Tag Archives: skype

Skype Release Updated iPhone 4 App with Bittersweet Features

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With FaceTime and Fring already using iPhone 4’s front camera for video calls, it was expected of Skye to introduce video calls in their upcoming updated iPhone app. But whoever was expecting it will surely be disappointed by the update which is now here.

Skype has release their new iPhone app and there some bittersweet news about it:-

Bitter: The app does not support video calls in the iPhone 4.

Sweet: The app supports multitasking.

The official release notes regarding multitasking read:

“Run Skype in the background with multitasking in iOS4. Receive Skype calls and IM while other apps are running or when your iPhone is locked. You can also continue your call while you switch to another application.”

This is a great new introduction. Although it will definitely reduce the battery life, many users will not find this troublesome as they rarely use apps while making calls. But in case the need arises, it is good that the app supports the multitasking functionality.

Fring Blocked Skype and Now Skype Blocks Fring

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Fring’s updated iPhone app let iPhone 4 owners make the most out of video calling. While the iPhone 4 native FaceTime only allowed video calls from one iPhone 4 to another, Fring’s iPhone app let iPhone 4 owners hold video chats with people using Fring on Nokia or Android smartphones as well as on desktop computers. Video chatting from iPhone 4 to desktop computers was made possible by Fring’s support of Skype. People could use their Skype contacts on Fring and hold instant messaging and video conversations with them.

Because of the overenthusiastic response received by Fring, the app creators had to temporarily suspend support for Skype till they could cope with the load. After they took the necessary measures to handle the Skype load, Fring reports that Skype asked them to discontinue support for Skype on their app.

This did not please Fring. According to Fring:

“Now that fring expanded capacity to support the huge demand for video calling for all users, Skype has blocked us from doing so.

They are afraid of open mobile communication. Cowards.

Needless to say, we are very disappointed that Skype, who once championed the cause of openness is now trying to muzzle competition, even at the expense of its own users.

We’re sorry for the inconvenience Skype has caused you.”

But Skype tells a different story. Skype has been in talks with Fring for quite some time now, trying to figure out whether Fring complies with Skype’s terms of use. They say the decision to block Skype was completely Fring’s and that Skype has not blocked Fring from anything.

At this point it is not possible to tell which version of the story is true. All Fring users want right now is for Skype support to be enabled as soon as possible.

Fring Temporarily Suspends Support for Skype

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With their iPhone app’s new update, Fring allows iPhone 4 users to conduct 2-way video conferences. Unlike Apple’s own FaceTime, Fring is not restricted to iPhone 4 to iPhone 4 video calls; instead, you can use Fring across any supported iPhone 4 and Android or Nokia smartphones. Another Fring feature that trumps iPhone 4’s native FaceTime is support for the user’s Skype contacts. In other words, while you use Fring’s app you could also add your Skype contacts and hold video calls and instant messaging conversations with them.

Since this update got released many enthusiastic iPhone owners started using Fring. While Fring was able to handle the Fring-only load, the Skype load became a little too heavy to handle. Many people were using their Skype accounts via Fring. Resultantly Fring has temporarily suspended Skype support in their app. Skype contacts are no longer visible in Fring and the small square login box for Skype found on the Add-Ons menu is no longer there.

Fring has yet to reveal when they will resume Skype support.