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Microsoft buys Skype, here are 4 alternatives just in case

Alberto Vildosola — Tue, 10 May 2011 16:00:18 +0000

Completely out of left field, Skype announced this morning that it has been acquired by Microsoft for a cool $8.5 billion in cash. Talk about timing, neither company seems to know about a certain huge developer conference that’s about to start in few minutes.

What does this acquisition mean for all you Skype users? Probably nothing in the near future, but who knows what Microsoft plans to do with Skype a year from now. So, why wait a year to switch from Microsoft Windows Live Video Chat Ultimate, when you can do it right now. Here are 4 good alternatives to Skype:

Tango

If video-chat is what you want and nothing else, Tango is the perfect fit for you. The app is as simple as it gets, with just a list of your Tango-using contacts and the ability to invite more friends. The video quality is very good and the app is quite responsive, even on low-end phones. Bonus: The app works even if your phone doesn’t have a front-facing camera.

fring

On the other side of the spectrum, fring has every single feature you would ever want from a video-calling application. From group video-calling to regular phone calling, fring has it all. If you currently use Skype for calling regular phones, the service has calling rates similar to Skype. The app also uses fring’s video calling DVQ™ technology (Dynamic Video Quality), that changes video quality depending on your connection.

Qik

Qik has been available for some Android phones for quite some time, but just recently the app found its way to the Market for all Android users to download. The service has all the basic features a good video-calling app requires, but Qik adds some unique ones that others lack. Like being able to receive and send video mail when either you or your friend is not available for video-chat. The app also allows you to record video and share the live feed with the world, because deep in your heart you know everybody is dying to see your cat lick itself.

ooVoo

Finally, ooVoo kind of takes something from all the others I mentioned. It’s very simple to use like Tango, but it also has group video-calling like fring. Like Skype, the service also has a desktop client for those times when you’d rather use your computer and not your phone. The Android app has one downside though, is only supported on certain devices. Check the ooVoo Market page to see if your phone is supported.

Bonus: Google Talk

Even though Google Talk with Video Chat in only available for Android phones running version 2.3.4, that also have a front-facing camera (read: just the Nexus S), the app should hit other Android phones over time. By the time you feel like switching away from Skype, your phone might already have Google Talk with Video. The app has one advantage over all the others, you already use it on a daily basis if you’re a Gmail user — which if you like Android means you probably are.

With this many good alternatives to Skype, which one will you go with? Or will you stay with Skype for the time being? Let us know in the comments.

Tango Video Calls Tango PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

fring fringland PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

Qik Video Skype Software SARL PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

ooVoo Video Call ooVoo PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

On your mark, set, video call: Qik and fring fight it out for video call supremacy

Alberto Vildosola — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 18:28:37 +0000

There’s a race going on in the video call world, and both Qik and fring just stepped on the gas. Yesterday, Qik announced that its Android app will now allow everybody to video chat. Until now, this feature was only available for phones that had the app pre-installed like on the HTC EVO 4G. From now on, all Android users will be able to video chat with their Android/iOS-toting friends over WiFi, 3G, and 4G. The app also features:

High resolution video calling (up to VGA)
Receive video mail when you can’t talk live
Send video mail free trial
Share live videos to Facebook, Twitter, and more
Video Feed: See all videos shared by friends
Instant Connect: Automatically see who in your phone’s contact list is available for a live video call

We’re happy to see Qik open the video-call door to all Android users, instead of exclusively launching the feature on a few phones. To get your video-calling on, follow this link.

But not so fast Qik. Earlier today, fring was like “Oh no you didn’t” and went ahead and announced group video-calling for its Android app. You no longer have to show that awesome cloud to just one friend, you can now show it to your friend’s cousin, your brother and your dog all at the same time. According to fring, this is possible thanks to the company’s DVQ™ technology, “that delivers the highest quality video for all four participants.” Ready to video-call three friends and tell them how awesome Android and Me? Follow this link.

fring fringland PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

Qik Video Skype Software SARL PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

Really??? Qik video chat on the Sprint EVO will cost $5 per month

Taylor Wimberly — Fri, 28 May 2010 02:06:08 +0000

So you just picked up your new Sprint EVO 4G with front-facing camera and you are ready to make your first video call. What are your choices when it comes to video chat applications? Users could download the new Fring and start video chatting for free OR they could opt for Qik and start paying $5 per month.

Yup, you read that correct. Mobile video chat with Qik will be a “premium service” with a $4.99 monthly recurring charge (via PayPal). This fee will be in addition to the mandatory $10 Android tax that Sprint is tacking on to all EVO calling plans.

