Video Chat for Facebook

In case you have not heard, there's absolutely a war taking place in between Facebook as well as Google - as well as its only just begun. With all the current buzz as well as buzz walking around the Net concerning Google+, Facebook determined that they had to act to get back right into the spotlight; so they have actually currently partnered with Skype to bring its users video calling - Video Chat For Facebook.

This implies that you as well as any of your friends can see each other in person using your cams and also chat utilizing your voice. Seeing that Google+ simply came on the scene with their video chatting feature called Hangouts, this "brand-new" attribute on Facebook appears instead unimaginative. Yet, Facebook's video calling function is really quite excellent and works a little bit in a different way.

If you resemble me, most of your non-tech savvy relative as well as non-geeky friends have not even heard of Google+; if they have actually found out about it, greater than most likely they're not happy to try it out. To make sure that suggests you're stuck still using Facebook and also could too welcome the new attributes (due to the fact that there will absolutely be more to find in this war) with open arms.


Video Chat For Facebook


Let's have a look at how to allow and also utilize Facebook's new video chat.

Getting going

Prior to you can start video calling your friends, you will certainly should enable it. This can be done by mosting likely to the Facebook Video Calling page as well as clicking the green "Get Started" button. You'll after that be prompted to download and run the Java application needed to utilize this function. Don't worry, this is an extremely fast process.


Note: The alternative to use this new feature is not offered for everybody. When I asked my husband to see the web page, he was not able to see the green button. It stated that the attribute had not been yet available to him. In this case you'll require a person that can access the feature to initiate a video call with you. From there, they'll be motivated to install as well as run the Java application.


How you can Call A Friend



There are two ways to call your friends.

First Method

You could enter into a conversation home window and also click on the camera symbol from the top bar of the home window. This approach lets you call any of your friends.

If they haven't enabled the attribute, they'll be prompted to do so. If they typically aren't on the internet, you'll have the ability to leave them a video message.

2nd Method

The various other approach is by clicking the "call" switch on your good friend's profile page. The "call" button will show up appropriate alongside the message button, in the leading right of their account web page.

If you happen to call them and they're offline, you'll have the ability to leave a video message.


Keep in mind: The "call" button will just appear if you're signed into Facebook chat and if that friend has the highlighted allowed. So if you don't see a telephone call button, you'll have to utilize the very first method so that they'll be triggered to enable the feature.

Setup and Quality

The quality of the video chat is pretty impressive. I have actually tried Google+ Hangouts also and I need to confess that the high quality of the camera was not almost as clear as Facebook's video calling. There likewise just weren't virtually as several "missteps" (i.e. home window freezing or hold-ups).

If you have actually done a video chat in Skype, then you'll recognize the configuration; there is a tiny window in the top right corner of the major window to make sure that you can see on your own. When you're made with a telephone call, you can simply shut the home window to end it.

Here is the camera view without the controls. The home window can be enlarged, but this is the tiniest size. Even at full screen view, the top quality continued to be excellent.


Here is the camera sight with the controls. While I am writing this on Windows, I did examination out the feature on the Mac OS. So, your window might look a little various from mine. The only alternative available here is to transform the resource of your microphone (i.e. net or headset).


Final Thoughts

I do desire that there were even more options. For example, there is presently no way to silence your microphone from the video call window; so you would certainly have to go into your computer setups to do this or use the mute button on your headset (if it has one).

Likewise, unlike Google+ Hangouts, there is presently no chance to do team video talks-- something that makes certain ahead in helpful for overtaking several friends and family, group tasks, conferences, meetings, and much more. In the meantime, you could still utilize Skype for that. Considering that everybody is already on Facebook and also are not likely to in fact download Skype (if they have not already), this is absolutely something that should be carried out ASAP. Nevertheless, you can do group text talks within the typical chat home window.

Just what are your ideas on Facebook's new video calling feature? Do you believe it's a needed function? Is it something that you can see on your own and/or loved ones utilizing whatsoever? Feel free to inform us your thoughts in the remarks listed below.