Chapter 6
Talking via Messages and FaceTime
OS X comes with the Messages application, which you use to exchange instant messages with other OS X users, as well as anyone with an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. You can also use FaceTime to make video calls to other people.
Configure Messages
OS X Mavericks includes the Messages application to enable you to use the iMessage technology to exchange instant messages with other people who are online. The first time you open Messages, you must run through a short configuration process to set up your account. This process involves signing in with your Apple ID and deciding whether you want Messages to send out notifications that tell people when you have read the messages they send to you.
Configure Messages
Click Messages (
).
The iMessage dialog appears.
Type your Apple ID.
Type your Apple ID password.
Click Sign In.
Click to deselect the check box beside each phone number and e-mail address that you do not want to use with Messages (
changes to 
).
If you want other people to know when you have read their messages, click Send read receipts ( changes to ).
Click Done.
Messages is now ready to use.
Send a Message
In the Messages application, an instant messaging conversation is most often the exchange of text messages between two or more people who are online and available to chat.
An instant messaging conversation begins with one person inviting another person to exchange messages. In Messages, this means sending an initial instant message, and the recipient either accepts or rejects the invitation.
Send a Message
Click Compose new message (
).
Note: You can also click File and then click New Message, or press 
+
.
Messages begins a new conversation.
In the To field, type the message recipient using one of the following:
The person’s e-mail address.
The person’s mobile phone number.
The person’s name, if that person is in your Contacts list.
A You can also click Add Contact (
) to select a name from your Contacts list.
Type your message.
B You can also click here if you want to insert a smiley symbol into your message.
Press 
.
Messages sends the text to the recipient.
C The recipient’s response appears in the transcript window.
D You see the ellipsis symbol (
) when the other person is typing.
Repeat steps 3 and 4 to continue the conversation.
TIP
Can I change my picture?
Yes. Click Messages and then click Change My Picture. In the Edit Picture dialog that appears, select a category (such as Defaults for the OS X default account images, or Other to choose one of your own images), select the picture, and then click Done.
Send a File in a Message
If, during an instant messaging conversation, you realize you need to send someone a file, you can save time by sending the file directly from the Messages application.
When you need to send a file to another person, your first thought might be to attach that file to an e-mail message. However, if you happen to be in the middle of an instant messaging conversation with that person, it is easier and faster to use Messages to send the file.
Send a File in a Message
Start the conversation with the person to whom you want to send the file.
Click Buddies.
Click Send File.
Note: You can also press 
++
.
Messages displays a file selection dialog.
Click the file you want to send.
Click Send.
A Messages adds an icon for the file to the message box.
Type your message.
Press .
Messages sends the message and adds the file as an attachment.
TIP
How do I save a file that I receive during a conversation?
When you receive a message that has a file attachment, the message shows the name of the file, with the file’s type icon to the left and a downward-pointing arrow (
) to the right. Click to save the file to your Downloads folder. Messages saves the file and then displays the Downloads folder.
Sign In to FaceTime
FaceTime is a video chat feature that enables you to see and speak to another person over the Internet. To use FaceTime to conduct video chats with your friends, you must each first sign in using your Apple ID. This could be an iCloud account that uses the Apple icloud.com address, or it could be your existing e-mail address.
After you create your Apple ID, you can use it to sign in to FaceTime. Note that you only have to do this once. In subsequent sessions, FaceTime automatically signs you in.
Sign In to FaceTime
In the Dock, click FaceTime (
).
The FaceTime window appears.
Type your Apple ID e-mail address.
Type your Apple ID password.
Click Sign In.
FaceTime prompts you to specify an e-mail address that people can use to contact you via FaceTime.
If the address you prefer to use is different from your Apple ID, type the address you want to use.
Click Next.
FaceTime verifies your Apple ID and then displays a list of contacts.
Connect Through FaceTime
Once you sign in with your Apple ID, you can use the FaceTime application to connect with another person and conduct a video chat. How you connect depends on what device the other person is using for FaceTime. If the person is using a Mac, an iPad, or an iPod touch, you can use whatever e-mail address the person has designated as his or her FaceTime contact address, as described in the previous section. If the person is using an iPhone 4 or later, you can use that person’s mobile number to make the connection.
Connect Through FaceTime
Click Contacts.
Click the contact you want to call.
FaceTime displays the contact’s data.
Click the phone number (for an iPhone) or e-mail address (for a Mac, iPad, or iPod touch) that you want to use to connect to the contact.
FaceTime sends a message to the contact asking if he or she would like a FaceTime connection.
The other person must click or tap Accept to complete the connection.
FaceTime connects with the other person.
A The other person’s video takes up the bulk of the FaceTime screen.
B Your video appears in the picture-in-picture (PiP) window.
Note: You can click and drag the PiP to a different location within the FaceTime window.
When you finish your FaceTime call, click End.