Based on Apple’s latest beta release of FaceTime for Mac, I elected to give this application a proper spin. Prior to this, I have not used FaceTime on my iPhone because I utilise a Google Voice number, and the iPhone FaceTime currently requires one’s root number. However, I am glad that I made the time to have a go with the Mac version, because I was quite impressed. The setup, configuration and calls are quite simple really.
It is noteworthy to mention that FaceTime for Mac requires an email address for ‘Mac to Mac’ FaceTime connections, and it builds it’s contact list from one’s local Mac Address Book application. As I manage all of my contacts within my Google Apps account, I was able to sort this rather quickly by having the Mac Address Book sync with my Google Apps contacts.
Dependencies:
- Requires your Apple ID account and password.
Considerations:
- Mac to Mac FaceTime requires the use of an email address to establish a connection.
- Mac to iPhone 4 requires the root number of an iPhone 4 to establish a connection. (Note: Google Voice number is not supported currently).
- Currently have yet to be successful with iPhone 4 to Mac.
Versions Tested:
Guide:
Installation of the FaceTime application on one’s Mac is very simplistic, with some of the basic steps provided below.
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Download the FaceTime for Mac (roughly 14MB) from Apple’s website, and simply place into your ‘Downloads’ folder.
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With the download completed, navigate to your ‘Downloads’ folder, and DOUBLE+CLICK the FaceTime.dmg file to mount the application for installation.
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Once mounted, the application installation UI will be presented. DOUBLE+CLICK the FaceTime.mpkg icon, and simply follow the prompts to complete the installation.
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Once the FaceTime application has been successfully installed, navigate to your ‘Applications’ folder and launch the application by selecting the FaceTime.app icon.
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When presented, populate your Apple ID and password, then select ‘Sign In’.
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You will be provided the option of using your Apple ID email address, or supplying an alternate email address. Note: One will receive an email from Apple to register the email address if not already registered.
Enter the email address you would like to use as your FaceTime email address. This email address will be used by other Mac’s desiring to contact you via FaceTime.
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If you have not registered an email address that different from your Apple ID, then Apple will require validation by sending an verification email to the FaceTime email address that you specified.
Once you have received your verification email from Apple, simply click the ‘Verify Now’ link within your email to confirm. You will be required to authenticate with your Apple ID and password.
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Make sure to note, when you want someone to call you using FaceTime, they simply have to have your email address.
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With all the steps completed successfully, your FaceTime application will present all of the current contacts in your Mac Address book on the far right side.
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To initiate the FaceTime call, simply select the phone number for someone using FaceTime on their iPhone 4, or select the email address of someone utilising Mac FaceTime initiate a FaceTime call.
