Appletell | Apple, Mac, iPhone, iPod | News, Rumors, Reviews, How-Tos

Subscribe to our content for free: (?)
Get our Daily Email

12mail - what visual mail was meant to be

by Jake Gaecke on Sep 22, 2009 at 11:59 AM

12mail appRemember visual voicemail? I suppose it was kind of a big deal; though, you have to admit, it left you wanting a bit more. What I mean is this; it says visual voice mail, but there isn’t much visual about it. It’s almost 2010, darnit! Why don’t we have video mail? Well, thanks to 12 mail, we do.

Yes,12mail feels a little bit like the future. If you have an iPhone 3GS, you’ve likely been itching to get a bit more use out of that camera. After all, you have the extra S at the end of your iPhone’s model designation, you’d better take some video.

And that’s just what 12mail lets you do. It’s simple. Just log in to your Twitter and/or Facebook account and immediately you can start taking and sharing video messages with any of your contacts.  You can send messages directly to certain contacts, or you can post an update to you feed for all to see.  It takes advantage of 12seconds.tv, but in an iPhone optimized fashion.

Okay, I might have an iPhone 3GS, but that doesn’t mean you do.  Thankfully, 12mail still works with other iDevices, though less so. With an iPhone or iPhone 3G, you can take a picture and add a voice message. It’s not as glamorous or fun as taking a video, but it’s something.

12mail messagesSo the app will take and send your videos, but that’s only half of it. When a message is sent to you, you get a text notification and the video downloads to the app.  Then, all you do is click the message and your video plays, the way visual mail was supposed to work.  In Twitter or on Facebook, you’ll have to click a link to see your video, so it’s not as slick, but hey, download the app already.

The only real limitations are kind of obvious. Your messages are limited to 12 seconds, and for some reason, you can’t send an email with your video message. Other than that, this app is a blast, and, best of all, it’s free.

Now go download the app, follow me on Twitter and while you’re at it, follow Bill Stiteler and Kirk Hiner, the editor, too. Be sure to send them some funny videos. Seriously, it will be hilarious.

Subscribe to keep up with the latest Apple news and rumors! - Subscribe to our feed


Join the Discussion

Name: *

Email: *

Location (Links to Google Maps):

URL:

Enter Your Comment Below...

* Required fields

Remember my information?

Notify me of follow-up comments?

Submit the word you see below:


Special Features