FaceTime versus Fring: iPhone 4 Throwdown

FaceTime for iPhone 4 displays high-quality video of the caller (top right window,) though much grainier footage of our caller's camera. The three on-screen buttons make it easy to mute or end a call, and switch between the front-facing camera and standard back-of-camera view for the feed we produced. FaceTime video calls function in both portrait and landscape modes.

The fact that FaceTime is integrated into the address book also lends it an advantage over third-party apps, mostly because there are two ways to launch it immediately, and directly from the iPhone 4's contact list. Third-party apps, of course, require you to launch the program first, log in, and then seek out whomever is online.

At this stage, Fring's iPhone app just can't compete on the iPhone 4. Its VoIP video calling works fine, but calls are one-way, for a start. Despite the fact that Fring works on the iPhone 4, the software hasn't yet been updated  to take advantage of the phone's front-facing camera. iPhone owners can view others' Web cameras in a Fring call, but can't yet broadcast their own.

Strong 3G connection when you're on the move

Even if you've got a strong 3G connection when you're on the move, you're out of luck. Hardware specifications, like that front-facing camera, limit its use to calls from one iPhone 4 to another, which essentially will cause anyone who doesn't have an iPhone 4--or anyone calling anyone without an iPhone 4--to find another video calling solution.