Fring, the makers of the self-titled, cross-platform, mobile voice and video chat client, are beginning to dabble in group video chat. In a recent YouTube video, the company showcased its latest software build — currently in beta — running a group video chat session on iOS. The feature will allow up to four users to simultaneously connect, face-to-face in a Brady Bunch-like mosaic as seen above. The beta is currently accepting applicants, so if you think you’re worthy — or just love playing with new software — hit the jump, watch the video, and follow the read link to apply.

[Via AppScout]

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VoIP company fring has launched a new service dubbed fringOut. As the company’s press release explains, fringOut “enables users to make almost-free international calls to any regular landline or mobile phone throughout hundreds of worldwide destinations, with rates as low as 1¢ a minute.” The company also notes that “fringOut is easy to use and fully-integrated into the familiar fring mobile experience.” If you are interested in seeing how fringOut rates compare to those of Skype or Google Voice, you can view the company’s rate chart here. Currently, the mobile iteration of fringOut is only available for Nokia S60 devices; fring states that the service “will soon be available on iPhone and Android devices.”

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There isn’t really much else to say about this one. Skype has threatened multi-platform mobile chat-client maker Fring with legal action unless the company drops support for the Skype chat protocol. In a press release, Fing wrote, “Skype’s anti-competitive ambush comes in the wake of fring’s mobile video calling on iPhone 4 launch, which continues to set the standard in rich mobile internet communication.” Fring had included Skype support in its client for the past four years. Fring’s press release went onto read, “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’ve got the full release for you after the break.

Following fring’s string of mobile video calling wins – Skype blocks fring

Skype – former crusader for open communications – bans competition after fring trail-blazes mobile communication innovation

London, United Kingdom, 12 July 2010. fring, the multi-award winning mobile over internet communication service, today announces that it is being forced to stop its 4 years of Skype interconnectivity following threat of legal action. Skype’s anti-competitive ambush comes in the wake of fring’s mobile video calling on iPhone 4 launch, which continues to set the standard in rich mobile internet communication.

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, but can invite their Skype friends to join fring and enjoy unrestricted mobile video calling from any mobile phone, chat and voice services without restriction to a user’s mobile operator and the freedom to choose internet connectivity (3G/4G/WiFi).

“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” said Avi Shechter, fring’s Co-Founder and CEO “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.” Avi continued, “We believe in communication openness and know that users will continue to vote with their mobile phones – opting for fring’s innovation, clarity, honesty and openness”.

fring’s newest version is now available for download from fring’s website here and from appstores.

Let freedom fring!

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Fringers, start your updating. The Israeli mobile comms company has just announced the release of a new version of its popular application that brings Last.fm streaming and friend-monitoring to the fring app. Users can now enjoy custom streaming radio stations while chatting with friends without ever having to leave the fring application. All of your favorite types of Last.fm stations are available and Love/Ban functions are supported as well. Sweet! For the time being, Last.fm via fring is not available on the platform that needs it most – the iPhone – but hopefully we’ll see an update soon. Since S60 allows third-party applications to be minimized, Mobbler can easily be used to stream Last.fm while a user is chatting in fring. With the iPhone on the other hand, where the Last.fm app cannot be sent to the background while the user is fringing (yes, we know Backgrounder can remedy this on jailbroken iPhones), the addition of of Last.fm streaming would certainly be welcome. Hit the jump for a very peculiar video that sums up the latest version of fring nicely.

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Open up your iTunes and get this app now! Fring is a pre-release app free on iTunes which allows you to contact your friends on AIM, MSN, Yahoo, Twitter, Skype, and more. VoIP is available over WiFi and the availability of your friends are displayed in real time. The only thing is, and this is hardly a downside, they would like for you to offer your feedback, hence the pre-release offer and test. We just had some friends call and while you can tell you’re on VoIP, the call quality is amazing! It’s pretty much just as good as the Fring call quality is on any other platform. Though a little “tinny,” we had no problems whatsoever understanding each other – even outdoors where the traffic noise was substantial. Also, logging onto the instant messaging clients was a breeze and they work perfectly. You don’t need Skype in order to make VoIP calls either if your friends also have Fring. All you have to do is exchange your Fring usernames and call them through GoogleTalk or any of the other messaging clients that don’t say “Chat Only”! The one thing you may want to take note of is that Apple has been just weird lately with what apps they decide to pull from the app store, so you might want to jump on this one while you can.

Thanks, Steph and Gil!

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