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iPhone 4 FaceTime slammed by 3 exec

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Posted 2nd July 2010 at 2:18pm by Ewan Taylor-Gibson

iphone 4 facing

The iPhone 4's video calling feature FaceTime is unlikely to catch on in the UK, Kevin Russell of 3 has predicted.

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Fielding questions at the launch of the carrier's new One tariff, Mr Russell dismissed suggestions that FaceTime would put a strain on 3's network on the grounds that video calling is unlikely to be as popular with consumers as Apple is hoping.

He said: "[I will be] surprised if it takes off over the next two to three years."

Mark Allera of 3 concurred with his prognosis, but suggested that FaceTime could be a hit in other territories.

"Culturally, in the UK, I can't see FaceTime being a big thing. I can see it taking off in places like Italy, where people are much less reserved and happy to make video calls on the beach and the like," Mr Allera commented.

Mr Russell was willing to concede that he had been proved wrong in the past with Apple releases, most recently with the iPad, which he had initially criticised before being convinced of its impact by strong sales and the wave of interest it has sparked in other internet tablets.

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More news on: New mobile phones, Apps & software, 3, Apple, iPhone, Smart mobile phones, iPhone 4

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2 Comments

  • Marionation, 2nd July 2010.

    Not sure he's really 'slammed' it here. He said it probably won't take off. There's a difference.

    The difference is I KNOW it won't take off. If people wanted it they could have had it before now. But they weren't interested. And if anyone would know, 3 would. They pushed video calling really early on and got no takers.

    Reply

  • Mr Anon, 3rd July 2010.

    Pricing is the biggest barrier. Bring it sensibly down & it could catch on.

    Reply

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