Can iChat on Mac talk to iOS FaceTime devices

Question

Level 1

5 points

Can iChat on Mac talk to iOS FaceTime devices

I have Facetime on my iOS devices, as indeed many of my family and friends.

I also have installed FaceTime app on the iMac and I dont really like it. It does seem to fit in well with the Aspect ratio of the Mac Display. The contacts are in a black border etc. So I tend to use my iOS devices in FaceTime but feel that the mobile lack the control of the video. I have not 'upgraded' my sofwate to Mountain Lion which seems very based on mobile devices and iOS 6

As an old user of iChat in many versions I have client Buddy Lists which offered availability markers etc, even which in other Mac software applications for example Address Book.

Is it possible for a Mac based iChat to talk to iOS devices ?

Are there any advantages/disadvantages to me the user and/or my recipients.

Would upgrading to Mountain Lion provide a better FaceTime vs iChat experience.

I realise this is a highly subjective question but would welcome any views

iMac, Mac OS X (10.7.5), iMac G5 PPC, Macbook, Time Capsule, iPhone 3GS,

Posted on Jan 25, 2013 9:45 AM

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Answer 1

Jan 25, 2013 12:13 PM in response to Beano43

Hi,

Is it possible for a Mac based iChat to talk to iOS devices ?

No.

Well,... not iChat to FaceTime or Messages on the iOS device.

You could use AIM Express or a Jabber client app and at least Text chat.

FaceTime.

The Lion version has the same Video controls to set the pic Landscape or Portrait as the Mountain LIon version does. See Video Menu - you tend to have to be connected in a chat for it to go Dark)

FaceTime can chat (in Video only) to other Mac users using FaceTime or to iOS devices.

It cannot Video to Messages app (In iOS or the Mac Version)

Messages on the Mac in Mountain Lion

This adds the iMessaging ability to what is essentially the iChat app.

It uses the same iChat "Engine" if you like and adds in the iOS iMessages account to the other AIM and Jabber or Yahoo IDs and Names you may be using already.

If using the iMessages Account to connect to Contacts then Messages will Invoke (Start up) FaceTime for you if you want to Video chat.

The former "iChat Names" still use Buddy Lists and can Video within Messages like iChat can.

So...

Like iChat you cannot Video or Text chat from AIM to Jabber (Cross Service) you cannot chat from your iMessage account to AIM or Jabber (or Yahoo)

The iMessage account allows you to text chat to those people you might be FaceTiming to at the moment.

8:12 PM Friday; January 25, 2013

Please, if posting Logs, do not post any Log info after the line "Binary Images for iChat"

 iMac 2.5Ghz 5i 2011 (Mountain Lion 10.8.2)
 G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
 MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
 Mac OS X (10.6.8),
 Couple of iPhones and an iPad
"Limit the Logs to the Bits above Binary Images."  No, Seriously

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Answer 2

Beano43 Author

Level 1

5 points

Jan 25, 2013 8:09 PM in response to Beano43

Thanks Ralph

This clarified some issues which have been "bugging" me since initially try the beta iMessage service, on Lion several months ago.

Beano

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Answer 3

Jan 26, 2013 12:50 PM in response to Beano43

No Problem.

for the Points

8:50 PM Saturday; January 26, 2013

Please, if posting Logs, do not post any Log info after the line "Binary Images for iChat"

 iMac 2.5Ghz 5i 2011 (Mountain Lion 10.8.2)
 G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
 MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
 Mac OS X (10.6.8),
 Couple of iPhones and an iPad
"Limit the Logs to the Bits above Binary Images."  No, Seriously

Reply