A method for tracking a user during a videotelephony session initiated by a videotelephony application program; it includes generating an image stream with a camera external from the smartphone or tablet; at least periodically performing image object analysis from the image stream generated by the external camera to track a position of the user within an image of the image stream; and generating a pan command and/or a tilt command to cause a pan and tilt in order to center the user in the field of view of the external camera.