The Qik application is prominently featured on the front of the EVO box and it comes preinstalled, so I’m sure they will get a few sign-ups. However, I wonder how long those customers will keep paying once they learn they can get the same functionality for absolutely nothing.

Employee training materials from Sprint.

Fring is first to bring video calling to Android and Sprint EVO

Taylor Wimberly — Thu, 27 May 2010 01:13:51 +0000

Android phones like the HTC EVO 4G and Samsung Galaxy S now include front facing cameras, but there are not many apps that take advantage of this exciting new feature. Google has yet to add support for dual cameras to the Android SDK and app developers have been working with the carriers to support these new devices.

Sprint chose Qik as their streaming video app to include with the EVO 4G, but the current version loaded on the phone does not support video calling yet. I had been trying to gain access to the latest beta to test this new feature out, but I’ve had no luck so far.

Thankfully Fring has stepped up to the table and updated their popular messaging application to support front facing cameras and video calling. The app just went live so I have not had the chance to test it with other EVO users, but that is on the agenda for my next YouTube video I film.

Fring has yet to update their blog with additional details, so check back later for a full report. We will test video calling over 3G, 4G, and WiFi.

Skype Mobile for Verizon does not make calls over WiFi, but fring does

Taylor Wimberly — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 17:07:05 +0000

As some of you may have noticed, Skype Mobile was released early this morning exclusively for Verizon Wireless customers. Anyone with the big V can download the app from the Android Market right now.

Let’s start with the good. Verizon customers can now make unlimited Skype-to-Skype calls from their Android phone.

What is the catch though? Skype calls are routed over Verizon’s network and Skype Mobile will not even launch if you have WiFi turned on. Users will see a warning message that Skype “does not currently work on WiFi” so it is possible this feature could be supported in a future release.

So what do you do if you want to use Skype on your Android device but don’t have Verizon? Thankfully, there are many alternative Android apps witch allow you to login to Skype AND make calls over a WiFi connection for free.

One of my favorite apps is fring which is available for everyone on the Android Market. Fring allows free calling over WiFi and lets you connect with your AIM, Gtalk, ICQ, MSN, Skype, Twitter, and Yahoo friends. Users can make voice calls or chat and future versions should allow for video communications.

I have a Droid with no Verizon service, so I’m unable to give my full impressions on the Skype app. If you have tried out Skype Mobile, let us know how it performs.

Unlimited voice, text and data for $30 per month?

Brian Stringfellow — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 21:28:05 +0000

When Steve Jobs announced the iPad would be available with 3G connectivity for $30 per month for data only, the question was raised as to whether smartphones, especially Android phones, could also be used without a voice plan.

As it turns out, data-only plans are available on all four top U.S. carriers! Some are cheaper than others, but Sprint and AT&T have $30/mo data-only plans. For those who mainly rely on data connectivity with their smartphone, it can mean big savings while a Voice Over IP (VOIP) app can pick up the slack for making and receiving calls.

By leveraging Google Voice free SMS (text messaging) and Gizmo5′s VOIP technology, Android and Blackberry owners may have a very tempting offer right at their feet. For example, those who are looking for a capable device for their kids, but trying not to break the bank, may now have the perfect solution; a fun device with quality apps, unlimited texting and unlimited inbound/outbound calling.

With AT&T now allowing Skype to operate over 3G, iPhone owners can do the same by purchasing Skypeout minutes for their VOIP apps. Simply purchase a used or unsubsidized smartphone and call the carrier requesting service with data only.

VOIP apps are easy to come by, but finding one that works seamlessly with a single phone number, caller ID in both directions and with acceptable voice quality seems to be more difficult. After AT&T’s recent Skype-over-3G announcement, Verizon matched them to allow select Android and Blackberry devices to do the same. All that’s left is a follow-up announcement from Google regarding a G-VOIP app or Google Voice update to allow free VOIP calls, (trumping Skype’s paid Skypeout service), seamless inbound/outbound calling with caller ID and other advanced features. Surely, this solution will meld the efforts of the recently acquired Gizmo5 with Google Voice.

A brief history of each… in mid-2007, Google acquired GrandCentral, a feature-rich call forwarding service. Features were changed/added and it was re-branded Google Voice (GV). While it is not a true Voice Over IP solution, many assume it is. Calls placed and received using GV use a standard cellular telephone network, but are forwarded to/from Level3′s phone switches where GV’s rich calling features are implemented. GV is a valuable offering and does provide cost savings when coupled with certain cell plans*, but is still dependent upon the carriers voice network and an associated voice plan.

