It been about two days since Apple released iOS 5 beta 3 to developers. Slowly and gradually, the findings and discoveries are being reported all across the internet by those who have their hands on iOS 5 beta 3. We've been playing around with it too, and have found out that AirPlay mirroring of FaceTime calls made from iPad 2 running iOS 5 beta 3, has been enabled by Apple.
Previously, when iOS 5 beta 1 was released, we immediately started testing it out. One of the features that interested us the most was AirPlay mirroring that Apple previewed at WWDC 2011, where it formally announced iOS 5 last month. We hooked up our Apple TV, upgraded it to iOS 5 beta firmware as well, yes you need to do that in order to use AirPlay mirroring, and starting trying out mirroring. We were impressed, as for beta firmware, this feature was exceptionally smooth. Audio and Video both were impeccably displayed on the TV.
Back then, there was no word on whether AirPlay mirroring supported FaceTime as well. We decided to give it a try. We launched FaceTime and were delighted to see that the app came up on the TV as well. However, as soon as we started a FaceTime call, the display disappeared and the Apple TV started displaying the screensaver. We tried a couple of times but to no avail. That's when we deduced that FaceTime AirPlay mirroring was not supported. Same went for iOS 5 beta 2 as well, because we repeated the same procedure once again, but it yielded no results.
So iOS 5 beta 3 dropped day before yesterday, and we obviously went down to testing it as well. Same procedure repeated again and this time, to our utter surprise, FaceTime calls were being displayed on the TV! Bam, you now have FaceTime AirPlay mirroring support, starting from iOS 5 beta 3. Whether or not this feature makes it to the public release, is still not known. We can't say for sure, because if you remember, Apple enabled Multitasking Gestures in the betas of iOS 4, but they never made it in the public release.
How to enable FaceTime AirPlay mirroring in iOS 5 beta 3:
Basically, there are no fancy procedures for specifically enabling FaceTime AirPlay mirroring (yay!) just normally enable AirPlay mirroring from the multitasking bar and you're good to go. Please note that the Apple TV and your device should be on the same wireless network. Also, please ensure that your Apple TV is running the latest beta of iOS 5 as well as your device.
How do you plan on using FaceTime AirPlay mirroring? It certainly adds a spark to video conferencing with your family members that maybe thousands of miles away. If you're a business, you're probably using iPads in the office, so doesn't AirPlay mirroring make corporate video conferences bigger and better? We do know that Apple is enticing businesses now, the question is, would you use it?
Leave your thoughts, in the comments below. We love a good discussion!