For 4 years we have led mobile communication innovation, most recently with video calling on any advanced Smartphone and network.

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.

As always, fring will continue to provide our users with the best mobile internet communication experiences that you deserve, with or without Skype.

The new fring version with free video calls, calls, live chat is available on any advanced smartphone, over any mobile operator, over your preferred internet connection (3G, 4G, WiFi) from the fring website here and app stores.

Let freedom fring!

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WOW! uptake of the newly launched fring 2-way video calling on the iPhone 4 is simply amazing.

Yes, the uptake was so huge that a few technical headaches popped into the system, but have no fear, our technicians are working around the clock to get everything back on track.

In the meantime why not take some time to enter the exciting fring football contest.  We are giving away 3 x Nokia N97mini handsets which also feature 2-way video calls.  Below are a few of the entries received todate.

While you wait for our technicians to get everything working again.  Click here, follow the easy instructions and who knows maybe you could walk away with an ever sexy Nokia N97mini.

Time is very limited on this promotion so enter today to avoid disappointment.

Until next time

The fringTEAM

PS. Remember that you can also win by blogging or Tweeting about this contest. So if you are camera shy, why not enter in one of the other ways.  Tag your tweets with #fringFootballContest and who knows maybe you are our next winner.

RT @fring Win a #Nokia #N97mini in the #fringFootballContest http://tinyurl.com/2uc5z27

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Wow. What can we say… this is great !

Since adding 2-way video calling on iPhone 4 yesterday we have seen another huge jump in fring video calling.

As even more fringsters video call their friends on Android, Nokia and iPhones, we have seen some network ’stress’ (as the techies are telling me). So to free up capacity for more the fring-to-fring video calling, we are temporarily reducing support to 3rd –party Skype. Thanks for your patience.

fringsters, enjoy your video calling, and SEE you later

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With the new fring for iPhone you get lots of fring goodies including 2 way video-calling where you want and with whom you want!

• Face-to-face video calls with friends on their Droids, Nokia (Symbian S60) and other iPhones
• Video calls over 3G or Wi-Fi (Performance over 3G is subject to mobile operators’ 3G coverage & quality)

Use that fancy new front-facing camera for video calls from the beach or from the mountain top (on 3G or Wifi) to your friends on whatever mobile phone they have. So even if they don’t have an iPhone 4 yet, you can see their pretty faces.

So go ahead and video call Elizabeth on her Evo, Ivan on his iPhone, see Ned on his Nokia or Debra on her Droid.

Also, the latest fring for iOS4 on iPhone 3GS & 4 includes loads of improved features including:

• Multitasking so you can be always on and available with fring running in the background and alerting you to new video calls, voice calls or chat without proactively opening fring (just like on all other supported phones).

• New Social Stream: A chronological stream of all tweets, facebook updates, chats and calls, all in one place! Easy cross-community communication and simple sorting capabilities.

• A Smarter address book: simply manages your buddy list, merges contacts and more

Have fun and as always, feedback much appreciated!

The fringTEAM

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Check out JP Mangalindan article “The new kings of Apps” where he reviews the movers and shakers for mobile Apps. JP spotlights fring and highlights fring’s video calling – letting fringsters video call their friends across mobile platforms and giving them the ability to switch between 3G and WiFi. Thanks JP.

So, if you haven’t seen your friends or family lately, than make sure to get fring now and give them a free fring video call today!

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fringsters listen up

This is your opportunity to shine and show us just how much you love football, your mobile phone and fring. In exchange we will give 3 fringsters shiny new Nokia N97 mini handsets courtesy of our freinds over at Nokia and Ovi Store. *

To this affect we have just lauched the fring football contest on our facebook.  We now invite you to upload your fring-a-fied football pictures to our wall and get your friends to “like” them.  The picture with the most “likes” wins.

We have made it easier for those who are not at the soccer to enter using cut and paste graphics as per the sample below.  However we encourage those of you lucky enough to be at the football to us your imagination, creativity and send us some way cool fring-a-fied football images.

As they say in the movies, may the best fring-a-fied picture win

1. Download this image

2. Using some nifty computer software paste the hardhat above over your other image.  As per the sample below. If you havn’t got such software get your friends to help you.

3. Upload your fring-a-fied picture to this facebook wall.

4. Get your friends, family and co-workers to upload their own pics and “like” your pictures.

5. To get extra coverage and more brownie points link to them from your facebook, twitter and other social spaces.

6. Thats it.  Now sit back and watch as the “likes” roll in and you may just be the next winner.

To see what others are uploading click here.  We look forward to seeing all your fring-a-fied images soon.

*Terms

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As we get closer to the quarter finals of the Fifa World Cup Soccer and things start to heat up here in South Africa, We thought it good to remind everyone that fring is the only low cost mobile way to send home some exclusive soccer video action to friends and family.

So if you are in South Africa for the 2010 World Cup Soccer, why not share the love by live streaming your soccer experiance to those back home who are not as lucky to be at the game.

Millions of fringsters world wide are now daily video streaming to friends and family, in fact this is one of our most popular features.  So if you have not yet tried fringVIDEO give it a try today.

What are you waiting for live stream your South African soccer experiance to a friends of family today!

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To all you fringsters who participated in our main blog poll, we love the great response to Android video calls.
From the poll results, we’ve found out that:
- 54% of you are video calling your lover/partner
- 22% your kids/grand-kids.
- Only 7% told us that you are video calling your turtle

Now, with this latest release, we have worked on your feedback to include quality improvements and support for more Android devices including the Dell Streak, Sony Ericsson X10 and more.

You’ll also notice the ads that enable us to keep all the video calls free.

So try video calling with the latest fring for Android here now !

The fringTEAM

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Tata Sky satellite TV service has now launched Tata Sky High Definition (HD) service. It isn’t the first satellite HD in India; Sun TV and Reliance BIG TV are two services already available in HD resolution. Tata Sky HD will support 1080i picture quality, 16:9 aspect ratio and 5.1 surround sound. The Tata Sky HD bundle will start with two HD content showing channels – National Geographic HD and Discovery HD. Later on, Tata Sky will be add to their HD serving with Star Plus HD, Star Movies HD and popular sports channels in HD.  

To obtain Tata Sky HD one would require the new Tata Sky HD Set Top Box; this will cost Rs. 2,599 (including installation & 2 month HD Pack subscription). Those with a previous Tata Sky connection can avail one year HD Pack subscription. Tata Sky HD set top boxes will start circulation in Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai before spreading out to other cities.

Get more information about Tata Sky HD here.

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fringsters listen up! Nokia today unveiled a unique new product for emerging markets.  The bicycle cellphone charger which will offer “free and environmentally friendly electricity” to mobile device users, is a much needed addition to the Nokia line of products.

The low cost device which will retail for around Rs. 1050.00 gets power via a dynamo which uses the motion of the bicycle wheel to generate electricity. The device is aimed at developing markets and countries where people have limited access to basic utilities.

“The package, which will be released towards the end of this year, will include a handlebar mount, dynamo and  a 2 mm charger jack.” There is currently no confirmation on where or when it will be available locally but be assured we will keep you posted.

This truly is a great new device from Nokia and we beleive it will improve the lives of millions around the world.

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