Fring VoIP app now a 'go' on Android

Fring 1.0 brings multinetwork IM and Internet calling to Android users.

Jessica Dolcourt Senior Director, Commerce & Content Operations

Jessica Dolcourt is a passionate content strategist and veteran leader of CNET coverage. As Senior Director of Commerce & Content Operations, she leads a number of teams, including Commerce, How-To and Performance Optimization. Her CNET career began in 2006, testing desktop and mobile software for Download.com and CNET, including the first iPhone and Android apps and operating systems. She continued to review, report on and write a wide range of commentary and analysis on all things phones, with an emphasis on iPhone and Samsung. Jessica was one of the first people in the world to test, review and report on foldable phones and 5G wireless speeds. Jessica began leading CNET's How-To section for tips and FAQs in 2019, guiding coverage of topics ranging from personal finance to phones and home. She holds an MA with Distinction from the University of Warwick (UK).

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Jessica Dolcourt

Nov. 18, 2009 10:56 a.m. PT

There is a handful of VoIP apps for Android that can make free calls over Wi-Fi and 3G, and as of Wednesday, the list grows by one.

Fring 1.0 is an all-in-one communicator that pairs support for chat services like Yahoo Messenger, Google Talk, and Twitter with voice services like Skype and SIP. Fring also offers a low-cost service for placing international calls.

Weighing in at a little over a megabyte, Fring for Android mirrors Fring's features on other mobile platforms, like Windows Mobile, iPhone, and Symbian. The main difference is the design. Fring for Android takes advantage of the Android's Menu key to switch among open chats. The app is simply laid out, which makes it easy to initiate chats or calls to contacts in your buddy list. The strength of your data or Wi-Fi connection will affect call quality, of course.

Truphone for Android, already in version 2.0, is Fring's biggest competitor, with IM support for Skype, Google Talk, Yahoo, MSN, AIM, and Twitter. Truphone doesn't market itself as a VoIP app, however, since it can also place low-cost international calls over its own network, and since it doesn't plug into existing voice services like Skype's voice calls or SIP.

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