Creative Uses for Your iSi: A How-To Guide

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When it comes to making the most out of your Apple devices for video chatting and capturing fun moments, there are a plethora of applications you can take advantage of. Whether you want to chat with friends, create videos, or just capture snapshots, this guide will walk you through a variety of apps and features that fit your needs.

Getting Started with Video Chatting on Apple Devices

Apple’s ecosystem offers a range of apps to make video chatting easy and fun. Here’s a breakdown of some applications you can use for video calls and how to enhance your experience.

1. Video Chatting Apps

Start your video chatting journey with these top apps:

iChat AV: An excellent choice for text, audio, and video chatting. It allows you to connect with other AIM and Jabber clients, enabling you to chat with people on various platforms.

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Skype: This well-known app offers cross-platform video calls and is now available for Mac users. It’s perfect for staying connected with friends or family, regardless of their devices.
Yahoo! Messenger: A classic choice for text and video chat. It’s known for its straightforward interface, although some audio features may be limited on Mac.
iVisit and Yak For Free: Both provide cross-platform chatting capabilities. They allow you to connect via video, audio, and instant messaging without relying on AIM or MSN.

2. Recording and Snapshot Tools

If you want to capture moments during your video calls, consider the following tools:

QuickTime 7 Pro: Ideal for recording movie clips directly from your screen. It also works well with other video chat applications, making it easy to save your conversations.
SnapZ Pro: This software allows you to record videos from iChat AV and other video windows, so you can save important moments for later.
CamGrabber: A simple tool that enables you to take snapshots during video calls, perfect for capturing spontaneous moments.

3. Enhancing Your Video Quality

If you want to improve your video quality, try these add-ons:

iGlasses: This app lets you tweak the settings of your iSight camera, offering adjustments to brightness, contrast, and more.
iChatUSBCam: Great for users with older Macs, this app allows your iSight camera to work more efficiently, resulting in clearer video.

Making Use of Webcams

For those looking to turn their Mac into a webcam powerhouse, here are some additional tools:

EvoCam: This software offers advanced webcam features, including motion detection and the ability to stream video live.
SecuritySpy: A more robust option, perfect for turning your iSight into a surveillance camera.

Using Bar Code Scanners

If you need to scan barcodes, consider:

EvoBarcode: A handy app that allows you to scan various barcodes directly from your Mac.
Delicious Library: Perfect for scanning library barcodes, though some users report it may create conflicts with certain plugins.

Tips for Maximizing iChat and Video Apps

Jabber Setup: If you want to expand your chat options, consider registering for a Jabber account to connect with more services.
Public Jabber Servers: Use various public servers to find the one that best suits your needs.

Final Thoughts

With these applications and tips in hand, you can easily set up video chats, capture moments, and enhance your overall experience on your Apple devices. Remember that each app may have unique features, so take some time to explore and find the ones best suited to your needs. Happy chatting!