Apple’s recent update for iOS 17 and macOS Sonoma is full of fresh additions to make your device more fun and interactive. While these updates promise to make communication more lively, they’ve also been causing quite the stir, especially in settings where a more somber tone is required.
The same Facetime reactions can also pop up during Facetime meetings
The update allows FaceTime users to add 3D reactions like emojis and other visual effects by making simple hand gestures. For instance, thumbs-up can prompt a 3D emoji, and other gestures can produce balloons or even fireworks on the screen. It sounds fun on paper, but in practice, not everyone is laughing.
One of the most noteworthy complaints comes from the telehealth community. Imagine discussing a serious issue with your therapist, only for fireworks to burst on screen as you give a thumbs-up to acknowledge a point. This exact scenario happened to a user, as shared by Matt Haughey on Mastodon. It’s no wonder SimplePractice, a telehealth service, has started issuing warnings about FaceTime’s flashy features that are turned on by default.
The issue extends beyond therapy sessions. What if you’re on a professional call and an inadvertent hand gesture sends confetti streaming across the screen? It can be mortifying and not at all in line with the tone of a business discussion.
Though you can disable these 3D reactions, many users are unaware of this, leading to awkward and sometimes inappropriate moments. For those who rely on FaceTime for serious conversations, Apple‘s attempt to liven up interactions might be a case of good intentions gone awry. As it stands, sometimes less is more—even in the age of AR.
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(Via)
