The reported move ends a beautiful four-year relationship between Fring and Skype. After the updated Fring app launched, a huge volume of calls caused necessitated that Fring “temporarily reduce support” to Skype. At that point, according to a Fring spokesperson, Skype “demanded that [they]NOT restore connectivity”.
As often happens in a messy breakup, Skype has a different version of events, stating unequivocally that “there is no truth to Fring’s claims that Skype blocked them, it was their decision and choice to withdraw Skype functionality”. At the same time, they make clear that Fring violated Skype’s terms by “misusing the Skype software in ways which it was not designed for and which does not scale to meet consumer demand”.
So in a nutshell, if I’m parsing this correctly: Fring introduces great Skype functionality for iPhone 4 video chat. Demand for said functionality causes Fring to temporarily pull Skype support. Pulling Skype support suddenly violates Skype licence agreement, ergo Skype will no longer play nice with Fring. Or not, depending on who you ask.
The fact remains that no matter how much he said/she said gets thrown about here, we all just lost a pretty killer feature.
This whole ordeal also raises a bigger question: why is there no Skype app for iPhone that supports video chat? Or that does iOS4 background calling? It’s clear that Skype is acting defensively in this case; I just wish they had something more robust that they were defending, since third parties like Fring have to date been our only option.
Full statements from both companies are below:
Following fring’s string of mobile video calling wins – Skype blocks fring
Skype – former crusader for open communications – bans competition after fring trail-blazes mobile communication innovation
London, United Kingdom, 12 July 2010. fring, the multi-award winning mobile over internet communication service, today announces that it is being forced to stop its 4 years of Skype interconnectivity following threat of legal action. Skype’s anti-competitive ambush comes in the wake of fring’s mobile video calling on iPhone 4 launch, which continues to set the standard in rich mobile internet communication.
Since its foundation in 2006, fring’s rich mobile communications have been available to both fring users and open 3rd party networks including GoogleTalk, SIP, Twitter and, until now, Skype. However, despite fring expanding its network capacity over the last days to serve its enlarged user base, Skype is refusing to allow fring to restore connectivity to Skype. Accordingly, fringsters will no longer be able to communicate with their Skype friends the way they want, but can invite their Skype friends to join fring and enjoy unrestricted mobile video calling from any mobile phone, chat and voice services without restriction to a user’s mobile operator and the freedom to choose internet connectivity (3G/4G/WiFi).
“We are disappointed that Skype, who once championed the cause of openness, is now attempting to muzzle competition, even to the detriment of its own users” said Avi Shechter, fring’s Co-Founder and CEO “We apologise to our users for the impact of Skype’s bullying and we will be happy to reconnect with Skype once Skype reverses their decision.” Avi continued, “We believe in communication openness and know that users will continue to vote with their mobile phones – opting for fring’s innovation, clarity, honesty and openness”.
fring’s newest version is now available for download from fring’s website here and from appstores.
Let freedom fring!
“Skype has been in discussions with Fring regarding our belief that Fring is breaching our API Terms of Use and End User Licence Agreement. Skype is disappointed that an amicable resolution was not possible. There is no truth to Fring’s claims that Skype blocked them, it was their decision and choice to withdraw Skype functionality.
Skype encourages openness and supports developers to build products that work with Skype in accordance with our various API licenses. In this case Fring violated Skype’s terms by misusing the Skype software in ways which it was not designed for and which does not scale to meet consumer demand. Just this past weekend Fring had to pull down Skype support for their iPhone video client which further damaged the Skype brand and disappointed consumers yet again.
Skype will rigorously protect its brand and reputation and those companies that do not comply with our terms will be subject to enforcement.”
matt
Tuesday, July 13, 2010 at 9:25 AMthis is why I hate the tech industry. bunch of 2 yearolds running everything… its it SOOO hard to just get along??
huu
Thursday, July 15, 2010 at 8:50 PMmuch worst mate, its a bunch of adults acting like 2 years old runing everything!
gman
Tuesday, July 13, 2010 at 10:25 AMThis to me, is a real killer for Skype. For one, Skype never seemed to implement their product as wells fring did. To have all my google contacts and Skype contacts living as one happy cloud family was a gift from the gods. But what they giveth they can taketh away… I always knew this relationship was too good to last, especially when money can be made. Was just on the verge of making the change to Android…finally but now I’m having second thoughts. Without a good skype client I just can’t justify it. Cant we all just get along? Now lets all play nice in the sandbox and everyone will be ok. Skype, let Fring play with your toys, Fring, stop throwing sand and trying to steal the show.
pocketmanzz
Monday, July 19, 2010 at 2:29 PMI recently got an Android and just this week have been searching for something like this. I found Fring, then was bummed after all of the references to skype which pointed me towards it, now the functionality is gone.
I think luckily though, because after getting back on the hunt I found Nimbuzz. It makes and receives Skype calls, and connects to a lot more IM services than most others including fring.
Admittedly, I haven’t had time to fully test out yet, eg, I haven’t made any skype-out calls. However, calls to and from a skype user work great.
So yeah, try Nimbuzz if you’re missing your skype calls on android.
David Dixon
Tuesday, July 13, 2010 at 6:17 PMahh just go get a nokia n900 if you want skype functionality. i have one and it works great….