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Hands on with Fring, the all-in-one VoIP and IM app for Android
Today... my Android phone arrived! Yes, I finally bit the bullet and bought one. I had hoped that someone would send me a review sample of a sexy HTC or something, but alas... cheap bastards... Anyway! This means you'll now be treated to reviews of Android apps. Most of them will be free and available from the Android Marketplace, but I will also occasionally turn my attention to the slightly seedier selection of under-the-counter apps.
I actually wanted to review Skype first -- to make the most of my unlimited data package -- but as you may already know, it's not available for Android yet. Instead, I turned to Fring, a free app that communicates with just about every messaging network out there. MSN, Google Talk, Yahoo, ICQ, AIM, Twitter... and Skype!
Yes, you can make and receive Skype video calls with Fring. Also, don't despair if you don't have an Android phone -- you can install Fring on just about every breed of smartphone, including the iPhone.
First up: Fring works! It's messy, but it works! I could chat to my friends on both MSN and AIM, and sure, I could make both audio and video calls to Skype and Google Talk contacts ... but ... it feels so damn clunky. It's hard to use, counterintuitive -- and it even crashed occasionally. My main problem was actually with the combined contact list that Fring forces you to use: all of your contacts -- from any and all services you link to your Fring account -- are dumped into one huuuuuuge list. It also has issues with updating that huge list. I added a contact on my desktop install of Skype, but it refused to appear on my phone.
Other than the big contact list, and the disconnects, Fring has interface issues. I just couldn't get the hang of navigating around the app. Maybe it's the UI, or maybe it's just because I'm new to the Android platform and/or a window-licker. Time will tell, I guess. Personally I would have preferred separate contact lists for each service -- or at least the option of organizing the list in different ways.
But, despite all of its apparent pitfalls, Fring is by no means a bad app. If you're a social networking guru, or simply someone with a lot of friends, you'll love Fring. I mean, I can't really complain: it's free and it works. It's also in constant, rapid development and I have no doubt that all of my niggles will be fixed as soon as possible. There are just so many little things that I'd like to improve...
If you're not convinced yet, or you just want to find out more, here's an introductory video from Fring. Alternatively, check out their site for a full list of Fring's features. Remember, the easiest way to install it is to search for 'Fring' on the Android Marketplace on your phone!
Comments
19
Subscribe to commentsYoavJun 11th 2010 8:39AM
Yay! Android rules! I just bought my first Evo, I read DownloadSquad every day and now I have another reason!
216Jun 11th 2010 8:40AM
Welcome to Android Army! Droid does!
JaymoonJun 11th 2010 8:40AM
Regarding video quality, it must be your phone. I've used Fring now a couple times on my Evo, and even over 3G the video is very solid, sending and receiving. There's the occasional "freeze" for up to seconds every couple of minutes, but the audio is continuous without any problem.
Over Wi-Fi, I've had no issues whatsoever.
JaymoonJun 11th 2010 8:41AM
* up to two seconds is what I meant.
SilverWaveJun 11th 2010 8:44AM
I am waiting for delivery of a HTC Desire ... today sometime :-)
Being very, very, sad I signed up for the phone and did all my running
around yesterday so that I can stay in, to ensure I don't miss the delivery :-)
I know, I know, sad, sad, sad. ;-) LOL
SilverWaveJun 11th 2010 9:30AM
Just been delivered - :-D
Sebastian AnthonyJun 11th 2010 10:59AM
Hooray!
You've got a much nicer phone than me -- I've got a cheap and cheerful LG GT540.
I can't even upgrade it to Android 2.2 yet... but hopefully the hackers will work it out soon!
Drew GreenJun 11th 2010 9:15AM
Seb, glad you got an Android phone. Just got my Droid 2.5 weeks ago and am loving it, albeit there were some features lacking that my BlackBerry had (mainly enterprise functionality), but the bulk of it was restored with the RC Froyo update that was leaked. Looking forward to many more Android articles!
Drew GreenJun 11th 2010 9:19AM
Also, FYI to all the pirates out there, if you install the Android SDK on your machine and use adb.exe, you can purchase an app from the Android marketplace, run the command "adb.exe pull /data/app/(your app's file name here).apk" and it will copy the package to your machine.
With all Android market apps you have 24 hours to request a refund. If you request your refund, once the app is uninstalled from your device, you can then copy the app back to your phone (since you had just saved it on your PC). Of course, you don't get updates to the app, and you can only request a refund once per app, but still, a neat little trick (or steal, I should say).
Sebastian AnthonyJun 11th 2010 9:31AM
That's rather sneaky... and cool...
Alvin NgJun 11th 2010 9:27AM
Yeah, Android based phone is still the best! You may wanna try Nimbuzz for some reason, light weight plus support skype calls for free (only between skype users). Great! Keep it up! Need more Android apps review
DarmsJun 11th 2010 9:28AM
Welcome to the world of Android! You may wanna try out Nimbuzz as well. Been using Nimbuzz till now and I have no problem. Light weight memory, all features are supported, included Facebook.
Android will still be the best. Android will be the "next-big-thing"
Sebastian AnthonyJun 11th 2010 9:31AM
It was Fring or Nimbuzz, actually, but went with Fring in the end! I'll check out Nimbuzz soon though :)
8complexJun 11th 2010 9:54AM
Fring + Google Voice + Gizmo5 + Google Voice Callback = free, easy calling over wifi from anywhere in the world to anywhere in the US with unlimited minutes.
Gizmo5 would allow 3 minute outgoing calls or unlimited incoming calls anywhere in the US for free. This setup works by getting Google Voice to call out to my Gizmo5 account (which is set up in Fring) and also the Google Voice account calling out to the number I want to dial. Google Voice Callback just allows me the option after hitting send to either use the cellular network or Google Voice to call my number.
critter42cJun 11th 2010 10:57AM
You may want to clarify the article - Skype is not available for *non-Verizon* Android phones.
WilliamJun 11th 2010 11:20AM
"Despite that, one cool thing stands out: you can make VoIP calls using Fring, via Skype. Just key in any phone number!"
Is there any cost associated with that? Skype charges if you want to call a landline or a cellphone, does fring do that as well? If so, what are the rates? I couldn't find a list of rates on their website. If they don't charge, how can they afford to make it free?
Sebastian AnthonyJun 11th 2010 11:27AM
Yep, it costs, AFAIK. I have some free Skype credit, which is why it let me do it, I think.
http://www.skype.com/intl/en-gb/features/prices/
AaronJun 11th 2010 8:53PM
Fring pissed me off enough to uninstall it. No Fring, I don't want you to start up without my consent every time I turn on my phone. Nor do I like your interface.
eBuddy have a nice IM client, but I use Nimbuzz. By far the most likeable for me. I'd go into reasons, but it's 2AM and I'm getting back into bed..
TCJun 14th 2010 3:51PM
Why in the world would you give up all of your logins and passwords to whomever is behind Fring? This data ALL ends up on Fring's servers! Is this what you want? No way I'd ever do that!