I received an iPad question from a student named Ronald who wrote asking:

“How do I use the iPad to talk to and visually see my son on the screen.
 I live in Pittsburgh and he lives in Houston Texas.
   Thanks,  Ron”

My response:

Hi Ron,

  It sounds like you want to do what is called a “video chat”. Video chats are a great way to keep in touch with your family — I’ve used them for years with my parents (who live about 5,000 miles away) to keep in touch despite the distance.

 You can do video chats with an iPad as long as you have an iPad 2 or newer which have the built-in cameras.  Apple provides you with a free app called “Facetime” which does video chats.
 
  You might want to view the following lessons for more information about how to tell if your iPad has the needed camera, and how to use Facetime:

 1) watch the “overview of the physical iPad device” which is located in the Basics for iPad section at the very top of the list. From the main (house icon) screen of the tutorial app, tap on “iPad Lessons”, then “Basics for iPad” to find the lesson.

This will teach you about locating the physical cameras on your iPad, to make sure you have the right model iPad, and what part of the device to look at to “make eye contact”, etc.

 2) watch the “Facetime App” lesson which is located by going to “iPad Lessons”, then “Apps from Apple” and swiping upwards to scroll through the list until you find the lesson (they’re listed alphabetically).  This lesson will teach you how to use Facetime.
  
    As long as your son has another iPad 2 or newer, OR a modern Mac with the Facetime application installed on it, then you can do the video chats.

  You should both also be connected to Wi-Fi rather than through the cell phone network like Verizon, AT&T or another cell phone company if possible (i.e. home DSL or cable with Wi-Fi is fine).

  I hope that helps, and thanks for being a student!

 

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facetime app · facetime ipad · how to use facetime · ipad advice · ipad answers · ipad tips · video chat ipad