Engadget

Fring launches Playgrounds for group video chat with friends or randoms (video)

Lydia Leavitt — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 08:40:00 EST

We all remember kicking it in anonymous chat rooms masked behind the safety of a screen name, but today Fring announced a new way to engage with randoms -- this time with video. Playground lets users start their own video chat or join an existing room based on topic, with friends or complete strangers. We've seen four-way video from the app before, but the new feature takes it a step further -- similar to joining a Hangout in Google+, only on a mobile phone. Although it does sound creepily Chatroulette-ish, it's free (unlike Skype's group video calling) and works on iOS and Android Phones -- so go ahead, take a peek and see what's actually going on in "Voldemort's Death Eater" channel. Check out the demo and full PR after the break.

Continue reading Fring launches Playgrounds for group video chat with friends or randoms (video)

Fring launches Playgrounds for group video chat with friends or randoms (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 09 Sep 2011 08:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fring optimizes its four-way video calling app for smiley iPad 2 owners

Terrence O'Brien — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 06:57:00 EST

Sure, you could have fired up Fring to make four-way video calls from your iPad 2 this whole time, but you'd have saddled with an iPhone-sized interface on your 9.7-inch IPS screen. And, as we say around the Engadget compound -- tablet optimized or get the frack out. OK, we don't really say that, but everything is better when it's designed for the screen you intend to use it on. So, we're very pleased to tell you that Fring has been updated with proper iPad support (cue cheers). Basically there's no reason to use Facetime now, with its lame single-caller and WiFi only limitations. Hit up the source link if you're in the group video chatting mood.

Fring optimizes its four-way video calling app for smiley iPad 2 owners originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Jun 2011 06:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fring Group Video goes live, enables four-way mobile video calls for free

Richard Lai — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 12:00:00 EST

If you missed the opportunity to get your hands on Fring's limited Group Video beta, fret not, because the free service has just gone live for everyone on this planet. What this means is that all Fringsters on compatible iOS 4.x and Android 1.5+ devices (1GHz and above recommended) can now have up to three friends on one video call, and as before, you can do so over either WiFi, 3G, or 4G. Hit your nearest app market for the software update to join the fun, and head past the break to see how Group Video works.

Continue reading Fring Group Video goes live, enables four-way mobile video calls for free

Fring Group Video goes live, enables four-way mobile video calls for free originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 Apr 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fring launches Group Video Calling beta

Sean Cooper — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 18:20:00 EST

Sure, we may all remember the Skype and Fring video calling debacle, but that's all water under the bridge for Fring as it launches its Group Video Calling beta. That's right, you and four buddies can now video chat in real time from your iPhone or Android set -- if you're one of the lucky few to get in while the call for testers is open. Details are pretty meager here, and there's no mention of any type of desktop client support, but the quality in the demo looks to be pretty top shelf considering your handset has to deal with not one but four displays. How long it'll run or how many users are being accepted is also a bit of a mystery but we'd expect signing up will likely solve some of those riddles. So, tell us: is this something you'd use? Love? Please let us know in the comments below how you get on.

Fring launches Group Video Calling beta originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 08 Apr 2011 18:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fring adds Dynamic Video Quality to its video calling apps

Paul Miller — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 15:05:00 EST

Fring is working hard to seize on this (hopefully temporary) gap in the video chat firmament, where Google is lacking in a first party mobile video chat solution, Apple's supposedly open FaceTime standard has yet to be opened, and Skype is dragging its feet on a mobile video call implementation. We're not sure how long that will last, but until then we're happy to have Fring sprucing up its own cross-platform solution. Fring just pushed out new Android and iPhone versions of its app that include "DVQ," or "Dynamic Video Quality" for video calling. It's pretty simple: the video quality automatically (and asynchronously) adjusts to use your available bandwidth, with an emphasis on keeping the audio stream pure and uninterrupted. It might sound like a no brainer, but it's a nice touch -- particularly for folks straying from WiFi and trying their luck with carrier data. Check out a video of DVQ in action after the break.

Continue reading Fring adds Dynamic Video Quality to its video calling apps

Fring adds Dynamic Video Quality to its video calling apps originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 06 Dec 2010 15:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fring matches Skype, intros FringOut for low-rate Android calls

Vlad Savov — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 06:15:00 EST

We didn't think competition in the cheapo calls market was quite so intense, but here we are, with Fring and Skype gunning for each other with near-simultaneous launches. After Skype finally released its long-awaited Android app, Fring is countering with an Android rollout of its own FringOut service -- an additional option to the chat and video calling client which lets you call phone numbers for as little as one American cent per minute. You'll recall this addition started its life on Symbian initially, has now landed on Android, and will soon be making the transition to the iPhone. To experience it for yourself, update your Fring app to the latest version and enjoy the benefits of a competitive marketplace.

