Skype questions... M.Amy (:P) or anyone :)

daisydana

So, my parents go to Hawaii every year (Dad goes for six weeks, Mom for eight) and this year, they want to Skype. I know nothing about it - except the horror it can be (lol).

My Mom bought two (logitech?) cameras on someone's advice, one for us and one for them. They have a laptop they are taking. We have a mac, a laptop, and I have an iPhone 4. As soon as she gave us the camera I thought what the hell do we need this for? As far as I know every single computer made has a built in camera. Right?

So my questions are... Do we need the cameras? Should I use my iPhone (even though Sydney loves to grab it)? Or am I better off using a stationary computer and using the camera to pan around?

Any advice is appreciated TIA!

KirstieC

If your laptop has a camera built in, I would use that. Much easier and more convenient to move around. I suppose you could use your iPhone as well, but I don't know how good the picture quality would be and you might not get as good a connection. As far as grabbing the iPhone, you'll probably have to deal with the same thing if you use a laptop. We use a laptop and Betty Jane is constantly chasing the screen.

I have to say that with us in Los Angeles and all the grandparents in Chicago and Virginia, it's quite convenient.

M.Amy

You should not need a camera if you have an iphone and or cameras in your computers.

My set up is a Macbook Air. KirstieC is right, Matt goes for the laptop everytime so what I usually do is start with Matt at the computer so they can say hi then I raise the laptop up on a table and they watch him play.  

DH prefers using his iPhone with his dad but that is not for long periods of time so his arm does not get tired. He may also be using Facetime rather than Skype.  I have found Skype is very sensitive to bad weather - if it is raining or windy or snowing at my parents house the reception is bad.  The images are not fantastically clear but Matt recognizes them on the screen.

Skype is now available for use with all iPhones and I have not tried it with my 3G yet.  

Married2003

I would use the iPhone but there is also Yahoo chat that's better with video.

amtaka

We use Skype when DH is traveling for work or when we travel with him so Grandparents can see Leah.  If you have a camera on the laptop I'd use that.  Like PP said, it's easier to move around.  Leah loves to attack the laptop so I usually position it on a table out of her reach so everyone can see her playing.  My parents are not very computer savy but they've picked up Skype pretty well.  They love the fact that  they can see Leah when she's far away and Leah loves seeing familiar faces on the computer.  It's very convenient.  And the fact that it's free doesn't hurt either. 

daisydana

Thank you so much everyone! I didn't think we needed the extra cameras