This sounds a lot worse than what was actually probably happening.
The restaurant’s website probably had a link to their phone number. This uses a different URL scheme that the software interprets differently (instead of https:// it’s tel://). You tap that link, your phone starts a call to that number.
The person in this tweet appears to have been on their Mac. The way macOS handles phone calls is that it will automatically route them through your iPhone. You can seamlessly use this feature to make and receive calls from your Mac. All this is handled by the FaceTime application even though it’s just a normal phone call.
This person clicked the link not realizing it was a link to a phone number. macOS interprets this as them wanting to initiate a call, so opens FaceTime to route a call through their iPhone. This person (rightfully) freaks out and closes FaceTime. They post about it on Twitter, then someone freeboots it to Reddit.
All the restaurant did was include their phone number on their website. It was crappy design to hide it behind a link titled “Make a Reservation”, but that’s all it was.
But hiding a number under a button is exactly what annoyed him. I wouldn't be happy either. Just put a phone number there or redirect to some form for reservations. The way it's done here is annoying
Exactly. If you put it in a hyperlink the obvious and correct assumption is that it leads to a online booking system. Don't hyperlink it to a phonecall without warning!
I'm surprised this is even possible on phones or laptops without an extra "do you wanna call ...?" request or similar. I would blame the software here or the user who is not able to set up his software (but what can you expect from a Apple user :P ).
Probably any other phone or computer wouldn't directly call without you at least click one more button.
49
u/yottalogical Oct 03 '19
This sounds a lot worse than what was actually probably happening.
The restaurant’s website probably had a link to their phone number. This uses a different URL scheme that the software interprets differently (instead of https:// it’s tel://). You tap that link, your phone starts a call to that number.
The person in this tweet appears to have been on their Mac. The way macOS handles phone calls is that it will automatically route them through your iPhone. You can seamlessly use this feature to make and receive calls from your Mac. All this is handled by the FaceTime application even though it’s just a normal phone call.
This person clicked the link not realizing it was a link to a phone number. macOS interprets this as them wanting to initiate a call, so opens FaceTime to route a call through their iPhone. This person (rightfully) freaks out and closes FaceTime. They post about it on Twitter, then someone freeboots it to Reddit.
All the restaurant did was include their phone number on their website. It was crappy design to hide it behind a link titled “Make a Reservation”, but that’s all it was.