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OS X Yosemite introduces iMessage screen sharing, FaceTime Audio conference calls with iOS 8

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Apple has made a few new changes to its first-party voice and text services in the newest versions of its mobile and desktop operating systems. Some users are reporting that iOS 8 now features the ability to create conference FaceTime Audio calls. Previously FaceTime audio calls could only be made from one user to another, but now you can add additional users to a call in progress.

OS X Yosemite sports a new addition to its iMessage capabilities. While screen sharing has always been possible over alternative services like AIM, Apple now allows you to use the built-in screen sharing feature in the Messages app over an iMessage account. Unfortunately the feature seems to be broken in the first Yosemite beta, but it is expected to be functional by the time the software ships.

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Comments

  1. Lee Palisoc - 10 years ago

    Still hoping for conference FaceTime video calls.

  2. Andy Casciato - 10 years ago

    I am beginning to see lots of things coming back that we once had and went away, … temporary I suppose … Now I see why it went away . . . to be built back up stronger and better than ever before. Looking forward to the future with great optimism!

  3. whats next, FaceTime group calling, but in WWDC2015

  4. liquidwolverine1 - 10 years ago

    Screen sharing is back!!! At least easier than now

  5. jerimacaronion - 10 years ago

    I wish I have a macbook

  6. Alex King - 10 years ago

    This is awesome news. I wonder if it will allow to actually send the computer’s audio in the screen share. That’s a big missing piece from all services.

    • liquidwolverine1 - 10 years ago

      From what I remember how it use to be in iChat, I am pretty sure audio worked….I could be wrong though.

      • This works today, in Messages, complete with audio. What you are remembering from iChat was never taken away.

  7. trailblazer1 - 10 years ago

    Anything might be better than Mavericks . . .

    • Bob Faulkner - 10 years ago

      Apple needs to retain the ability to control another person’s computer. This is what is missing from Skype; otherwise, more people have Skype and would probably rather use it than iMessages to screen share.

    • You must live a truly blessed life if OS X Mavericks is the worst thing in it.

      • trailblazer1 - 10 years ago

        I am blessed . . . and saved.

      • telecastle - 10 years ago

        @trailblazer1: You are saved, but do you have a reliable cloud backup? Just because your guy tells you his platform is the only way, have you given a thought to a possibility that another platform may prevail and the one you adhere to may be a dead end? In any case, elevating your platform over other people’s platforms speaks volumes of your lack of resources.

  8. Mohammed Omar - 10 years ago

    you can download it right now

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZW-FXNcw-o

  9. Anna Tompkins - 8 years ago

    How many users can be on a FaceTime audio call at once?