Is everyone like me as troubled with Fring no longer supporting Skype? I have been using Fring on my Balckberry Bold for few years and I am hooked. I was looking forward to use it on the new Iphone since I heavily rely on its the face-face video calls through Skype and all my other favourite applications. It is fantastic since it supported multiple Internet communication platforms via one application.
Rumoured causes
There are several rumours as to why this has happened. Like most of us, who are on AT&T, have always never failed to experience the usual overloading problems while using their network either for data transfer or VoIP. Like them, Fring seems to have similar issues and had to ban Skype users from using their platform. Initially soon after launching the updated version for Iphone, Fring announced in their forums that Skype’s ban is temporary. Alas! It wasn’t soon when they confirmed complete ban in their press release. So now people are blaming the Iphone for being the cause factor for having Skype as a featured application on it. This does not mean Fring is going away from Iphone. However, I have to agree with 9to5mac.com who articled that Skype is sabotaging their own reputation of being open minded, by actually threatening to sue Fring for having Skype as their supported application.
Fring’s reaction
Fring in a news statement earlier this week did say they were forced to terminate their four year relationship with Skype interconnectivity, due to legal action threat. Since their launch in 2006, Fring have been available not just to fring-fring users but also 3rd party networks like GoogleTalk, AIM, Facebook, Twitter, MSN, Yahoo Messenger, ICQ, SIM, and few others. Avi Shechter, Fring’s Co-Founder and CEO said the reaction and the timing of this odious decision from Skype sadden him, he added by saying “We apologize to our users for the impact of Skype’s bullying and we will be happy to reconnect with Skype once Skype reverses their decision”. The company still seems optimistic as they are working expanding their network capacity to better serving their increasing user base.
Are they coping well?
Fring – Fring video call clarity is equally good as Skype, but I feel it defeats the purpose for me having it since I mostly use the application for the advantage of having all my favourite applications and the most used Skype for my Video call on a single outlet; also I have more contacts on Skype than Fring members. It annoys me to imagine I have to have Skype as a separate application, which will take more space that I could possible use for another useful application like Fring.
I even find it interesting how Fring on the website has placed a red ban sign against the Skype logo, although they still do promote the Skype banner as a selling point to get more users or just being hopeful to have them back on their network.
