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WWDC 2021: Apple's iOS 15 FaceTime update, launch of SharePlay reflects hefty dose of Zoom envy
Apple is adding screen sharing to FaceTime, shared experiences, Portrait mode, as well as meeting links outside of Apple's ecosystem (yes, even you, Android users). Sound vaguely familiar?

Apple seems a bit miffed that Zoom is a verb, and now Apple is racing to add features to FaceTime that mimic those of Zoom. The upshot: Zoom can have the business, but Apple wants a big piece of shared consumer experiences.
Apple
At the WWDC keynote, Craig Federighi, Apple's senior vice president of software engineering, outlined FaceTime updates in iOS 15 that include:
- Portrait mode.
- Sharing FaceTime links and even (gasp!) connecting with those Android and Windows folks over the web.
- Screen sharing.
- Shared experiences via a feature called SharePlay where you can listen to music and watch video with others.
- An API in SharePlay that allows other apps to be integrated with FaceTime.
Sound a bit familiar? Zoom has those same features -- except, perhaps, for the entertainment app integration.
Bottom line: Apple wants FaceTime to be more in the conversation along with Zoom, and the latter has encroached on developers as well as events. You can expect a business version to be in the mix as Apple evolves FaceTime.
Must read:
- Zoom announces new platform for virtual events
- Zoom's new meeting option could make your video calls a lot more interesting
- Zoom announces updated iPad app with support for Center Stage, expanded gallery view
- Zoom launches $100 million Zoom Apps fund to spur growth in developer ecosystem
- Zoom launches Zapps, OnZoom as it builds out its ecosystem for developers, content creators
Here's what Apple has in mind:
Apple
Apple
Apple