Free Mobile VOIP client, Fring, is now available for the iPhone via the iTunes store. Fring offers VOIP via SkypeOut and SIP over WiFi, as well as connecting to Skype, MSN, ICQ, Google Talk, Twitter, Yahoo, and AOL’s AIM. While it has its problems, it’s an excellent start to a proper VOIP application for the iPhone (along with TruPhone and PennyTel).
I tested both SIP (with a free account from Voipstunt) and Skype calls, and whilst the quality isn’t amazing it’s perfectly usable. Using Fring for MSN, etc. was also perfectly fine, although I’m sure there’ll be some much-needed interface tweaks in the next release.
My only main gripe with the software is that it takes 5 minutes for the Skype contact list to load. It’s also currently impossible to use the keypad to generate touch tones, so there’s no menu system navigation.
Sadly, Fring will only run over WiFi, as AT&T’s deal with Apple no doubt barred Apple from allowing VOIP clients to run over 3G or EDGE connections.
