We’ve already seen a couple screenshots of the iPod touch FaceTime system from BGR but we’ve found some more details about how it will exactly work. Boy Genius showed that FaceTime on these non-iPhone devices would be based on email addresses.
Just like in GameCenter for iOS 4, you will have a FaceTime username and password based off your Apple ID, and this username is changeable:
You will also get to pick what you want to show up as the Caller ID on the receiving end:
The following image confirms that your Apple ID will in fact be your main login method, and you can even create an account from within the FaceTime settings:
Now for the really interesting stuff… the behind the scenes action of BGR’s in-use screenshot of setting up a FaceTime e-mail account:
Now getting rid of your FaceTime account, which is not recommended as then you won’t be able to make or receive FaceTime calls:
Here’s some various account settings panes, and it appears you can simultaneously have multiple email addresses on one FaceTime account:
And finally, if/when FaceTime’s app gets a settings icon, it will look like this:
The iPod hasn’t a phone number but will have FaceTime this Fall. This is why Apple’s using the e-mail method. If the next iPad has a camera, it will likely work in similar fashion.
This is actually pretty interesting because when it is all said and done, Apple users (and FaceTime is being Open-Sourced for other platforms) will be able to call each other without using a traditional or cell phone line. Bad news for AT&T.
Apple could theoretically put in a VoIP gateway and have a Skype-type of service within a year. That would be interesting.
