Apple is known for maintaining a closed ecosystem around its most relevant functions or applications. However, during their Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC, for its acronym in English) they announced an important exception, since in the iOS 15 version, FaceTime will be able to be used on Android and Windows devices.
Although the application will not reach these phones and computers, but will be launched through your browser, it represents an interesting move for the company, since behind this extension is Apple’s interest in making this function one of the most important videoconferencing services on the market.
According to figures revealed by the, FaceTime ranks as the second most popular messaging / video conferencing application in the United States, only behind Facebook Messenger, which has 87% popularity.
The data also shows that its taste among users is on the same level as Zoom, the application that during the first months of the pandemic became a sensation for family gatherings, work or for online classes.
Therefore, the statistical analysis firm points out, this decision is geared towards making FaceTime a more serious competitor to Zoom, Skype or Messenger, which have been open to cross-platform use for a long time.
“Opening the service to non-Apple users could go a long way toward further developing the scope of the service, particularly outside the United States, where FaceTime is not as widely used as it is in Apple’s local market,” says Felix. Richter, a senior data journalist at Statista.
In addition to the possibility of being used on other devices, FaceTime will also have new functions such as spatial audio, to feel that the person is in the same place and make more comfortable calls, or voice isolation, which prioritizes the person over the ambient sound .
This app will also have new display options, such as placing a grid of people who are chatting. In addition, it will be possible to share experiences such as music or movies through SharePlay, which works in both Apple and third-party apps. Some services included in the feature are Disney +, HBO Max, Paramount +, Twitch and Amazon Music, among others.
The support of these great streaming services is also extremely important, as they ensure that users are not left out; however, it is worth mentioning the notable absence of Netflix within this catalog.
