AT&T announces any video chat app to work by the end of 2013
You might have noticed that the video chatting features of Google’s new service Hangouts is disabled when you connect to an AT&T network. You just see a message popping up saying that you should switch to a WiFi network to be able to make a video conversation. It is strange, because users of other networks have not reported problems like these. Now, in a new statement AT&T implies that its customers will be able to use video calls on any preloaded apps (like Hangouts) only if the developers work with AT&T to enable them. The cross-board approval for any video chat apps could be done by the end of 2013, the statement reveals.
AT&T gives all preloaded apps coming with the different devices the ability to work over the AT&T cellular network; hence AT&T’s customers are able to perform video calls using them. Samsung, BlackBerry and Apple have already enabled this for their pre-loaded apps. AT&T promises to enable all those apps for all customers using the unlimited data plan and having LTE devices from these three manufacturers. By the end of 2013, the preloaded video apps will be enabled for all customers, regardless of the subscription plans or devices.
This news comes after a long time iOS blocking of the FaceTimes calls over the AT&T cellular network. Last year, AT&T allowed non-unlimited customers to make video calls, and afterwards they promised even people with unlimited data plans to benefit from the video call app services on their LTE devices. So, by the end of 2013, all customers should be able to use video calls. The slowly phasing in video calls on AT&T’s network is caused by the higher data usage from the pre-loaded apps, compared with the downloaded apps, AT&T revealed. Now, since the end of the year is approaching, the developers may need to do some work with the pre-loaded apps, before they fill be fully ready.
Source: The Verge
