iChat

Photo Booth and iChat video effects not showing

Two popular programs included with OS X are Photo Booth and iChat, both of which allow you to use a camera attached to the system to capture and send pictures and videos of yourself to friends and colleagues.

Both of these programs have a video effects section, where you can apply filters to stretch and warp your face into odd shapes, or have hearts or birds revolve around your head for a "lovestruck" or "dizzy" effect. While these features should work just fine, there are situations in which the effect either cuts in and out or … Read more

Apple's iMessage protocol headed to iChat?

Following in the footsteps of Apple's FaceTime video chat, Apple's iMessage could be the next feature to make the jump from iOS to Apple's Mac OS X.

MacRumors today points to a code string within OS X Lion's iChat software noting when messages are both delivered and read, receipts that are currently available as part of its upcoming iMessage service. The outlet notes that these particular code strings haven't appeared in previous versions of the iChat software, suggesting support for the protocol will be there when iMessage officially launches this fall.

Apple introduced iMessage as … Read more

How to use iChat and AirPort to easily transfer files without Internet or external drives

Occasionally a situation arises where you need to transfer a file to someone but you have forgotten your external hard drive or burnable disc. In these situations, you can set up a private network and use iChat to easily transfer the file. This is particularly useful when no Internet is present.

To transfer a file using iChat with no Internet, click on the AirPort icon and choose "Create Network." Name your network, choose a channel (or leave it on automatic) and decide whether or not you want a password. If you're in a public place, a password … Read more

iChat video recording not available on latest MacBook Air

Recently we were contacted by a MacFixIt reader who has not been able to record video chats in iChat on his new MacBook Air laptop. While video chats work fine, for some reason the "Record Chat" option in the "Video" menu does not work and the program will not allow video chats to be recorded. This is in contrast to both prior MacBook Air models, all other Mac systems that support video chatting.

MacFixIt reader "Joseph" writes:

"I've just discovered that the new MacBook Air, unlike every other current-vintage Apple laptop and … Read more

MacFixIt Answers

MacFixIt Answers is a feature in which we answer questions e-mailed from our readers. This week we have questions on opening files directly leading to the launched application being treated like it's being opened for the first time, how to consolidate hierarchies of files of the same type into one folder, and the difference between iChat and FaceTime. We continually answer e-mail questions, and while we present a few here, we certainly welcome alternative approaches and views from readers and encourage you to post your suggestions in the comments.

Question: Opening files directly causes first-time application launch warning

MacFixIt … Read more

Apple's FaceTime on Mac OS X, Windows

A French Web site, Mac4Ever, posted a short article claiming the Cupertino computer crafters are creating software for Mac OS X, presumably an update to iChat, that will allow desktop and notebook users to communicate via FaceTime with compatible iOS devices.

The information is not backed up with sources, but the site has been known to have semi-accurate predictions (SD Cards on last year's iMac release, though incorrect in predicting the release of iLife '11 in August of this year). Translated via Google Translate, the site reports that, "it is rumored that Apple is preparing to leave FaceTime … Read more

The 404 597: Where we're getting FaceTime with the Apple iPhone 4 (podcast)

Don't call it the 4G or the 4HD. The Apple iPhone 4 is here and Gizmodo ruined the surprise. As predicted, the new handset has *almost* all of the rumored features, including a 960X640 resolution display, a bigger battery, HD video recording and editing, a three-axis gyroscope, an upgraded 5MP rear camera, and a front-facing camera for use with Apple's new video chat program FaceTime.

Apple's new Retina display promises 4X improvement over the current screen, and Steve's demo screenshots show significant improvements to text and images, but CNET's own TV expert David Katzmaier takes issue … Read more

Buzz Out Loud 1203: The potato radius (podcast)

Pluto's in danger of insult again, as scientists decide that anything bigger than a potato should be a dwarf planet. Or something like that. We also dig into why Apple would suddenly disqualify any third-party compilers from being used to make iPhone apps. And the long-awaited iPod Nano scratch lawsuit is settled. Our national nightmare is over.

Subscribe with iTunes (audio) Subscribe with iTunes (video) Subscribe with RSS (audio) Subscribe with RSS (video) EPISODE 1203

Contacts in Mail showing wrong user photo

Some users are experiencing an issue in Apple's Mail application where messages received from contacts that have user photos are displaying the incorrect image. The issue, in some cases, even extends to applications like iChat that use the Address Book image database as well.… Read more

Snow Leopard: iChat restricting minimum chat window width

Users may experience an issue regarding the minimum width of a chat window in Mac OS X 10.6.2 Snow Leopard's iChat. The issue seems to restrict the window size to approximately 384 pixels, which some users may find too large for their needs (especially when working on smaller notebooks).… Read more