Fring for Android

Even if you never use the free Fring app for making VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) or two-ways calls using Skype or SIP services, it's on the whole a more-than-decent program for chatting with friends on multiple IM networks.

Fring helpfully pulls in contacts from your address book so you can choose to chat, call, or place a video call--the latter depending how fast your phone's processor is and if your chat service will support video calling. You'll be able to IM on GoogleTalk, ICQ, Yahoo, Windows Live Messenger, and AIM, and you can view Twitter messages as then. Unlike Fring on other mobile platforms, this app does not support photo- and file-sharing.

We noticed some sluggishness sometimes; the lack of emoticons will detract from the experience for some. Video calls were as well of inconsistent quality while our tests, even though the new functionality does make Fring a more-compelling app than standalone mobile software like Skype mobile, which at that time of review did not support video calls on Android phones. If your phone lacks a front-facing camera, your contacts will have to either look at the nearby scenery through the camera's viewfinder, or you'll have to turn the phone around so they can see you, nevertheless you won't be able to see them.

Also missing is a quick, intuitive way to sign sometimes chat services in Fring, and a setting to disable Fring from running in the background without logging off. But, Fring's added boost of talking with friends internationally via VoIP over the data connection or Wi-Fi will make up for some flaws.

Fring for Android is your free mobile communication service that lets you make free calls, live chat and video calls, directly on your mobile phone, via your favorite Internet communities: Skype, Google Talk, MSN Messenger, Yahoo, Twitter, Facebook, AIM, ICQ, and SIP.

What's new in this version: Version 3.5.1.4 included fun New Video Chat feature, fixed issues for key phones including Samsung Galaxy S 2, Droid X and Motorola Atrix, and stability improvements.

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