Notices

Originally Posted by batman

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.

Originally Posted by batman

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

Originally Posted by Deaconclgi

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.

Originally Posted by Blaizzen

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

Originally Posted by Radicalz38

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.

Originally Posted by benny1967

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.