Apple Thoughts - News & Reviews on all things Apple

"Just last week, we saw an early glimpse of Skype’s upcoming iPad app, but today, Fring appears to be one step ahead of the game. Fring’s free Video Calls + IM app got an update Monday that brings full iPad-optimized group video chat for up to four users, and it works with any platform where Fring has presence, and on both Wi-Fi and 3G connections."

Fring appears to be the first to bring group chat to the iPad, with its client managing four-way chats, while Skype is late to the party, and early information makes no mention of (free, like Fring) four-way chat capabilities. One huge advantage for Skype is that it supports desktop (and laptop) clients, while Fring is only for Smartphones and iOS devices. I haven't tried any video chatting using 3G, but I think that a four-way chat on any 3G network would be an especially frustrating experience.

"The latest iPhone and iPod touch are nearly identical devices, ignoring the pesky reality that the latter isn't a phone. We can fix that. Here's how to turn your iPod touch into a viable (and cheaper) iPhone alternative out of the box."

Looking for a way to reduce your mobile phone bills? Without jailbreaking, it is easy to turn your iPod Touch (and a headset) into a VoIP phone, assuming that you have a WiFi connection when needed. Skype (free if using skype-to-skype) and Line2 (formerly available mainly to jailbreakers, free app, $10/month cost) are good options, as is Fring. All provide good connections with a good WiFi signal. And, of course, SIP apps work as well.

Downsides? Skyping works well within Skype (skype-to-skype), but if you want (or need) a real phone number, it's not free. Line2 is a solid app, but needs to be running in the background, otherwise calls go to voice mail. A $10 monthly fee includes unlimited calling in the US and Canada, and is quite reasonably when compared to carrier post-paid costs.

No WiFi or in a car? You'll need a cellular data plan (and hardware) like Verizon's MiFi or Sprint's Overdrive: a small box that provides an instant hot-spot for about $60 per month for 5GB of data. Coverage is good, but this is a good alternative only if you make a lot of mobile calls (and of course use the cellular data).

Real World results? In a test while cruising the LA freeway system using a MiFi box, VoIP call quality was better than native iPhone calls, lag was more noticeable, dropped calls were about the same, but dropped much less gracefully than native iPhone calls. Overall, pretty equivalent. A downside here: yet another gadget to carry around, and the MiFi battery doesn't have a very long life. Don't forget the power cord.

The article also mentions Siphon SIP/VoIP for jailbroken iPod Touches. Similar to Fring, but better iOS integration.

I can see this technology being invaluable for international travel, to avoid those $120 phone calls.

"Last week Fring launched a client for the iPhone that allows two-way video calling over the 3G data network, but it seems that Fring has overloading problems like we often see on AT&T and Fring had to take actions to shut off support for Skype for all Fring users."

Just last week, we reported that a recent update to Fring for the iPhone 4 would allow users to use the front facing camera to make Skype calls. The service was apparently so popular that it overloaded Fring's servers and their ability to provide service to Fring users. In response, they have shut down support for Skype in all mobile versions of Fring, including the iPhone 4 app. Fring to Fring video calling will still work, but for now, Skype to Skype over Fring will no longer work. Was anybody using Skype support on Fring, and if so, what was the experience like? And will this encourage you to use Fring to Fring calls, or will you just wait for them to turn Skype access back on?

"Fring has just updated their app to allow iPhone 4 users to chat with Android and Nokia/Symbian S60 users with the appropriate camera hardware. So while FaceTime remains easier and slicker if you’re both on iPhone 4 on Wi-Fi, if you want to get some cross-platform chat on, this is your go-to option."

This is a pretty cool way to chat with your friends who are Android fans if you're carrying around an iPhone 4. I don't have an iPhone 4 or an HTC Evo to test this with, but I'm hoping we see more of this kind of thing in the future. I'm on a Nexus One, and I'm ready to move to a phone with a front facing camera. It'll be nice when there are more options for using those front facing cameras. This works with Fring on the iPhone 4, Android phones and Symbian phones. The EVO used was on 4g, and the iPhone on WiFi. I'm not sure if you can use the Fring app over 3g on the iPhone. Has anyone tried this? If so, what was your experience like?