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Fring In-Depth: VoIP, Skype, IM Application Available in the App Store

Aviv — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 03:38:40 +0000

Fring is a digital startup based in Israel. Coming out of Tel-Aviv, Fring offers a mobile service that enables free calls between its users. Once you’re using Fring, your normal coverage plan can be bypassed, and for that reason, its presence in the App Store is a rather big deal.

I had Fring installed on my jailbroken iPhone, and realized its true potential early on. Due to technical misunderstandings between Apple and Fring (or a lack of communication), the application never made it to the App Store, until now. In fact, up until about a week ago, Fring was planning on releasing 30 private beta licenses. But before the licenses were sent out to all, Apple approved the app, and users can now download it from the App Store.

Back in April of 2008, Fring launched an iPhone version of its service, and it was one of the first killer applications that convinced many users to jailbreak their iPhones. Alone, the flawless Skype functionality that Fring brings to the iPhone could be its killer feature. However, the ability to mash up Skype, MSN Messenger, ICQ, Google Talk™, SIP, Twitter, AIM & Yahoo!™ accounts into one application, makes this a must-have. The service works best on a WiFi connection. However it does work over GPRS, EDGE or 3G services and Windows Mobile, and Symbian handsets as well. Apple’s iPhone is the last platform to officially get the service.

Apple CEO Steve Jobs mentioned that VoIP applications would be allowed in the app store when the iPhone SDK was released. But Fring hasn’t been waiting around for Apple’s approval to make or break the company and its service. Even before being on the iPhone, Fring was signing up nearly 100,000 new users a month (We’ll update when new numbers are released). There’s already a VoIP application in the app store called truphone (iTunes link), but it hasn’t been met with nearly the same fanfare as Fring.

Getting Started with Fring is very simple. Download the App to your iPhone, or via iTunes (link), setup your various “add ons” (accounts) and start communicating. Unlike another IM app offered in the app store, Beejive, Fring’s service is entirely free, so there should be no reason not to download it.

Setting up Fring is extremely simple. Once you download the app,
simply add your “add ons” or accounts, and begin chatting or calling your buddy list.

Overall, Fring has done a great job exploiting the iPhone platform to leverage their product. Realizing that the App Store was a huge deal in the mobile market, Fring set out to tap into the iPhone and Apple’s devoted user base with its service. So far, the combination of key technology and aligning cultures bodes well for the company. As Apple users, we are ~~used to pixel perfect precision~~ snobs, so launching an existing service into our market is a gamble. And fortunately, Fring has managed to appease all thus far.

This new version is not the same batch of code that we were using in the jailbreak days, it’s completely fresh “out of the oven.” The interface is really appealing and in the world of UI adjustments, there’s not much to get used to with Fring, it’s all pretty familiar. Key decisions, such as the use of keyboard movements, or input fields while chatting make the application feel much more stable than other IM applications, even Google Talk.

The fring™ mobile VoIP solution maximizes use of the internet capabilities embedded within a subscriber’s handset. The fring solution establishes a peer-to-peer VoIP connection between calling parties, enabling true VoIP sessions between fring enabled handsets and also between handsets and PCs.

If Fring manages to gain traction amongst iPhone users, we could all get very happy with the ubiquity of a service on a handheld device that lets users bypass conventional cellular coverage plans. Essentially, you could only pay for a data plan, and then use Fring. Although this would take some time, and initiative from other major tech players, Fring is leading the push to free us all from our cell carrier prisons. I for one, say thank you.

You can download the Fring iPhone user guide here, or watch a Youtube video demoing the service.

Some benefits to using Fring:

• Chat over Wi-fi or internet data plan
• Use Skype, MSN Messenger, ICQ, Google Talk™, SIP, Twitter, AIM & Yahoo!™ in one place
• Uses thin-client technology that enables true VoIP over 3G, GPRS and WiFi networks
• Fring iPhone users can call other Fring iPhone users for free
• Call users to their computer from your phone
• Receive Skype phone calls, with your own Skype phone number
• Make cheap calls to landline and regular mobile (GSM/CDMA) contacts over Fring
• IT’S FREE

Israel Gets Official Mac OS X Hebrew Translation (Kinda)

Aviv — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 20:48:08 +0000

Although Isreal (Tel-Aviv especially) is often referred to as a mini Silicon Valley (Silicon Wadi), Apple hasn’t had an official Hebrew translation of OS X available, until now.

iDigital, Israel’s official Apple distributor explains that Israelis can now use the acclaimed Mac OS X operating system in hebrew. The Hebrew translation of OS X was developed over the course of two months, and iDigital was assisted by a collection of third-party testers. The Hebrew translation of OS X is a free download for many Hebrew speakers around the world. The countries first Premium Apple Reseller is scheduled to open soon in Tel Aviv, at the Ramat Aviv Mall.

