I don’t believe Microsoft could have fit anything else into CES this year without the entire building expanding, providing the audience with insights into what’s coming and what’s to be expected. There were many key products announced while all things Windows Phone 7 left many slightly disappointed.
A Microsoft employee threw some comments about where the mobile platform may head from here on out. A feature that was discussed is an application sharing the same concept as FaceTime. However, the obvious observation being that no WP7 device currently has a front-facing camera. Could be a new feature for future WP7 devices, or a WP8 requirement? A front-facing camera for WP8 has been hinted at.
One feature of the iPhone that owners are extremely pleased with (and is the reason as to why some wont switch) is FaceTime – a family member came round my house with her new iPhone 4 the other day needing assistance with setting it up. It is pretty impressive, wandering around talking and watching someone who is doing the exact same thing, only thousands of miles away.
Microsoft may be slightly behind in the smart phone marathon, but they are pulling out all guns and a FaceTime feature for Windows Live wouldn’t be surprising, which would make a partnership with Skype less likely. The service they offer through Live is growing along with its user-base (I, myself have barely used it prior to WP7) and integrating services such as this would be a huge plus, especially for the platform itself.
Source: NeoWin
Comments
Once Microsoft is done developing a Live Messenger client I think we will see video-calling support. It was probably something they couldn't have finished by launch. I don't like the idea of a Skype partnership. Skype can make their own app that supports the front-facing camera.
I wish Microsoft would develop a real, usable chat app for Windows Phone 7 that at least covered their own Live Messenger Service (the 3rd party app in the Marketplace is junk). Ideally, a chat app that integrated and included Facebook Chat and Google Chat would be perfect. Then top it off with background tasking and live tile/push alerts.And only then will I be satisfied to see Microsoft working on video chat. Personally, I think Facetime is the biggest gimmick to come to mobile phones since the ringback tone. I would never use it, along with many others, as evidenced by the time-and-again attempts of telephone service providers to introduce videophones since the Ma Bell days of the 1950s. Microsoft needs to get caught up on the basics before they begin looking at useless features like a Facetime ripoff. Being that Facetime has already been done, nobody will be impressed if they do introduce it anyway.
I agree with both of your opinions, I am hoping for an IM by Microsoft to hit the Marketplace, although Messenger by Miyowa isn't too bad as a temporary solution. I also agree that a FaceTime type service from Microsoft (with the feature on our phones) would be useless to many owners, however, a good number of people enjoy such service.
Microsoft is sooo obviously going to tie in LIVE video chat with XBox Kinect and WP7. That's where the "gimmick factor" will take it a step higher than Apple.But yeah, video conferencing always sounds great. In reality...it's just awkward.