WWDC 21: What is New in FaceTime for iOS 15
Let’s look at the presented functionality in Facetime app and see what it gives us at the WWDC 21 conference.
WWDC 21 has just begun, but there is already something to talk about and something to tell. Craig Federighi kicked off his presentation this year with the new FaceTime features in iOS 15. The coronavirus pandemic has made a difference in our lives. More than ever, it has become necessary to be in touch with families and close people constantly. More and more people are using video communication for almost any reason, and therefore it was essential to making this process simple and bring something new. FaceTime is incredibly intuitive and uses end-to-end channel encryption for secure video communications. It is a way to stay close to family or friends.
In face-to-face communication, our brains process hundreds of sound, visual, and other signals. During a video call, signals can be lost, and this can tire us. Therefore, Apple has made FaceTime calls as natural, lively, and convenient as possible.
The main feature that makes FaceTime calls sound like you are sitting in the same room. This feature is called Spatial audio. Spatial audio creates a sound field that allows video calls to be as close as possible, like meeting in person. Your friends’ voices will be distributed in space and sound similar to their position on the screen. This will take the convenience and naturalness of calls to a new level.
The following not unimportant feature is Voice Isolation. During a FaceTime call, your microphone transmits all collected sounds, including everything that happens around you. Then, using machine learning, FaceTime recognizes all background noise and isolates your voice, which is completely clear. And if you want to convey all the surrounding sounds, you have the opportunity to switch to a wide range.
The new version of FaceTime introduces portrait mode. This mode allows you to blur the background and keep you in focus during a video call.
Grid View mode. This is a new way to see everyone in a group FaceTime call. It allows you to display all the videos of the participants in the grid on the screen, and you can see who is talking at the moment and everyone else’s reaction.
New to FaceTime, it is now possible to create call links. This gives you the ability to schedule a call at any time and add it to your calendar. The created link can be sent anywhere. Android and Windows devices support FaceTime calls through the browser. These calls are also protected with end-to-end encryption.
SharePlay is an incredible discovery. A collection of features that allow you to share your feelings during a FaceTime call. You can include music in your need to share, watch movies and TV shows, or show your screen. And this is in real-time communicating with friends. Sharing listening to music or watching videos will enable your interlocutor to control the process. The screen display will allow you to launch any application directly during video calls.
SharePlay is unlike any collaborative streaming or viewing service. It works seamlessly at the system level and across all Apple devices. And most importantly, for all participants and your devices, everything will happen synchronously. This feature will be supported by many partners such as Disney +, Hulu, HBO Max, twitch, and many others.
Apple has dramatically expanded its FaceTime capabilities this year. All the presented functionality improves the quality of audio and video calls, and joint listening and viewing take our capabilities and sensations from video calls to a new level.
