Fring on Thursday released an updated version of its mobile app that will allow for two-way video calling over 3G and Wi-Fi on iPhone, Android, or Symbian devices, including Apple's latest iPhone 4.
The app also now supports multi-tasking, includes a social stream of Facebook, Twitter, and IM sessions, and has a smarter address books that merges buddy and contact lists.
A major addition to the iPhone 4 is the FaceTime video-calling app. For now, however, it only works between two iPhone 4 users and only over Wi-Fi. Now, iPhone 4 users who download the free Fring app will be able to activate video calling with non-iPhone 4 users on a 3G network, according to Fring.
"We are thrilled to bring iPhone users unrestricted video calling with all their friends and family. Ever since we launched the world's first mobile video calling last year, we see millions of users thirsty to share richer communication experiences" Avi Shechter, Fring's co-founder and CEO, said in a statement. "We're proud to facilitate this face-to-face mobile communication experience among friends wherever they are and wherever their friends are on smartphones."
When Apple unveiled the iPhone 4, CEO Steve Jobs said FaceTime will be Wi-Fi only in 2010 because Apple had to work out some details with cellular providers, but he did not elaborate.
It remains to be seen if Fring will tax mobile networks already battling increased data usage. Before you dub this Fring update a FaceTime killer, however, it should be noted that some tests have left something to be desired when it comes to Fring's video quality.
In May, PCMag tested Fring video calling on the HTC Evo 4G. Connecting over Wi-Fi, an Evo to Nexus One video call was unimpressive, with graphic artifacts cropping up and audio consistently out of sync. Making a call from the Evo to a Skype desktop improved the results a bit, but there were also issues with volume control.
The iPhone app is available now in the App Store.