Apple opens its video conferencing software to Windows, Android

Apple has said its App Store practices grow the market for mobile software by creating an environment for paid apps that consumers trust.

Apple Inc on Monday showed updates to its FaceTime video chat app, adding the ability to schedule calls with multiple attendees and making the software compatible with Android and Windows devices.

The move, which puts Apple in more direct competition with companies like Zoom Video Communications Inc that gained prominence during the pandemic, was the first major announcement from Apple's annual meeting for software developers.

Apple also added features such as background blurring and audio improvements that Craig Federighi, Apple's software chief, said were aimed at making video calls capture the nuances of in-person conversation.

"When talking on a video call, many of