iOS 18 brings a host of exciting updates to FaceTime, Apple’s popular video calling app. These enhancements introduce new capabilities and refine existing ones, potentially revolutionizing how we use FaceTime for both personal and professional communication.
Continuity Camera integration with Apple TV 4K
One of the standout additions in iOS 18 is the Continuity Camera feature for Apple TV 4K. This innovative functionality allows users to:
- Designate an iPhone as a permanent connection to Apple TV 4K
- Enjoy large-screen FaceTime calls, perfect for family gatherings
- Showcase activities like dancing along with Apple Music Sing
- Utilize video conferencing capabilities with apps like Webex and Zoom
This seamless integration between iPhone and Apple TV 4K opens up new possibilities for FaceTime usage, especially in home and small business environments. It effectively transforms your TV into a large-scale video calling device, potentially altering the dynamics of remote communication.
To use this feature, you’ll need an iPhone XS, iPhone XR, or later model, paired with an Apple TV 4K (2nd generation or newer).
Call recording capabilities
A game-changing addition to FaceTime in iOS 18 is the ability to record calls. Here’s what you need to know about this feature:
- FaceTime audio calls can now be recorded directly from the Phone app
- The app automatically announces when a recording begins, ensuring transparency
- Call transcripts are conveniently saved to the Notes app for easy reference
- This feature is available on iPhone 15 Pro and later, supporting various English language variants
This new functionality provides a powerful tool for capturing and reviewing important conversations while maintaining ethical standards by informing all participants about the recording process.
Enhanced SharePlay features
While not exclusive to FaceTime, the improvements to SharePlay in iOS 18 can significantly enhance collaborative experiences during video calls:
- Ask to share: Participants can now request screen sharing directly from Messages or during a FaceTime call
- Draw to highlight: Users can draw on shared screens to emphasize specific points
- Remote control: With permission, participants can take control of the shared device for more direct assistance
These SharePlay enhancements aim to make remote collaboration more interactive and effective, potentially transforming how people work together and solve problems from a distance.
It’s worth noting that iOS 18 introduces an Automatic Mic Mode feature for the Phone app, which could potentially extend to FaceTime audio calls. This smart feature adjusts the microphone settings based on your environment:
- In noisy settings, it activates Voice Isolation to focus on your voice
- In quiet areas, it switches to Wide Spectrum mode to capture all surrounding sounds clearly
While it’s not explicitly confirmed for FaceTime, this feature represents a significant step forward in adaptive call quality.
What are your thoughts on these new FaceTime features? Do you think the call recording capability or the improved SharePlay functions will change how you use video calling? Share your opinions – your insights could help others understand the real-world impact of these updates in various scenarios.