Fans of VoIP calling are having a good day with the release of both Skype and FringOut for the Android platform. The latest release of video-calling app Fring includes FringOut, a service that beats Skype at its own game. With FringOut, Fring calls can be made to or from any carrier, and to any phone globally for $0.01/ minute. Users can still make video calls to other Fring customers and chat with any friends on popular IM services (MSN, Google Talk, etc.).
The new Skype is available for all phones running Android 2.1 and later, not just those limited in the U.S. to Verizon customers (due to a previously exclusive agreement between the two companies). International users can make calls over 3G/4G/Wi-Fi, but customers in the U.S. are restricted to non-Wi-Fi calls only, a real shame. My colleague Ryan Kim has full details on the new Skype on GigaOM.
Both Skype and Fring are available in the Android Market for free download. Making SkypeOut and FringOut calls require credits in the appropriate account (SkypeOut and FringOut).
Here’s what the new apps look like on an HTC EVO 4G Android phone.
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1 / 6Skype profile -
2 / 6Skype online -
3 / 6Skype events -
4 / 6Skype dialer -
5 / 6Skype chat -
6 / 6Fring test call
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I don’t think Skype is limited to Verizon phones. I just downloaded it to my Sprint EVO and was able to log-in to my account over Wi-Fi. So not sure why you say “but is limited in the U.S. to Verizon customers”
Got mangled in editing but fixed now. This Skype cannot make calls over Wi-Fi in the U.S., unfortunately.
did u just loose the comments here and elsewhere? I am almost sure I posted before and that you had here a few replies before.
Nope, no lost comments.
Another fail for Skype other than the lack of video is the inability to move the app tothe SD card. Its a bit big at 13mb
It’s a pretty gimpy program. I wish I could send international text messages with it. I wonder how long it’ll take Skype to do mobile video chat….
I tried Fring several times – always removing it after a few tests. Yesterday included.
Skype on the other hand is simply spitting in its customers’ face. I pay for two yearly subscriptions to Skype and it took them forever to come up with this fail yesterday.
It does not work on my Galaxy S. So its an immediate fail for me. Others say you can’t install on the SD. And how long does it take them to bring video too?!
Yesterday was a wake up call for me … I may need to reconsider my option.