Fring launched

I'm a recent convert to the Fring way, and I noticed today that the software is officially launched. Press release below:

fring™ today officially launched its free, mVoIP (mobile VoIP) service for S60 devices. Developed by Nokia, S60 is the world’s leading smartphone software, as Nokia alone has shipped cumulatively over 84 million S60 based devices by the end of 2006.

fring is a light downloadable mobile phone application enabling anyone with a compatible handset to make free calls and text messages or “chat” to other fring users in addition to Skype, Google Talk and MSN contacts. Used in more than 140 countries only three months after launch, fring is now available for S60 devices via download from www.fring.com. S60 offers mobile users an easy-to-use and intuitive user interface, a good inter-working application suite, and a rich application-development environment.

fring uses 3G mobile networks to transmit VoIP data; fringsters simply use the data within their existing subscription agreement. The service can also connect over Wi-Fi at home, in the office or at the many “hot spot” cafes; these calls consume neither voice nor data air time.

“Millions of users around the world can now enjoy mobile Voice over IP benefits like chat, ”Presence” or real-time contact availability, cost savings, and more,” commented Boaz Zilberman, fring co-founder and Chief Architect. “fring is a break for freedom for users who demand real mobile independence and who want to leverage the power and freedom of the Internet from their mobile phones, roaming freely between wireless network operators (GPRS, 3G, Wi-Fi) and enjoying the benefits of multiple IM providers (Skype, Google Talk and MSN Messenger).”

“Nokia is pleased to see such innovative applications as fring being developed and deployed on our devices based on S60 and Symbian OS,“ said Sanfrid Lindblom, business development manager, Forum Nokia, Nokia’s global software developer program. “fring enables end users to further enhance the value they derive from having access to the Internet with them wherever they go.”

S60 software built on Symbian OS is the world’s leading smartphone software, and is licensed by some of the industry’s foremost mobile device manufacturers. The flexibility of the S60 software allows for various hardware designs and software configurations, as evidenced by the multitude of S60 devices already available on the market. Through its award-winning user interface, extensive support for new mobile services and the innovation potential for partner solutions, S60 provides an open and scalable business opportunity for mobile operators and 3rd party developers. For further information and news about S60 and the S60 community, please visit www.s60.com.

ABOUT FRING

fring™ is a mobile Voice over Internet Protocol (mVoIP) application that allows users to make free calls over mobile and cellular data networks or a Wi-Fi connection. fring uses 3G over mobile phone networks and therefore provides a continuous call connection over Wi-Fi, 3G and GPRS. It is 100% free with no subscription costs; consumers simply pay for the data they use under their existing subscription agreement. Completely PC independent, fring requires no additional hardware and no location limitations (e.g. Wi-Fi hotspots). fring also integrates with Skype, Google Talk and MSN networks enabling users to call and chat with these applications from their mobile phone on any mobile network.

For further information please visit www.fring.com.

If you are unsure exactly how fring works, here is some information taken from their site:

The fring™ mobile VoIP solution is designed to optimize the embedded internet capabilities within the 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.

fring™ is based on a unique thin-client technology that for the first time enables true VoIP over 3G, GPRS and Wi-Fi networks. fring™ dynamically adapts itself to the optimal network and handset characteristics while enabling seamless roaming VoIP on multiple networks. The dedicated three-sided P2P network architecture has been developed to support near telco-grade voice quality and network efficiency.

fring™ leverages the Internet connectivity traditionally used for mobile email retrieval and web browsing to provide mobile-VoIP communications so users can talk and instant message for free!