FaceTime for Android can face-plant, according to our readers

Here’s my weblink, so call me maybe?

What you need to know

• We asked our readers if they were excited by Apple’s announcement that it will make its popular FaceTime video chat service available to Android users.
• Nearly half of respondents said flat out that they didn’t care.
• Almost as many were lukewarm about the announcement, while nearly a quarter of respondents said they were actually excited by the news.

On Monday, Apple kicked off its WWDC conference with a two-hour keynote presentation filled with new announcements about its latest software releases. One of the biggest pieces of news for iOS was the announcement that the company would be making its popular FaceTime video calling service available to Android and Windows users via web links. Since communicating with our iPhone-toting friends and family can sometimes be a challenge, we wanted to hear from the Android community whether or not they were excited by these developments.

Over 42% of respondents said that they were not interested in using Apple’s FaceTime web solution, calling it a second-rate solution. 36% said they’d participate in calls if friends sent them a link but that they wouldn’t be rushing to try the feature. Only 21% indicated that they were truly excited about using FaceTime on their Android phones.

Reader beno51079’s comments perfectly summarize the overall sentiment of our readers:

Nope, I have an iPhone for people that I know that use iPhones, and for everyone else I use Android (my daily driver). Why would I be excited for what is a half-baked attempt by Apple to include Android users in FaceTime calls? FaceTime is overrated and I prefer the much better video calling solutions like WhatsApp which isn’t restrictive like FaceTime is.

Dominique Knobben on Facebook had no problem telling it like it is:

On Twitter, the reaction was a bit more diverse but interesting nonetheless.

No. Every iOS user I know has Duo, WhatsApp, or if worse comes to worse, Facebook for video chat.

What we really need is something to change those stupid “Liked [your text message]” or “Laughed at [your text message] we get from iMessage users to actual emojis

— James Wyman (@jaswyman) June 9, 2021

It’s not really available for Android. We can only join a call from a link. We can’t initiate a new call from web.

— Kevin Smith (@kevinslife2) June 9, 2021

Eh not really, there are an infinite number of ways to communicate with folks no matter which OS they prefer. Not having Facetime has never been a hinderance so can’t really say I care too much about it coming now.

— Samuel Anthony (@sammms22876) June 9, 2021

Honestly, it’s too little too late. And it feels like a half-hearted effort. Everyone else makes sure their native apps and services work on all platforms.

— Marian Crkon (@mariancrkon) June 9, 2021

Our FaceTime for Android poll is now closed, but we’re always interested in hearing what our Android faithful think about Apple products and services. Keep an eye out for our weekend poll this Saturday to share more of your opinions.