Ho, ho, ho, buckos! The app pirate is back for some pirate-tastic reviews. Aye, when I be slackin’ off of the good ol’ Jolly Rogers, I be back at home testing apps and writing reviews. For this review, though, I didn’t have to test any app out since I be using Fring day and night on me smartphone. Aye, Fring be me best friend – the app to rule them all. Aye, the LOTR reference seems apt considering that Fring pretty much connects you to everyone.
Fringing Out
Fring is a definite mainstay in my app portfolio. I consider it to be the ultimate instant messaging and VOIP (voice over Internet Protocol) app around. Using it saves me a lot of hassle and a ton of money. So, you could say I be fringin’ out for Fring.
But, seriously, Fring is a godsend. It is a communications app that pretty much hooks you up to the big boys such as Yahoo Messenger, AIM, ICQ, MSN, GTalk, and ICQ. Fring allows a user to log on to these networks and integrate the chats and buddy list there into their Fring account. Aye, you will be required to sign up for a Fring account to hook up with those networks. But, don’t worry, it is worth the hassle and it is totally free.
Now, I particularly find its Twitter and Facebook integration a grand slamming trick that other IM apps should consider copying. Imagine, while on Fring, you can send out tweets or status updates on those social media platforms. Convenience is the name of the game here, and Fring delivers with a whole lot of pizzazz.
More Features
Fring also comes with the standard IM features that you often find in other IM Apps. For instance, it has group chatting, video chatting, and multimedia sharing. It provides users with an easy way to manage buddy lists and customize it to a user’s specific preferences. It has push notification, auto-connect (useful when mobile Internet is erratic), and a wide collection of emoticons and buzzes. However, all these features are something you can find in other IM apps – so what is the big deal? Well, Fring also provides video calling and call out services (aptly named as Fring Out).
Video calling on Fring is what makes it stand out. Video and audio is clear on one-on-one video calling. But, that isn’t the nail on the coffin here. The real meat of the calzone here is the group video calling, where you can connect to multiple people in one interface at the same time. Aye, the screen divides into segments allowing you to see all their mugs on a single screen. The quality on such a feature is pretty decent and depended on the Internet connection you have. Some people have found Skype’s group video calling much better, but I think that is based on a lot of factors.
As for the Fring Out, this is Fring’s call out service. Basically, it gives you the option of making International or local calls to a fixed landline or mobile phone through Fring at significantly cheaper rates. And, when I say cheaper, I mean at least 60 percent cheaper than a call via your mobile carrier. The call quality is pretty good but, again, is highly dependent on a number of factors.
Bottom Line
I may be biased in saying that Fring is a must-have on your device. It is stable, reliable, and a veritable cost-saver. Now, you may argue that other IM apps like Skype or Nimbuzz may have better call quality, crisper video, and doesn’t drain on the battery too much (aye, I forgot to mention that Fring sometimes does that when connecting using 4G). Well, I can’t fault you for that because it really boils down to preference. All I can say is that I like Fring and you should, at the very least, give it a whirl.
