Make a video call
 

3G launched today in india... n with all excitement i went on to make a video call from my n900 just to realize that n900 doesnt support video calls... is thr any app or method to do so...? saw posts abt amkin a video call n everywhr its explained how to make video calls wid gtalk n skype... i already know that...i wanna know abt v-calls on "3G"...

Re: Make a video call
 

The default firmware for India does not support Skype... search these forums for advice (maybe to use the Global firmware)

Re: Make a video call
 

the N900 does not support video calling (3G type your referring to). Only GTalk and Skype video calls are allowed.

Re: Make a video call
 

You can skype over 3g but there's no 'video calling' facility per se.

Re: Make a video call
 

no, the n900 is not designed to make video calls, and there's no 3rd party application you could install to make them work. (it's just not a good *phone*, you see.)

i wonder if somebody smart could write an application to fill the gap - or if this door will remain closed forever because the OS doesn't expose the hooks needed for this. (MMS wasn't supported either on the N900 and is now possible via fMMS - so you never know...)

Re: Make a video call
 

which part of india r u from and who is the operator
is that tata docomo i guess....

Re: Make a video call
 

Video calls are deffinately possible via google chat or skype

I dont know if its possible using 3G, but a regular voice call certainly works over 3G very well.

Re: Make a video call
 

That's irrelevant, the N900 simply can't do it.

Neither Google Chat nor Skype are 3G Video Calls; they're video chats than can work over a 3G network (or not, depending on the network).

Re: Make a video call
 

I use 3G video calls all the time. Sure you can say it is video chat, but the point is, I choose a contact, make a call that contains video over 3G. Technicalities will have people thinking that the above isn't possible on the N900. The other phones like the Sprint 4G and MyTouch 4G do the same thing, use a 3rd party app (Qik) to video call/chat. It just so happens that the N900s 3rd party apps are GTalk and Skype.

Re: Make a video call
 

I'm not a techie.. so when i say it is possible to use the N900 for video calls I was just saying it is possible to use the N900 to make and recieve video calls using a program like skype or google chat.

Re: Make a video call
 

what is the difference technicly between a 3G video call, and using 3G for skype video or google chat video?

Re: Make a video call
 

Yes it is possible and easy to do since it is integrated into Maemo5.

All you have to do is setup your Skype or Google Chat account and as long as you have an internet connection, you will show as available to chat/video call and you will recieve video calls just like phone calls. If you add your friends Skype and Google chat info, there is an indicator that will show beside their name that will let you know if they are available for chat/IM or video call or even the option to make a call with Skype or GTalk.

Re: Make a video call
 

A 3G video call is like a regular (voice) phone call: you can video call any (video capable) phone using the same phone number - ie no need for a google / skype /whatever account and no need to be logged in to make / receive calls.

Re: Make a video call
 

That's just plain wrong. Other phones don't use a 3rd party app. Video calling is part of the 3G standard, and whenever I select a contact on any of my 3G phones (except the N900), without additional software installed, I can select either voice or video call; I can also switch to video from a regular voice call.

The reason why it is important to make a clear distinction between 3G video calls and any other video chat system like Skype or Google Chat etc. etc is that with 3G video chat, it's "built in" and you can have a video chat with anybody you can call. The other person needn't have an account on the same system you are on. He/she doesn't need to be "online" (read: internet connection). The only requirement is a decent 3G phone (and, as I said, the N900 is the only case of 3G without video calls I came across in recent years)

So in case somebody wants to call you on 3G, they need to know nothing but your number. No registration with any service, no internet access, no need to check if you're online when they want to call you... just dial your number.

In all the cases you're thinking of (like Skype or Google Talk), the caller first would have to make sure to have an account on the same service. Then they'd need to find your account name, then they'd need to see if you're online at all - and finally there's a fair chance it still won't work because something in between blocks the ports. Yes, it does transmit streaming video. But it's a whole different concept.

Re: Make a video call
 

ok got ya now :)

speaking of which even an old N70 I have has video calls

Re: Make a video call
 

No. Also open standard SIP-based video calls are supported, like to and from ekiga.net subscribers and other VOIP/SIP providers.

I would suggest people would not support proprietary standards like Skype, but use the open ones (VOIP/SIP).

An Example:
You can make a free SIP account in ekiga.net.

Then configure your N900 in Setup/VOIP.
Put your ekiga.net SIP address there (seems like a email address)
In advanced settings Port 5060 (if necessary), and Search for STUN automatically.

You can make a test video loop call to address sip:500@ekiga.net

Re: Make a video call
 

If you can send and recieve mms then it just means you can make a 3g video call also on n900. What makes mms and 3g calling different is that mms transfers data and you will be able to read that data upon complete transfer whilst on 3g video calling you recieve and read data realtime.

It's just no developer here on maemo find 3g videocalling useful to them to exert an effort on making one for the reason that it's just expensive. debbuging it would cost not only hardwork but money.

