fring is one of the latest portals to take online services mobile. Simply put, it’s a mobile internet service and community, started by computer software mastermind, Avi Shechter.
The nice thing about fring is that it brings everything together for you. Users can access and interact with their social networks on-the-go, make free calls, and live chat with all their fring, Skype, MSN Messenger, Google Talk, ICQ, SIP, Twitter, Yahoo! and AIM friends. It’s cheap too as fring uses your cell’s internet connection, rather than those precious (read: costly) mobile airtime minutes.
If the above definition confused you, let me simplify… fring clumps all your contacts from social networks (Facebook and the like) other into one searchable buddy list, and all your online applications form a single ever-expanding catalogue of services. fring lets you see who’s online before dialing so you know whose available, engages in multiple conversations simultaneously via fring chat, and allows users to send and receive files between fring and other chat programmes with the file transfer capabilities.
fring also saves you money by letting you make affordable local and international calls to landline and regular cellular numbers using your Skype account, or almost any internet voice service (SIP) – even from non-SIP enabled handsets.
fring recently added add-ons (funny as that sounds). These new applications include a mobile version of social networks, video streaming and email notification. There’s also an online search and find function (the FringME! widget) for parents’ peace of mind.
As if that’s not enough, fring automatically logs you into your favourite WiFi spots, and is as easy to download as a ringtone.
fring is PC-independent, and does not require any ‘dedicated hardware’. All you need is a supported handset (most ‘latest generation’ phones are compatible, but check on the fring site if you’re not sure) with internet connectivity (think WAP), and an internet data package or WiFi access.
Adding to the accolades, fring won the Handset Application Award at the Meffys (Mobile Entertainment Awards) 2008 held in Cannes, France in May.
If fring doesn’t do it for you, try barablu.
Filed under: online | Tagged: add ons, Avi Shechter, barablu, download, facebook, fring, internet voice service, Meffy Awards, PC independent, Skype, social networks, Twitter, widget
I found this blog on a google search and boy am I glad I did. I thought I heard someone mention it in a free chat room.
Awesome read!