How to set up video chat on iPad with Hotmail

January 22, 2012 6:15 AM

How do I set up my iPad for video chatting with Hotmail? I just recently reconnected with some former deaf students of mine, after about 25 years (thank you, Facebook). We have been communicating by email but written language is not optimal. One of my former students has asked that I video chat with him via Hotmail. I have created Hotmail account, now what? I'd like to be able to do this directly through my iPad, as well as by connecting my iPad to a PC and using it as a webcam. Also any tips for placement of the iPad for use while signing would be appreciated.
posted by ms_rasclark to Computers & Internet (6 answers total)

I don't think there is a video chat app for hotmail- the text chat systems are quite open but the video versions are kept secret by each respective service provider. You best bet is probably Skype who has a pretty good video function. Skype has clients for most types of computers and the iPhone /iPad. This service is also free.
posted by brorfred at 7:18 AM on January 22, 2012

Google Hangouts is another option - everybody will have to have a Google + account though.
posted by COD at 7:20 AM on January 22, 2012

I can't find a hotmail solution. Windows Live Messenger, from Microsoft for the iPhone, has no video chat support, and that would be the normal way to do video chat.

You would have to use some other chat program on another account, such as vSocial for Facebook directly, or Vtok for Google Talk .

This article lists some choices.

I have no experience with either of these, but vSocial sounds like it would be the easiest for your friend. Good luck.
posted by blob at 7:21 AM on January 22, 2012

Well if you both have ipad2 or iPhones with FaceTime, it could be done that way. Couldn't tell from your question which iPad you have.
posted by tamitang at 9:59 AM on January 22, 2012

You can also use FaceTime if you have a Mac, too, and it has the notable [dis]advantage over something like Skype inasmuch as it's always available whenever you're on wi-fi, rather than just when you're logged in (and if you don't want to talk, the error message on the caller's end looks like you simply weren't available, even if you hit "don't answer").
posted by DoctorFedora at 9:26 PM on January 22, 2012

Response by poster: He has specifically requested I use Hotmail so there is obviously something about his set-up he doesn't know. I'll see if I can get him to use Skype.
posted by ms_rasclark at 5:40 AM on January 23, 2012