Fring matches Skype, intros FringOut for low-rate Android calls originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Oct 2010 06:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fring reveals FringOut for cheap VoIP calls, challenges Skype head-on

Sean Hollister — Sun, 19 Sep 2010 19:16:00 EST

When we first caught wind of Fring a while back, Skype compatibility was the draw, but as the years progressed and Fring grew some, the VoIP services didn't exactly get along. Today, the company's taking matters into its own hands with the not-so-subtly named FringOut, which appears to provide even cheaper calls to landlines and mobile phones than its powerful namesake. Starting on Nokia's S60 platform and "coming soon" to Android and iPhone, FringOut's promising as-low-as one-cent-a-minute calls. Sounds like a deal to us, but of course, call quality is paramount -- let us know if you like what you hear if you happen to try it out. PR and video after the break.

Continue reading Fring reveals FringOut for cheap VoIP calls, challenges Skype head-on

Fring reveals FringOut for cheap VoIP calls, challenges Skype head-on originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 19 Sep 2010 19:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Skype says Fring violated its Terms of Use, 'damaging our brand and reputation' in the process

Joseph L. Flatley — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 15:29:00 EST

It looks like Fring's recent decision to block Skype access to its iPhone 4 video app was the final straw for Skype, who charges that VoIP network was in breach of the Terms of Use and EULA for the Skype API. "Over time," writes General Counsel Robert Miller, "Fring's mis-use of our software was increasingly damaging our brand and reputation with our customers." Although they've "been talking with Fring for some time to try to resolve this amicably," Friday's action is being called "disappointing [for] our customers, who have high expectations of the Skype experience." He goes on to say that "Skype will rigorously protect our brand and reputation, and those developers that do not comply with our terms will be subject to legal enforcement." Meaning, presumably, that in the case of more Fring shenanigans there will be some sort of red-hot legal action. For its part, Fring CEO Avi Shechter had this to say: "We are disappointed that Skype, who once championed the cause of openness, is now attempting to muzzle competition, even to the detriment of its own users." Which is all well and good, but we can hardly see how Skype is the problem here when you were the ones who locked out its users in the first place.

Skype says Fring violated its Terms of Use, 'damaging our brand and reputation' in the process originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 12 Jul 2010 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fring bends under the pressure of iPhone video calling, Skype temporarily locked down

Chris Ziegler — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 19:42:00 EST

We guess this is a "good" thing in a roundabout way, but Fring has just dropped the knowledge that its video calling update for the iPhone 4 has been so wildly successful that they've been forced to temporarily restrict Skype access to "free up capacity" for direct Fring-to-Fring calls. Hopefully the company is hard at work beefing up its infrastructure to bring everything back to normal -- but in the meantime, at least you've got an easy way to look your EVO-toting friends square in the face without having to actually see them in the flesh. Perish the thought!

[Thanks, Roy]

Fring bends under the pressure of iPhone video calling, Skype temporarily locked down originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 09 Jul 2010 19:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Engadget Podcast 204: Q&A Bonanza - 07.09.2010

Trent Wolbe — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 15:37:00 EST

Find out what happens when consumer electronics news stops being polite and starts getting real: the Engadget Podcasters take your questions. Find out the real story behind Kin's failure (hint: it was Josh's fault), why the Engadget staff is Mac-based (hint: it has to do with nested stock options), and why Paul Miller is still playing Chrono Trigger.

Hosts: Joshua Topolsky, Nilay Patel, Paul Miller
Guest: Michael Gartenberg
Producer: Trent Wolbe
Music: Alejandro

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Filed under: Podcasts

Engadget Podcast 204: Q&A Bonanza - 07.09.2010 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 09 Jul 2010 15:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fring update approved for iPhone, does video calling with front cam over 3G

Chris Ziegler — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 17:35:00 EST

We weren't exactly sure whether Apple was going to approve third-party video calling apps using the front camera on the iPhone 4, but good news: the answer is "yes." Fring just slid in a new version of its longstanding iPhone app today featuring support for video calling, which is pretty awesome in and of itself -- but the real news is that it works just fine over 3G, as you can see in our quick test above between Chicago and London. This opens the door for services that could have potentially broader implications than FaceTime itself, since Apple's service is limited to WiFi and currently only works between iPhone 4s. Just make sure you're wearing clothes when you call, alright?

Fring update approved for iPhone, does video calling with front cam over 3G originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Jul 2010 17:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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3G video call on Fring for Android: bringing HTC EVO 4G and Dell Streak together (hands-on)

Richard Lai — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 16:02:00 EST

Consider this: you may have an Android phone with a front-facing camera, and so do your distant loved ones (yes, friends count too). Now slap that free IM app Fring onto your phone, and the once-dormant chat camera shall finally come to life -- right now only the Streak and EVO 4G are supported, whereas the others (like the X10) will have to rely on their main cameras. Still, Fring also supports dual-camera Symbian devices plus Skype video calls to and from computers, and since it isn't locked down to any particular connection method, users with unlimited data allowance get to make free 3G video calls! Take that, FaceTime. Read on to watch our very own transatlantic banter.

