How To Take Video Calls On The IPad?

Video calls have now become an integral part of our lives. Before the Covid-19 pandemic, video calls were more of a fun item than a necessity. It was unheard of to hold a work meeting online, but a video call was a great way of catching up with friends or loved ones. However, businesses had to find another way when self-isolation regulations came into force to stop the virus. In April 2019, Zoom’s online communications platform reported 10 million daily meeting participants. This number shot up to more than 300 million in April 2020. This figure does not consider other meeting platforms such as Apple’s Facetime, Microsoft Teams, or Google Meet.

iPad Pro 11 Camera Specs

The iPad Pro 11 is fantastic for video calls. Light and portable, you have screen real estate that allows you to hold an online call while using another app. Apple designed the front camera for video calls and titled it the Facetime HD camera. You can work from the comfort of your living room or kitchen. It has a range of features and many options to make your video calls easier.

Centre Stage

The iPad Pro 11’s front camera includes Apple’s latest feature: Centre Stage, which keeps the focus on you. If you get up and walk around in the middle of a call, the camera will zoom out and focus on your face within 122 degrees of the camera lens. This option gives you freedom of movement while keeping you always within sight. There is no need to reposition the iPad or wait for the lens to refocus. Plus, if another person comes into the frame, Centre Stage adjusts the angle and zoom to fit everyone. Centre Stage is available on iPad and iPad Pros with iOS 15 and higher and works on third-party apps such as Zoom or Teams. The app also allows you to turn it off or on.

Portrait Mode

Online calls are convenient but can sometimes put you on the spot. Perhaps you didn’t have time to clean up the kitchen or have a pile of laundry behind you. FaceTime allows you to use it in Portrait mode and blurs your background. This feature is available in other online call apps such as Zoom and Teams.

How To Take Video Calls On Your IPad

1.       FaceTime

FaceTime is Apple’s inbuilt online video call app found on iPads, iPhones, and MacBooks. Look for the green icon with a diagram of a video camera. Tap it and choose whether you want to use video or just audio. You will find a list of your previous calls. Or, if you haven’t used it yet, you can search by name, email, or contact number. When the name pops up, you will see a phone or video icon next to their name. Just tap the video, and you can start. Previously, FaceTime was only available to Apple users. However, iOS 15 and higher made FaceTime available to Windows and Android users. Open FaceTime and choose the Create Link option. The app creates the link, and you can copy and paste it to the receiver or use Apple’s share function.

2.       Messenger

You and the other person must have Facebook accounts and a good Wi-Fi connection. Facebook’s Messenger app allows you to take and receive audio and video calls. Go to the app and tap the People button at the bottom of the screen. Search for the contact and tap their name to open a chat window. Look for the video icon and tap it to start the call.

3.       WhatsApp

The popular messaging platform WhatsApp is still unavailable to download as an app for iOS. However, you can still access it from an iPad by logging on to the web version. Find the person you want to video call, open the chat and tap the camera icon at the top right. You must link your account by scanning a QR code from your phone’s app. However, in a matter of minutes, you will have all your chats and contacts available on your iPad Pro 11.

Tips When Using Video Call

• Stay Safe

Remember that video calls show where you are and what you are doing. Check that you have no personal documents or data open when sharing your screen. In fact, it is a good idea to keep the records you need for the meeting open on your iPad. Don’t give out personal information such as your home address, social security number, or bank details. Remove any family photos from the camera’s range and blur your background.

• Angle the Camera

Camera angles can be highly flattering or outright ridiculous. Position the iPad’s camera at eye level to avoid looking as though you are sinking into the bottom of the screen. Or that your neck is longer than your face. Use a kickstand case that holds your iPad in place. For example, the Zugu iPad Pro 11 inch case has eight adjustable slots that you can select. In addition, there is no risk of the iPad awkwardly slipping out of place during the meeting as each slot has a strong magnet holding the flap in place.