yet? Yeah, well, beta, but that’s not to the masses.
Data plans are gonna suffer on this.
OK guys, one thing you need to realize it’s really up the GAY AT&T allowing us to use 3G with face-time. This is probably whats going to happen, we either PAY an extra fee to use it over the network, or we just not get it at all since according we are using way too much bandwidth and use jb app. While everyone else (this means other than at&t) gets to use it with no restrictions.
We pay for our data, why should we have to pay extra to use it the way we want?
I hope it goes through! but if not…another reason to stick with jailbreak!!
Enabling FT over 3g was an awesome thing in my opinion, did you used it before as fast as before?
I constantly FT over 3g with 3G unrestrictor. I can tell NO difference between that and wifi. And Att sucks in Tulsa. So I don’t know.
Yep, buddy. Yet another reason not to update. cydia 3g unrestrictor does it just all right. Once Att allows it, there might come a price, yet there might also be an intent to get it not to run efficiently via 3g just to discourage FT data use or prolonged FT use over 3g.
LOL WHAT JOHN SAID AND I THINK THIS IS GREAT BUT APPLE LATE LIKE ALWAYS CUZ THIS IS ALREADY AVAILABLE IN CYDIA BUT APPLE DOES TAKE NOTES FROM TWEAKS FOUND IN CYDIA LATE BUT GOOD JOB
I f use my3g to face time with my son on his iPod 4g all the time over 3G and my data doesnt rise much
I am on AT&T’s unlimited plan but still monitor my data
If apple only brings out an app killer like the remove background option on sbs setting then I will have no reason to jailbreak ever again
Skype already offers free video over 3G. Don’t understand why FT restricted to wifi. Regarding capped data plans, I believe the plan caps will increase as 4g becomes available – eg, 4 gig instead of 2 gig. More competition would bring in unlimited again. Tmobile-ATT merger will kill unlimited data plans.
Maybe AT&T will become smart and upgrade their networks so they can bring back unlimited data to their customers. This way features like FaceTime over 3G would not matter.
Children under 13 should be supervised. Blame their parents. Senior citizens will not likely be using an iphone. Aside from this, facetime can be turned off and settings locked. I stick with my original comment, use common sense.
I totally agree with you. But let’s be honest. Most of the comment posters on this website rival those of most YouTube videos. Not a whole lot of common sense (or English skills) exist in this neighborhood.