Is FaceTime Something You Find Useful?

[Jeff Campbell]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.businessinsider.com/do-you-use-facetime-2011-2?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+typepad/alleyinsider/silicon_alley_insider+(Silicon+Alley+Insider)' target='_blank'>http://www.businessinsider.com/do-y...+Alley+Insider)</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"Apple is expected to add a front facing camera to iPad 2, bringing yet another device into its "FaceTime" fold."</em></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/at/auto/1298919493.usr105634.jpg" style="margin-left: 100px; margin-right: 100px;" /></p><p>And the question came up about it's usefulness, or lack thereof. It got me thinking, how often do I really use that feature? The front camera is nice, and I use it a lot, but mainly for taking pictures when I'm with someone and want to be in the picture. I have used FaceTime with my daughter, but mainly as a remote viewing device so I can help her solve some problem on the computer, with her homework or with the XBox 360. So, how often do you use FaceTime and how do you use it?</p>

[Vincent Ferrari]

Rarely. Honestly, I used Tango much more before Skype allowed video and now I pretty much use Skype exclusively.

[Rob Alexander]

I've used it once, mostly for the novelty. I can see using it occasionally when I want to show someone where I am or something, but I'm mostly content to just talk. Besides, if they can see me, people will know I'm playing solitaire while we're talking. :)

[Dyvim]

Aside from testing, I've used it once. Mostly I don't know many people with FaceTime-capable devices. However, most of my friends and family can (and do) do Skype. So Skype is much more useful to me.

I wonder how long it will take Skype to update its app to support the iPad 2's cameras? (It certainly took them long enough to support the iPhone 4's cameras.)