On January 11, according to MacRumors, an overseas netizen said that apple faceTime calls can now be added from the TV through the Microsoft Xbox, but Apple TV cannot achieve it. It's normal for third-party devices not to support Apple's software services, but it's rare for Apple devices not to support their own video calls.
A Reddit user explained in an article how they could join a FaceTime call on their TV using Xbox, all it takes was an applicable webcam and simple connection settings, open the Microsoft Edge browser on Xbox, and open an email with a FaceTime link to join a FaceTime call.
Xiao Lei learned that Apple introduced FaceTime links on iOS 15, iPadOS 15 and macOS Monterey last year, providing a convenient way for non-iOS platforms such as Android and Windows to join Apple video calls, and users can join calls directly on the browser without downloading specific software.
What's more funny is that apple TV is a TV box, there is no FaceTime application, no additional port to connect the camera, and there is no browser to open the FaceTime link, and users simply have no way to join video calls through the TV box.
The only way for Apple TV is to stream from another device to the TV through AirPlay to make FaceTime calls, and the flow between devices will definitely bring about a decrease in image quality and increased latency, and it is quite tossed, which brings great inconvenience to the user.
However, after Apple discontinued the HomePod in March 2021, there were many reports that the company intended to launch a combination of Apple TV and HomePod, which can connect external cameras and support FaceTime calls.
In terms of video calls with TVs, Xiao Lei believes that the domestic smart screens are quite good, not only embedded lifting cameras, but also have a better experience with mobile phones, watches and other devices. Although Xbox can connect an external camera and implement FaceTime calls through the browser, it is still too much trouble for users who do not like toss.
Apple, which has always experienced the famous, dropped the chain in its own FaceTime video call, and was even overtaken by Microsoft's Xbox curve, which is really ironic. When manufacturers gradually attach importance to multi-device collaboration and build an ecological moat, Apple should also play an ecological advantage, and it is best not to let users go around the bend.