Fring brings one-way video calling to the iPhone
By Donald Melanson 
posted December 1st 2009 1:18PM
posted December 1st 2009 1:18PM
Fring was the first to bring VoIP calls to the iPhone, and it looks like it's now finally done the same for video calling -- sort of. While it obviously can't do much to change the camera placement on the iPhone, the latest version of the app will at least let iPhone users (and iPod touch users, for that matter) see the person on the other end, and Fring says it'll add two-way video calling whenever "a front camera is placed on these." As with the company's app for Nokia devices, you'll also be able to make video calls to Skype users, but you'll have to make sure you're in the vicinity of a WiFi hotspot, as this one doesn't support calls on 3G. Head on past the break for a video.
Update: As we've been reminded, while Fring did somewhat beat it to the punch by making an app available for jailbroken iPhones, Truphone was actually the first VoIP app to be demoed, and the first to be officially approved an authorized by Apple.
Update: As we've been reminded, while Fring did somewhat beat it to the punch by making an app available for jailbroken iPhones, Truphone was actually the first VoIP app to be demoed, and the first to be officially approved an authorized by Apple.
once again, an iphone does something that has been done on other phones for years (a la MMS), but because it's on an iphone, it's a completely new and innovative idea.
@roger27
"but because it's on an iphone, it's a completely new and innovative idea."
Well, nobody here has said that, so you're reaction is a bit undue. However, I do agree that at some point, maybe with the next version of the iPhone, Apple will introduce full-fledged video calling to the US and soak up all the credit as if it had never been possible before.
But that's not Apple's fault, it's the American networks for assuming no one here has wanted video calling. I'm glad Fring introduced the same feature to N-series devices, but the fact that it's a Skype-only function has made it useless to me until someone I know starts using Skype.
So, hopefully the chain reaction will get started when Apple and ATT decide to implement video calling, and once that floodgate is opened then I can hopefully start using it on any of the 5 Nokia devices I own.
How about an iPhone case with a fiberoptic periscope that reflects light from the front round to the camera?
Can some engineer out there get on this please?
PLEASE Engadget...I implore you...DO RESEARCH!!!
email someone, pick up a phone for the love of God. I've just tested Fring on my ageing N95 here in the UK...video calling...two ways, works perfectly fine over 3G.
It hurts to see your news ability suck so hard.
@Tes What are you talking about? What does your comment have anything to do with what Engadget reported? How does it negate or disprove the details of this story? Why are you so negative?
@Fletcher Kasmer
"As with the company's app for Nokia devices, you'll also be able to make video calls to Skype users, but you'll have to make sure you're in the vicinity of a WiFi hotspot, as this one doesn't support calls on 3G"
Now maybe it's just worded badly, but this implies that the lack of 3G calling on the iPhone app is true also for Nokia devices...which it is not.
Not once have I ever been on the phone and thought "if only this were a video call." Haha. I guess it can be blamed on iChat and Skype, but I've never wished I had the ability to make video calls.
Progress can be very slow.
Please make optional ad on front facing iphone camera apple please.
I hate to turn on camera, when it's off on the other side :P
I'd reather make it oposite: allow PC-user to see what phone's camera does!
great iPhone thing http://iphoneservicesdepot.com