The mobile-messaging value chain is changing as OTT players upend mobile operators’ SMS business. There will be 27.7 trillion messages by 2016, and most of the growth in traffic will come from IP-based services. Successful carriers will use this new technology to extend reliability and scalability. Read more at GigaOM Pro »
The growing number of handsets that have front-facing cameras may mean that another common device becomes less necessary — the mirror that many women carry around in their purses. After all, why pull out a compact when your smartphone can show you exactly what you look like. Read more »
As our demand for data increases, so too do the number of mobile devices and services. Add to that the infrastructure needed to support such connectivity, and a wide, complex picture of the mobile industry emerges. This report examines the various sectors of the mobile landscape and what the future holds for each. Hardware, cloud services, mobile search, advertising, location-based services and the growing ubiquity of the Internet of Things will all play an important role in the concept of mobility as it shifts and evolves over the next several years. With the help of more than a dozen contributors, GigaOM Pro presents a comprehensive analysis of the companies and trends that will lead us into the next era of mobile. Read more at GigaOM Pro »
One of the better features of Google+ is Hangouts, in my opinion. Now VoIP and video chat service Fring is hoping users want to take that kind of experience one step further with Playgrounds, which allows you to chat with strangers about shared interests. Read more »
Last weekend I had on of my eureka moments around mobile video chat. It’s gonna be big, perhaps as big as 29.6 billion video calls made in 2015. So to all the naysayers who think video chat is just plain weird, hear me out. Read more »
What apps do mobile workers need to get their jobs done? A new Forrester report has identified eight “must have” categories of mobile collaboration apps. Here’s a run-down of all the categories outlined, together with some of our recommendations for apps to use in each category: Read more »
A picture is worth a thousand words, and a video will save you even more typing. There are lots of video chat options out there now for both Mac and iOS, and the competition is fierce. Which is your go-to client on either platform, and why? Read more »
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 iOS app was updated today to provide iPad-optimized four-way group video calling, before Skype is even out of the gate. Read more »
Fring released an update Thursday for its iPhone app that brings group video chat over Wi-Fi and 3G to the service. Android users can also get in on the action, using Wi-Fi, 3G or 4G and both platforms can talk to each other. Read more »
Mobile video chat was all the rage last year. But the new battleground is now becoming group video chat. Oovoo kicked off the competition late last year and now Fring is keeping pace with a group video calls, a new feature now launching in limited beta. Read more »
The growth of Android in the smartphone space has been phenomenal, but recent ad statistics show it may be leveling off. VoIP calling is hot on Android, however, with fring posting solid performance. LogMeIn Ignition is coming to the tablet, and we have an advance look. Read more »
First, Skype and Nimbuzz reported how well they are doing. Then there was the spectacular launch of Viber. And now fring is telling us that they are seeing their quarterly revenues grow at a rapid clip. Mobile VoIP is finally seeing its day under the sun. Read more »
Skype is making it clear that it doesn’t want third-party clients using its services. First, Fring for iPhone lost Skype support (though there was debate regarding who was in the wrong), and today, another popular multi-service IM and calling client, Nimbuzz, had its Skype privileges revoked. Read more »
VoIP calling fans are having a good day with the release of both Skype and FringOut for Android. Skype is available for Android 2.1+, and non-U.S. customers are not restricted to 3G calling. FringOut allows users to make cheap calls to any phone. Read more »
fring, today launched a preview version of its upcoming fringOut service that will allow you to call anywhere in the world for 1-cent a minute to anyplace on the planet. For now it works only on Nokia phones, but support for other platforms is coming. Read more »
Fring says today that it offers video-calling functionality while Skype is blocking Fring’s service. But Skype refutes this statement, saying that Fring chose to shut down the Skype integration. Why can’t we just get these two voice-over-IP companies to talk on the phone? Read more »
Fring has updated its VoIP client, bringing support for the front-facing camera on Apple’s iPhone 4 with 3G video calls to other iPhones, Android and Symbian S60 devices. But there’s a reason that FaceTime, Apple’s competing product, is Wi-Fi only for now. 3G networks aren’t ready. Read more »
The FCC today kicked off what it’s calling “Wireless World Travel Week,” complete with include a daily informational video, blog posts explaining service strategies while abroad and a useful communications tip sheet for travelers. Topics range from overseas calling options to less expensive VoIP services. Read more »
The HTC EVO 4G has two video chat options to take advantage of the second camera on the front of the phone. Laptop Magazine and I were wondering how well each client works, and we set out to do a comparison of Fring and Qik. Read more »
Many gadgets come through Mobile Tech Manor for review; it’s a big part of my week. I now own the HTC EVO 4G that was released a week ago, and this week has been once of exploration and adopting it into my routine. Read more »
Motorola’s CEO reaffirmed the company’s commitment to the Android platform this week and promised to quickly bring version 2.2 to all of its phones. Meanwhile, Fring released an Android version of its app with video chat — just in time for next week’s EVO 4G launch. Read more »
Sprint EVO 4G buyers may want to grab Fring in the Android Market when you get your phone. That front-facing camera is tailor-made for video chatting, and Fring is already out to take advantage of it. Fring brings full chat functionality to many phones currently. Read more »
While the world was watching Apple CEO Steve Jobs unveil the iPad, voice over IP programs that use AT&T’s 3G network were finally being released for the iPhone. So far iCall and fring have 3G VoIP apps while Skype and Nimbuzz do not. Read more »
As our sister site GigaOM reports, video calling has indeed arrived on the iPhone. It’s just a little one-way, is all. A new version of Fring supports video calls made using both its own and the Skype network, but you’re only able to receive video, not […] Read more »
NCR Rolling Out Blockbuster Kiosks in NY; 200 DVD-rental machines heading to the Big Apple in a bid to take on Redbox. (The Wall Street Journal) VidQue Aids in Video Discovery; uses social filters to find the best videos across a variety of categories. (TechCrunch) Video […] Read more »
