FaceTime is a video calling application available on the iPhone 4. The application is currently only available for calls made over WiFi because of the bandwidth requirements of video calling. FaceTime will not be available over 3G until 2011 at the earliest to allow carriers the time to upgrade their networks.http://www.apple.com/iphone/features/facetime.html http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2010/06/08/businessinsider-why-the-iphones-facetime-video-calling-will-succeed-where-others-have-failed-2010-6.DTL http://www.product-reviews.net/2010/06/07/new-iphone-4-facetime-wifi-video-chat-full-details/

FaceTime is pre-installed on the latest iPhone and no special account or screen name is needed to use the feature. Users can press the FaceTime button from inside Contacts or they can enter the application while already on a voice call. The person on the other end is offered the choice of whether to accept the video call. The application works in both landscape and portrait modes.http://www.apple.com/iphone/features/facetime.html

The iPhone 4 features two built-in cameras, with the front camera specially designed for FaceTime. The front camera's focal length and field of view are tuned to provide the best video from an arm's length. The back camera can be used to show the person on the other end of the call what you are viewing in front of you while the front-facing camera's view is shown in a small window within the main view.http://www.apple.com/iphone/features/facetime.html

Apple CEO Steve Jobs announced the feature during the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference 2010. He demonstrated FaceTime by callling Apple's Senior Vice-President of Design Jony Ives. Jobs noted that the application will be based on several open standards such as h.264, AAC, SIP and said that Apple's intent is to make FaceTime an open industry standard.http://www.product-reviews.net/2010/06/07/new-iphone-4-facetime-wifi-video-chat-full-details/

Although video calling on mobile phones is not a new technology (Nokia shipped a cell phone with video calling capabilities in the 1990s), it has not become mainstream. Some observers expect Apple to make the technology more popular among the masses because of the iPhone's built in user base and Apple's history of making technology easier to use for average consumers.http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2364783,00.asp

An iPad with a front-facing camera and the ability to utilize FaceTime is speculated to be in the works, possibly coming as early as Fall 2010 when Apple says the iPad will be receiving iOS4.http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2364783,00.asp