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How to make videocalls?

asked 2019-06-09 02:25:00 +0200

picklerick gravatar image

updated 2019-06-09 02:47:41 +0200

rozgwi gravatar image

I've just got a new phone and installed sailfish os. I've tried making Whatsapp videocalls but I don't hear any audio whereas the other person can hear mine. I've searched for this and it seems this has been an issue for quite a while. Surprised it's not a top priority for the roadmap given the necessity

Do you have any other apps that you recommend where everything works flawlessly? Does hangouts have the same issue?

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sfos3 & aliendalvik still in Beta. ive tried whatsapp and also experience same issue since day 1.

arfizal ( 2019-06-09 05:10:33 +0200 )edit
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Shortly, No necessary to use resources to bullshit.

Jk ( 2019-06-09 14:54:41 +0200 )edit
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@Jk what a brainless comment, very usefull.

aQUICK1 ( 2019-06-09 16:06:24 +0200 )edit
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@aQUICK1 You are right this is just commenting, no answering. Anyways back to topic, we need really to move away from these closed source services. Not be chained by them, because they not even help us with our lovely sailfish either any other platform.

Believe me, some day we will move to right path.

Jk ( 2019-06-09 16:25:50 +0200 )edit
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I just need some way to make calls over internet (audio & video). I'm mostly calling friends or family and I can convince them to install some other alternative. But I don't see any such apps natively supported on Sailfish OS.

picklerick ( 2019-06-09 17:53:55 +0200 )edit

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answered 2019-06-11 12:42:59 +0200

DrYak gravatar image

I've used successfully used Skype Lite (com.skype.m2) for internet video calls. I've also use WhatsApp successfully for Audio calls.

Note:

  • I always use a headset plugged in the jack, both for comfort of positionning the smartphone's camera (when Video call) and to avoid echo (when audio is in loudspeaker handsfree mode). Maybe there's a bug with the onboard mic? (like echo-cancelling going wrong? I've constantly ran into echo-cancel bugs on desktop VoIP apps (e.g. annoying constant volume jumps in Skype), so I've got used to always use a head set).
  • there is some bug causing the webcam getting grabbed and locking other apps out of it. (e.g.: native Camera apps can't successfully start anymore, WhatsApp can't take pictures, etc.).

    Usually, try killing any app that might have grabbed it (WhatsApp, Skype, etc.). At worse just stop and then restart the whole AlienDalvik Android App compatibility layer. Test again the cam with the native app.

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Thanks for the reply. I'll try with the headset once to see if the audio works (on Whatsapp). If it doesn't, I'll just wait for the next software update. Seems there are updates almost every month or so right?

picklerick ( 2019-06-11 19:38:52 +0200 )edit
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Yup, apparently the Jolla official just announced the translation round 1 for the upcoming 3.1.0. The open beta (EA) usually follows by ~3 weeks (or more if they hit problems during the closed beta).

I've litteraly used WhatsApp and Skype Lite on the current version (3.0.3.10) so there exist a version that could work...

In addition to the app killing to release a grabbed webcam I mentionned above: I tend to run my alien-dalvik with as little auto-started applications as possible.

When exploring with some top-like software, the open window of WhatsApp is litteraly the only app running most of the time (+ a few key android services. But no other apps).

Your problems in getting working call might litteraly not be as much bugs (well bugs too, but...) as it could be "a Skype process in the background is currently attempting to grab the webcam, or something".

Specifically for audio it should happen a bit less (Sailfish OS uses pulseaudio for audio routing, so no app can exclude-grab audio, unlike the problem with Flash on Linux Desktop with ALSA a decade ago), so there I suspect a "anti-echo b0rking the recording volume" situation.

DrYak ( 2019-06-11 20:21:47 +0200 )edit
0

answered 2019-06-12 18:16:19 +0200

jsommer gravatar image

Another option is to use Twinme. This app is available in the Jolla app store.

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I'm unable to find Twinme in Jolla store, could you please help with app name

Linuxovod ( 2019-06-13 12:18:07 +0200 )edit

Sure. The name is Twinme. Open your Jolla Harbour App on your device. However, it seems that Jolla Harbour is not the same as Jolla Harbour. Depending on the Sailfish distribution other apps seem to be available. I am using an Intex Aqua Fish.

Screenshot

jsommer ( 2019-06-13 14:47:53 +0200 )edit

I'm on XA2 and I don't see Twinme in Jolla Store

Linuxovod ( 2019-06-13 15:48:09 +0200 )edit

Ok, do you see the Yalp store? You could install Twinme with the Yalp store.

jsommer ( 2019-06-13 17:26:31 +0200 )edit
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Asked: 2019-06-09 02:25:00 +0200

Seen: 1,114 times

Last updated: Jun 12 '19