Late last week, Fring released a new version of their iPhone application that brought two-way video calling to iPhone 4.
The new Fring app generated a lot of buzz as it allowed users to make make video calls over 3G unlike FaceTime, which works only over Wi-Fi.
And since Fring had introduced the two-way video calling feature on the Android and Symbian platforms as well, which means that users can also video-chat with friends who do not own an iPhone 4, which is also one of the limitations of FaceTime currently.
However, some of our readers had pointed out that Skype support had suddenly disappeared from the latest version of Fring's iPhone app. The company had acknowledged the issue in a blog post where they had noted that their networks were experiencing a strain due to the huge jump in video calling. Fring further noted that they had disabled Skype as a temporary measure to free up network capacity.
However, it now appears that Fring users looking forward to calling their contacts on Skype may have to wait longer. In a recently published media release, the company has accused Skype of "anti-competitive ambush" and has stated that the popular mobile VoIP company has refused to restore connectivity with Fring and have threatened legal action. Fring has issued the following statement:
"Since its foundation in 2006, fring’s rich mobile communications have been available to both fring users and open 3rd party networks including GoogleTalk, SIP, Twitter and, until now, Skype. However, despite fring expanding its network capacity over the last days to serve its enlarged user base, Skype is refusing to allow fring to restore connectivity to Skype. Accordingly, fringsters will no longer be able to communicate with their Skype friends the way they want."
Fring CEO Avi Shechter has indicated that connectivity with Skype shall be restored once the company has resolved its differences with Skype. He says:
“We are disappointed that Skype, who once championed the cause of openness, is now attempting to muzzle competition, even to the detriment of its own users. We apologize to our users for the impact of Skype’s bullying and we will be happy to reconnect with Skype once Skype reverses their decision.”
However, Skype has refuted these allegations. The company has stated that Fring's claims are untrue and that Skype has been in talks with Fring for quite sometime over the latter's compliance with the Skype Terms of Use and EULA. According to Robert Miller, the VP, Legal at Skype, Fring's sudden decision to withdraw support to Skype last week had damaged his company's brand and reputation. Muller responded to the controversy on Skype's blog:
"Fring was using Skype software in a way it wasn’t designed to be used – and in a way which is in breach of Skype’s API Terms of Use and End User License Agreement. We’ve been talking with Fring for some time to try to resolve this amicably.
However, over time, Fring’s mis-use of our software was increasingly damaging our brand and reputation with our customers. On Friday, for example, Fring withdrew support for video calls over Skype on iOS 4 without warning, again damaging our brand and disappointing our customers, who have high expectations of the Skype experience.
[...]In this case, however, there is no truth to Fring’s claims that Skype has blocked it. Fring made the decision to remove Skype functionality on its own."
Fring is yet to respond to these claims. We shall keep you updated on this front.
Dont use Fring. it's an Israeli company, you cannot trust them.
See this Article about Fring on mathaba.net
http://www.mathaba.net/news/?x=623034
They have control over all your data, they can use it for spy intelligence.
Fring not only has no encryption on your handset, but the data, including passwords, chats, conversations, files, contacts etc. all passes through the Fring company servers, and can easily be monitored by Fring, partners or anyone authorised to do so by Fring.
Think twice before installing FRING on your mobile phone
Why there are so many claims surounding Iphone
Skype is too expensive, fucking too expensive. I use Rynga is very cheap. Go to rynga.com and find out yourself then u will know that skype are robbers.
For free voip calls (to many countries) I've used http://www.voipdiscount.com for years. When fring appeared I was happy being able to use the voipdiscount account via the SIP configuration in fring.
I never thought of the fact fring running unencrypted but as it is still all free to use I wonder who is paying and why… Now I hope Skype will better their app to allow vid calling etc.
I still consider Skype generally having the best call quality but as I work abroad a lot it has been great to call for free to family and friends with voipdiscount which is free to many countries as long as you top up acct every fourth month. Otherwise 0.01€ to all these "free" call countries.
use ooVoo instead of skype
GO AWAY YOU ANTI-SAMITIC FUCKHEAD
YOU CAN ACCUSE A COMPANY OF NO BEING SECURE AND FRAUDULENT BUT DON'T JUST BASE IT ON WHERE THE COMPANY IS LOCATED
EXACTLY SOMEONE WITH A BRAIN
BTW has anyone notice, Geo Hots blog is no longer public???… his latest tweets really upset me.
iPhone 4 UNLOCKED!! and JB http://twitpic.com/24yhf7
Fuck geohot… welcome planetbeing and musclenerd and comex!
If skype doesn't want fring to "damage" their brand, then why dont they step up and release their own video calling iPhone app for the iphone 4……..
Well u can't read them
now and be hurt so quit your whining.
I just deleted Skype and fring, they are silly little bitches so don't wanna be involved in their spat!
I'm Israeli,
thanks for the support.
Fortunately, I don't use Skype and fring.
Wow,
Now that I know it's an Israeli company NO WAY im installing fring on my computer/mobile.
Who wants to have an spy software on your mobile?
thanks for the tip!
You should always know who your getting your info from
mathaba.net is a Muslim owned website
a simple search shows what they deal with
#1 most popular search on there website
KADAFI
#7 islam web
#8 islamic websites
these 2 searches are the same so combined they raise the rank to #3
#9 nazi sites
If you peruse there site the information they provide is clearly one sided and inflammatory. especially to Israel and pro democracies.