There is no reason why mobile IM and VoIP software should be any different than PC-based versions. Case in point: Today, mobile VoIP startup Fring is adding some new features to its mobile application, including file-swapping. Fring uses your cell phone’s data plan or WiFi connection to make free Internet calls. Like Skype, it charges a small fee to connect to landline and mobile phones that don’t have the Fring client. It also lets you IM and talk to people on Skype, MSN, ICQ, Twitter, Google Talk, Yahoo, AIM and any SIP network (like Gizmo). Fring’s IM now indicates when the person you are chatting with is typing. The big new feature, though, is file swapping. You can send music, videos, or documents from your cell phone to other Fring users or anyone on MSN Messenger through 3G GSM and Edge mobile data networks as well as over WiFi.
The app is available in seven languages (English, German, Italian, Spanish, Russian, French and Chinese), and works on any Nokia series 60, Windows Mobile, or Sony Ericsson smartphone. CEO Avi Schecter says he is adding about 100,000 registered users per month. Fring is based in Israel and raised $12 million last August in a B round from North Bridge Venture Partners, VenFin, Pitango, Veritas, and Yossi Vardi.
“There is no reason why mobile IM and VoIP software should be any different than PC-based versions.”
Actually, there are some significant challenges.
1. The processor speed of mobiles is much slower than their PC counterparts. This translates to worse call quality and echo cancellation.
2. Constant presence pings to the VoIP gateway mean that the phone never goes into standby mode, hence the battery drain will be more significant with a VoIP client on your phone.
I’m curious to see how Fring approached these problems.
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Similar to fring is something called bing.com which is launching across asia as well. though i must admit fring is one of the best mobile apps ive come across!
this fring logo is abolutely top
Still not convinced this idea of mobile phones as a file-swapping platform is a winner.
@2 - You’re getting boring now - posting off-topic comments about Techcrunch on every article.
The main problem I see with VoIP over mobile data networks is cost of traffic. Calls come out golden. WiFi is not nearly as ubiquitous as it claims - and most hotspots nowadays are paid or locked, unlike two years or even a year ago. Yep, traffic is not free…