So if anybody wants 3g videocalls better train for some convincing powers and look for a good developer. :p

Re: Make a video call
 

Is the underlying protocol the same? I had no idea. I always wondered how it really worked.... well, but not enough to dig up some documentation on this google machine. ;)

Re: Make a video call
 

That I don't know never tried developing for mobile applications... but maybe videocalling is through RTSP/RTP.

Edit:
And oh... This should help you a little

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Real_Ti...aming_Protocol
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Real-ti...sport_Protocol

Re: Make a video call
 

That all makes sense. I was speaking in the context of the examples I gave: Sprint Evo 4G Mytouch 4G use Qik for video calls.

On the other hand my N82 and E73 can make video calls to any
number but my network does not support it. When I show my phones to people, all they care is which device can I contact someone and see them while I talk to them.

Yes, I was wrong. I accept that and thank you for the clarification..

Re: Make a video call
 

How come the N95 could make video calls and N900 can't? I can understand their excuse that no one using mms anymore because of email (actually I know it was just an excuse) but what is the explanation for lack of video calling? Or rather what is the excuse. Surely they cannot say it is because of built in skype because how many people have skype accounts and for those that have how often are they connected.

Re: Make a video call
 

Because the N95 was a phone and the N900 is a 'mobile computer'.

Re: Make a video call
 

Lol okay thanks for the Nokia marketing speak.

Re: Make a video call
 

I miss sending/receiving faxes on my old Nokia Communicators & 3G video calls on my old Nokia E90, both not available on the N900. Reason probably being no one does fax & 3G calls anymore these days because of emails, Skype, GTalk, Gmail, Facebook etc... :-(

Re: Make a video call
 

Because N95 is symbian based and N900 is Maemo5 based. As a phone, the N95 defeats the N900 in 3G video call, MMS, voice call quality. As a mobile computer, the N95 wins over N900 in using front camera, turning itself into a PC wireless high quality web camera via Mobila Web Camera. With a weak CPU and only less than 56MB of RAM, the N95 is a clear winner in managing applications it has, with multitasking ability.
People behind the N95 do not make excuses for what N95 cannot do, they just silently try to make it better with new firmware. People behind N900 always start by saying there is no need, no interest, no market, no blah blah... for cleaning up their own mess!
Sorry for the heat. I loved my old N95. I am in love with my new N900 and will not go back to the N95. I just hope smart people behind N900 stop being so smart with their excuses and start looking at what they lack comparing to the older systems, learning from them and improving the Maemo5.

Re: Make a video call
 

t kinda feels like Nokia didn't took the N900 seriouslly enough

Re: Make a video call
 

Yeah, I feel the same. I think Nokia just throw the N900 out in order to get free ideas, programmers, and testers so they can legally steal and use in their more markettable devices for common users. We N900 users will never be able to enjoy the maker's support comfort as those buying N97, N8, or ... Iphones! We are on our own with this device of wonder from the start because Nokia don't promise anything and never will. Not that big deal because we have so mighty a community to support ourself anyway. Many Thanks to Maemo community!

Re: Make a video call
 

My opinion: I don't think we are in any state of denial. It's just different way of doing things, and getting used to that. When we bought into the N900, we (should) were aware of the available function and features. Caveat emptor (let the buyer beware, right?)Video calls were going to be via Skype, but we can pray hard for 3G video call application to be developed soon. MMS was once not available on the N900, but now we have fMMS.

Of course I'm 110% all for improving the Maemo5 applications. :D

Re: Make a video call
 

video calls work great with skype and google for me at least . I use it everyday .

Re: Make a video call
 

I need 3G video call...I don't have any friends on Skype / google :(

Re: Make a video call
 

Get new friends :rolleyes: :D

Re: Make a video call
 

N900 fails again. period.

Re: Make a video call
 

Your shtick is getting old.

Re: Make a video call
 

yeah so does N900

Re: Make a video call
 

Ouch! that hurt

Re: Make a video call
 

What's the real issue here? We WANT the 3G videocalling option on the N900, right? I don't really care about assigning blame, I care about achieving the goal. What's the technical feasibility of success? If it can be done, and if everyone wants it, then maybe it would make sense to commission (i.e. pay for) the creation of open source software that makes 3G videocalling a reality on the device. How much money would it take? On what schedule could it be produced? If we raise the money first, no lonely developer would have to invest his own money--we would just need to know the amount of money needed to get us to the videocalling solution. Does anyone know of any obstacles that cannot be overcome?

Re: Make a video call
 

nokia is stupid, they have full time payed employass with high saleries, why cant they do it.

although my monkey can do better.

Re: Make a video call
 

Your monkey writes better than you too.

Re: Make a video call
 

Agree with Hacker to take more action rather then just talk about it. Anyone can advise?

Re: Make a video call
 

yeah get the source code for phone app and ask nokia to open source phone app then maybe hackers can help.