iOS Warning Message Hints At FaceTime Over 3G

You can’t currently start a FaceTime video chat from an iPad, iPod touch or iPhone using a 3G network; Apple still requires that users are logged in to a Wi-Fi network, likely to make sure that a minimum level of video quality can be guaranteed. A new warning message inside iOS 5.1.1, discovered by iDevice recently, suggests that 3G FaceTime support will be enabled in the future, however.

If a user first places a FaceTime call over a Wi-Fi network and then switches off the “enable 3G” option within iOS’s Network settings menu, an alert pops up stating that doing so could end the FaceTime call. “Disabling 3G may end FaceTime,” the warning says, specifically. “Are you sure you want to disable 3G?”

A similar message also pops up when a user tries to enable 3G during a Wi-Fi call, AppleInsider discovered. “Enabling 3G will end your phone call. Are you sure you want to enable 3G,” the warning message states.

Oddly, selecting either option never ended AppleInsider’s test FaceTime calls. You just can’t place a call if you’re only on a 3G network. Wireless carriers reportedly asked Apple to disable support for 3G video calls, likely to prevent bandwidth hogging, and only jailbroken phones are capable of executing the feature. It’s possible Apple and wireless carriers will enable the function when a 4G LTE-enabled iPhone is released, or perhaps 3G support will be activated sooner.

Cable Internet Providers Team Up For CableWiFi Initiative

If you’re looking to enjoy Wi-Fi access wherever you go, it looks like that may become more of a reality in the near future if you subscribe to the right provider.

Bright House Networks, Cablevision, Comcast, Cox Communications and Time Warner Cable have announced that a new coalition has been formed between the five companies that will be called “CableWiFi.” If you subscribe to any of these providers you will soon be able to enjoy using over 50,000 company owned Wi-Fi hotspots through out the nation.

The first coverage areas will include New York City and the surrounding area, Los Angeles, Tampa, Orlando and Philadelphia with more cities expected in the future. You’ll be able to find where the hotspots are located by visiting your providers hotspot locator or going to CableWiFi.com.

While this is certainly not an end-game solution that will allow you to dump your mobile data on your phone, it definitely raises some interesting questions for the future. Could the U.S. finally get to a point where you could wander from one Wi-Fi hotspot to another and no longer worry about the speeds of your mobile data or your bandwidth camp?

Check out the official website for more details

BlackBerry Bridge Update To Bring Text Messaging Functionality To BlackBerry PlayBook

RIM has been working hard on the next BlackBerry PlayBook OS update along with an update for BlackBerry Bridge. Right now, we're hearing the OS for the PlayBook is sitting at version 2.1.0.460 while BlackBerry Bridge is sitting at version 2.1.0.3. So what changes has RIM been working on? A few actually:

• BlackBerry Bridge 2.1 - Now offers you the ability to choose Text Messages as a category from the BlackBerry Bridge folder on your PlayBook.
• Bridge Over Wi-Fi - You can now seamlessly connect your BlackBerry Smartphone to your PlayBook over a Wi-Fi connection