Apple’s latest beta version of iOS 4.1 has an extra added feature concerning FaceTime. Soon, you’ll be able to initiate FaceTime calls to phone numbers or email addresses.
What does that mean to you? Apple’s about to update the iPod touch and possible the iPad with front facing cameras, that’s what. Why else would you need to be able to link a FaceTime account to an email address? All iPhones already have phone numbers, so the only reason you would actually need to be able to link it to an email address is to FaceTime someone who didn’t have a phone number. That leaves iPod touches or iPads, neither of which currently have front facing cameras. But rumors strongly suggest this will change soon enough.
I like that you’ll be able to add an email address to your FaceTime account even with an iPhone 4. I find email addresses to be more identifiable than phone numbers. We can only hope that this FaceTime feature will work its way to desktops sometime soon, as well. I’d really like to be able to make a FaceTime call to iChat in the near future.
Via [MacRumors]
"All iPhones already have phone numbers, so the only reason you would actually need to be able to link it to an email address is to FaceTime someone who didn’t have a phone number."
NOT TRUE.
We have a design team in Edinburgh Scotland ( we're in Hampton Roads, Va), and for me to use Facetime with them I had to call their number (an international call) and crappy AT&T charged a connection fee for the first time we connected!!
That's a good point. I was unaware of international fees. At least it was still possible, and I'm guessing ultimately cheaper than a regular phone call, is that correct? It'll be nicer when we all have access to the email feature, it just makes more sense to me to begin with.