Continue reading 3G video call on Fring for Android: bringing HTC EVO 4G and Dell Streak together (hands-on)

3G video call on Fring for Android: bringing HTC EVO 4G and Dell Streak together (hands-on) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 19 Jun 2010 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fring for iPhone now lets you call with Skype over 3G

Ross Miller — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 21:24:00 EST

Now that the iPhone SDK seems to allow for 3G VoIP, it looks like the floodgates are beginning to open. Joining the ranks of iCall in this somewhat uncharted territory is Fring. Same deal as the previous one, the ability is already inherent in the current build, and now that the restriction has been lifted, users can simply place calls as they usually do through the service -- yes, that includes Skype calls -- only now not tethered to the nearest 802.11 cloud. As for the native Skype app, last we checked it was still not working. But it's only a matter of time.

Fring for iPhone now lets you call with Skype over 3G originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 28 Jan 2010 21:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fring brings one-way video calling to the iPhone

Donald Melanson — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 13:18:00 EST

Fring was the first to bring VoIP calls to the iPhone, and it looks like it's now finally done the same for video calling -- sort of. While it obviously can't do much to change the camera placement on the iPhone, the latest version of the app will at least let iPhone users (and iPod touch users, for that matter) see the person on the other end, and Fring says it'll add two-way video calling whenever "a front camera is placed on these." As with the company's app for Nokia devices, you'll also be able to make video calls to Skype users, but you'll have to make sure you're in the vicinity of a WiFi hotspot, as this one doesn't support calls on 3G. Head on past the break for a video.

Update: As we've been reminded, while Fring did somewhat beat it to the punch by making an app available for jailbroken iPhones, Truphone was actually the first VoIP app to be demoed, and the first to be officially approved an authorized by Apple.

Continue reading Fring brings one-way video calling to the iPhone

Fring brings one-way video calling to the iPhone originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 Dec 2009 13:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fring adds Skype video support on S60, threatens to make front cams useful

Chris Ziegler — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 13:06:00 EST

Considering the proliferation of 3G, WiFi, in-home broadband, and front-facing cameras on phones, you'd think that there'd be far more obvious ways to bridge video calls between phones and PCs -- but alas, it's virtually impossible, particularly in the States where carriers have a complete aversion to the topic. Enter Fring -- one of the mobile industry's VoIP pioneers that has spread its love from Symbian to almost every smartphone platform worth mentioning over the years -- which is stepping out today with a new build for S60 handsets that offers video support through Skype. The way we see it, this is great news for a couple of reasons: one, Skype is one of the few videoconferencing systems with widespread traction, and two, this suddenly makes front-facing cams useful to a whole swath of Nokia users on networks (ahem, AT&T and T-Mobile) that don't offer video calling themselves. Whether we actually use it is another story altogether, but hey, it's cool to have it if we absolutely must see your beautiful face right now in stunning low fidelity. Follow the break for a video demo.

Continue reading Fring adds Skype video support on S60, threatens to make front cams useful

Fring adds Skype video support on S60, threatens to make front cams useful originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 13:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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iPhone gets VoIP and chat options thanks to Fring

Joshua Topolsky — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 15:55:00 EST

Sure, the iPhone is cool looking, works out a lot, and is really good at math... but it can't do VoIP, can it? Well, yes it can -- and you can, thanks to a company called Fring and a piece of ingenious software (for jailbreakers only). Using the native app, it's now possible to place and receive calls via your WiFi connection, thus making AT&T CEOs cry like little babies. Besides doing Skype and the like, the app also lets you connect for chats via MSN Messenger, ICQ, GTalk, SIP, Twitter, AIM, and Yahoo!, which should make this an attractive package even if you don't want to harness the raw power of IP telephony. You can get the application for free by loading up Installer with the company's repo. Check the video after the break to see the magic happen.

[Via Zatz Not Funny!]

Continue reading iPhone gets VoIP and chat options thanks to Fring

Filed under: Software, Apple, iPhone OS

iPhone gets VoIP and chat options thanks to Fring originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 15 Apr 2008 15:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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iPhone gets VoIP and chat options thanks to Fring

Joshua Topolsky — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 15:55:00 EST

Continue reading iPhone gets VoIP and chat options thanks to Fring

Filed under: Cellphones

iPhone gets VoIP and chat options thanks to Fring originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 15 Apr 2008 15:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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'Fring' it up with mobile Skype and Google Talk

Brian White — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 05:18:00 EST

Yeah, we know there are tons o' official hacks to get Skype working on the ~~Windows Mobile~~ Symbian front, but there, umm, unofficial and choke many an underpowered Symbian device these days. So, if you're determined to bypass those costly voice minutes from the various mobile carrier networks and want to VoIP it up over that 3G data connection or with that zingy Wi-Fi connection on your smartphone, Fring may be for you. But, don't break out the virtual champagne just yet...Fring assuredly makes its money on a percentage basis from those svelte Skype interconnections it will provide. We're a little sure that Skype has made it officially hard to use its service from a mobile device so that it won't anger the mobile carriers, but Fring does not seem to care (nor should it.) Oh, you get access to Google Talk as well in addition to Skype calls. Bring it on, Fring.

[Thanks to all for the Symbian correction]

Filed under: Software, Windows Mobile

'Fring' it up with mobile Skype and Google Talk originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Feb 2007 05:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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