MacBlogz has previously reported about the lack of Apple’s presence in Israel, and how it has even forced many users to create a Facebook group asking Apple for the iPhone. Many users in Israel have unlocked iPhones illegally and many companies are making money on the software updatesthey provide after unlocking the iPhone, to keep it unlocked and avoid getting it bricked.

Israel is a tiny, tiny country, yet it’s very dense with technological advancements and a rapidly booming economy. MacBlogz gets a press release from an Israeli dot-com startup at least once every couple of weeks. Fring is an Israeli startup that has a nice product. With all of the technology booming in Israel and cities like Tel-Aviv especially, the lack of Apple support is very surprising. I have traveled to Israel with my Apple computers and iPods and my iPhone. Everyone I met knew exactly what they were and how to use them. Regardless of Apple’s marketing not focused on targeting Israel, the country still knows everything that’s going on with Apple and its products.

Clever Jews: The above image is NOT a translation of the official Online Apple Store. It’s simply a well done, and complimenting replica of the Apple Store’s layout and design on iDigital’s website. They probably just used Firebug and did it in a couple of days. Either way, looks good.

[via Macnn]

Israel asking Apple… “Where are our iPhones?”

Aviv — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 20:45:06 +0000

Laura Goldman is infamous for putting a “Sell” status on Apple shares after the iPhone introduction. “I am putting a sell on Apple, the company that created the iPhone.” Laura Goldman wrote for McClatchy-Tribune News Service in 2007. “Now that the future of Apple is the iPhone, Apple’s valuation might start to trade in line with other mobile handset makers like Nokia, Motorola and Sony-Ericsson,” she continued.

We’ve seen analysts make mistakes, be dead wrong, and overall make cooky claims concerning Apple. But this was just complete insanity. Goldman will never be able to live down the ridiculous “Sell” she put on Apple and how utterly WRONG she was. (Seeing as how the stock has nearly doubled in the last few years)

So now you know a little bit about Laura Goldman. She also happens to write for the NakedIsraeli’s Weblog.

“Israel, aka Silicon Wadi, considers itself the second most important tech center next to Silicon Valley. As self respecting techies, many Israelis need or at least covet an iPhone. Although Apple signed selling agreements with more than 70 countries including our Arab neighbors, it did not sign one in Israel.” Goldman reports.

She continues to explain how “Thousands of Israelis have banded together on Facebook to protest to Apple. In my opinion. they are protesting to the wrong corporation. I suspect that the two major cellphone providers in the country, Cellcom and Partner, have refused to make a deal with Apple because they do not want to subsidize the cost of the iPhone.”

“The problem with living in a county with no competition and many oligopolies is that service and new product introductions suffer. Each of them has more than 30% of the nation’s mobile phone calls. The iPhone probably will not bring them much more.”

Additional thoughts: Israel is a tiny, tiny country, yet it’s very dense with technological advancements and a rapidly booming economy. MacBlogz gets a press release from an Israeli dot-com startup at least once every couple of weeks. Fring is an Israeli startup that has a nice product. With all of the technology booming in Israel and cities like Tel-Aviv especially, the lack of Apple support is very surprising. I have traveled to Israel with my Apple computers and iPods and my iPhone. Everyone I met knew exactly what they were and how to use them. Regardless of Apple’s marketing not focused on targeting Israel, the country still knows everything that’s going on with Apple and its products.

Laura Goldman states that the absence of Apple’s iPhone might have more to do with the carriers than it does Apple. However, I strongly disagree with this. Carrier’s in other countries are doing everything they can to acquire and sell the iPhone on their networks. Israel is very adept at noticing emerging technological trends, and having the iPhone (without needing to unlock it) seems only fitting for a country referred to as Silicon Wadi.

Apple clearly knows about the booming technology sector in Israel. Events like the Mashable Tel Aviv and Israel Media Tour have drawn global coverage, with many of Apple’s core technology partners participating in the event. Yet still Apple support in Israel remains lacking. At this point, either one of two things could be preventing the iPhone from being available in Israel: 1) Apple cannot come to a solid agreement with either of the two major carriers in Israel – although this seems hard to believe seeing as how Apple is bending their revenue earning rules to gain acceptance in other global markets. or 2) Apple is knowingly planning (or ignoring) strong presence in Israel and wants to wait until it is supported in Israel (with retail stores maybe?) before releasing a major breakthrough product like the iPhone.

Out of the 70 countries lined up to receive the iPhone, Israel not being on the list leaves me utterly confused.

Via our friends MacDailyNews