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AT&T may be preparing to charge customers to use the FaceTime over cellular feature found in iOS 6. Preliminary testing with a developer version of Apple’s next major software revision results in a popup message prompting the user to contact AT&T to enable the new feature.
Up until iOS 6, FaceTime has only be available over Wi-Fi networks, presumably because it eats up a lot of data and / or 3G networks simply weren’t able to provide enough bandwidth for video calls. The new iPhone is expected to carry a 4G radio which would eliminate the latter concern for most customers.
AT&T reached out to 9to5Mac, saying they are working closely with Apple on the new developer build of iOS 6 and that they would share more information with customers as it becomes available. Notice how they didn’t actually deny the idea of charging to use the feature?
Apple also notes on the iOS 6 preview page that carrier data charges may apply and that the service isn’t available in all countries. FaceTime over cellular will require an iPhone 4S (or newer) or third generation iPad.
Of course, this wouldn’t be the first time that AT&T has charged for extra features. The company requires a fee to use Personal Hotspots, a function that allows multiple people to share an Internet connection from a single device. The going rate for that feature on the iPhone is $50.00 for 5GB of data – hardly worth the price by most users’ standards.
Related Products from Product Finder
Apple iPhone 4S
The iPhone 4S looks identical to last year's model but comes in a new 64GB flavor and upgrades the camera to include an 8-megapixel sensor with improved low-light performance and 1080p video capture. In terms of performance the new iPhone is reportedly up to 2x faster and is also capable of running on faster HSPA+ networks, reaching theoretical download speeds of up to 14.4Mbps.
AT&T iPhone 4S
The iPhone 4S looks identical to last year's model but comes in a new 64GB flavor and upgrades the camera to include an 8-megapixel sensor with improved low-light performance and 1080p video capture. In terms of performance the new iPhone is reportedly up to 2x faster and is also capable of running on faster HSPA+ networks, reaching theoretical download speeds of up to 14.4Mbps.
Apple iPad
The Apple iPad (3rd-gen) includes a Retina Display operating at a resolution of 2,048 x 1,536. Powering the new iPad is a dual-core A5X processor with quad-core graphics, it also gets upgraded optics in the form of a 5MP backside illuminated sensor that features a 5-element lens, IR filter and ISP built into the A5X chip. Apple claims The new iPad is good for 10 hours of battery life and nine hours when using 4G LTE.
User Comments: 9
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Another "revenue stream" for the deathstar.
I would assume you could still use the wi-fi version?
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Unless ATT wants to get rather large lawsuit, I would assume you could still use wifi.
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Ranger12 said:
Eh well, either way I'm ditching AT&T when my contract is up. I have had enough with signing contracts for my cellular service.
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tengeta said:
Its rather hilarious how Bell was broken up and AT&T just bought it back piece by piece.
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When will we finally see a lawsuit that forces At&t and all cellular to recognize all these "services" as hardware features and that they can only charge for the data and not for the way we use it.This and tethering charges should be illegal.
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Its rather hilarious how Bell was broken up and AT&T just bought it back piece by piece.
AT&T is just like T-1000, break it into many pieces and it will just reform itself.
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NTAPRO said:
>_> They charge for everything else it seems :P
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Times are hard for companies and what better way to fleece money then to target the retards who actually bought an iphone thinking it was a good phone
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Seems like AT&T and Apple are a match made in heaven.
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