In late 2009, Google acquired Gizmo5, a San Diego-based VOIP startup that was once eyed by Skype. With a Gizmo5 account and a VOIP app such as Sipdroid (for Android), VOIP calls can be made and received outside of the carriers voice network using one’s Google Voice number. While Sipdroid is open sourced and works well, it may be difficult for the average user to configure and unfortunately, Google is not allowing new Gizmo5 signups so we have to wait for integration to occur.

A welcome solution will involve the VOIPizing of Google Voice, allowing users to bypass voice plans altogether if they wish, using a polished and seamless interface. As this transition to usable VOIP occurs, we should see per-minute and unlimited voice plans drop in price. In order to offset this, it would be reasonable to expect more customers will upgrade to smartphones with associated data plans.

* Verizon offers Friends and Family (F&F) plans that essentially allow unlimited outbound calling and inbound as well for those who wish to forgo inbound caller ID. By making the GV access number (916.538.3466) one of your F&F numbers, calls to and from this number will not count against the calling plan. Additionally, T-Mobile customers who still have ‘MyFaves’ can do the same, but these plans have been discontinued.

Fring to bring free video calls to Android?

Taylor Wimberly — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 01:02:02 +0000

Last week Fring launched their free VOIP service for Android and the early reviews were positive. Fring allows users to make free VoIP calls over Skype, MSN, GoogleTalk and via hundreds of SIP providers.

It looks like they have been hard at work because we just received word Fring will now focus on video calls. Free video calls are now supported on Symbian devices and support is coming soon for other smartphone platforms.

No Android phones currently have front facing camera, but that could change in 2010. In a previous post I talked about video calls coming to Android and many of our European readers told us they have had such a service for years. It has yet to catch on in the United States, but maybe Fring and some news phones will change that.

Are video calls something you would like to see on Android phones?

Right on the heels of last week’s release of fring’s world’s 1^st full VoIP calls on Android devices, fring is setting today yet another precedent- we are releasing the world’s 1^st Skype and fring video calls over mobile.

Now for the first time ever fring users can make and receive internet video calls from mobile devices (for free), picking up their fring and Skype video calls from the road, and seeing the person they’re talking to from their mobile phone.

fring video is currently supported on Nokia touch (such as X6, N97mini,N97, 5800), N95, N95 8G and N82 devices. Coming soon on other popular platforms).

Fring brings free voice calls to Android

Taylor Wimberly — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:47:45 +0000

Why ring when you can Fring for free? After months of testing, Fring for Android has finally been released to the public. The application allows you to make free VoIP calls over Skype, MSN and GoogleTalk and via hundreds of SIP providers. Fring on Android works over 3G, GPRS or Wi-Fi internet connection.

I installed the application, but I have been unable to spend a lot of time with it yet. Early reviews of the service are positive for the most part. The app is free and you have nothing to lose (except time) so check it out and let us know what you think.

Download Fring from the Android Market:

Start the Market application on your phone
Search for “fring” and install

Download Fring from their WAP site:

On your Android phone, go to Settings > Applications and check the box to allow ’unknown sources’
Point your phone browser to fring.com and download Fring manually

Full press release from Fring.

London, 18 November 2009. fring™, the multi-award winning mobile application that lets users communicate and share web-based experiences from their mobile devices, today announces the world’s first full voice over internet support on all Android devices.

From today Android users join millions of fringsters worldwide with free calls, live chat, contact availability status, file sharing and more with friends on fring and several popular social services including Skype, MSN, GoogleTalk, ICQ, Twitter, Yahoo! and AIM*. Centralized from one integrated contact list, fringsters also make calls to regular phone lines via Skype-Out and hundreds of popular SIP services over 3G, GPRS or Wi-Fi internet connection.

Avi Shechter, Co-Founder & CEO of fring said, “fring is glad to bring Android users the first free voice calls over fring, Skype, GoogleTalk and SIP, realizing the real potential of their new open, internet-enabled devices.” Shechter continued, “Now Android users can join the millions of fringsters on thousands of fring-supported mobile devices who enjoy the rich features and cost benefits that mobile communication over internet can provide: communicating and sharing social Internet experiences over Wi-Fi or data plan with their friends wherever they are, on the web or on their phones.”

In addition to Android, fring is supported worldwide on thousands of Symbian S60, iPhone, iPod touch, Windows Mobile, J2ME and Linux devices.

The brand-new Android version can be downloaded via fring’s WAP site at m.fring.com or directly via the Android Market.