android vs apple

Many of us have been waiting for an official Google video chat service and that time is finally (almost for all phones other than the Nexus S) here!!! The Nexus S will be receiving the Android 2.3.4 update which includes full video and voice chat for Gtalk, allowing you to chat with friends using their phones, tablets, or computers. Other devices will eventually get this feature as Gingerbread rolls out to older phones.  Hopfully they will skip the Android 2.3.3 updates that most had scheduled and go straight to 2.3.4. Ahhh the advantages of having a pure Android phone like the Nexus S.  The service will work on WiFi, 3G, and 4G.  Any Nexus S user want to share their initial impressions? Lets hope it doesn't take another 3+ Months to see this get pushed out to older phones.

Update: Don't feel like waiting for the update to be pushed to your phone? Download the manual update below.  Make sure that you are running 2.3.3 already and have the i9020T (AWS equipped model) since that is the model the update is intended for unless you know what you're doing and want to be adventurous. If this isn't making sense to you, just keep checking for you update in settings and play it safe, its on the way.

Manual 2.3.4 Update



  

Skype has already released their crippled Skype mobile Android app to all Android phones after a short exclusive term on Verizon Android devices.  Unfortunately it came without video calling, you know, Skype's number one feature; but now they are ready to correct that problem and will be introducing a fully featured version of their app.  There is likely to be a small catch however.  If history tells us anything, it debuting on Verizon's upcoming 4G LTE, Tegra dual-core powered, 4.3-inch Droid Bionic, likely means that it will for at least a little while be a Verizon exclusive; and  not because of any LTE related specifications, but because VZW has that kind of pull.

On the plus side I'm sure once the Droid Bionic is released hacking and porting that apps functionality over to other capable phones will be at the top of many developers to-do list and hopefully my Evo will be Skype video calling within days of its release!  Either way video chat on any Android has to be good for all Androids eventually.... Now we wait....

Oh and I forgot to mention Skype's recent acquisition of Qik, the half baked video calling app thats installed on many video chat capable Androids, especially of the Sprint variety.  This has to be a good thing for the spread of that new video calling functionality beyond the big red walls of Verizon.  Lets hope that once that acquisition is completed all phones that come with a default install of Qik get the option to use Skype.  I really wasn't feeling Qik at all... This is sure to take a chunk out of Fring's user base too I'm sure.

*UPDATE: It's looking like all of Verizon's 4G video chat capable phones will be running the new Skype! Hopefully this means hacking it will be even easier if it ends up being a Verizon exclusive.













Source: Engadget

   

Those of you who aren't happy using Fring for your 3G voice calling will be glad to know that you can now use Apple's own FaceTime app over your 3G data connection.  It will just require your phone to be jailbroken.  Once you've managed to jailbreak your iPhone 4, an app called My3G will let you video chat outside of those limiting wifi network. Video quality seems to be unaffected, but frame rate is slightly diminished due to the reduced bandwidth; a fair trade for the increased mobility!

Your list of  reason to jailbreak just got a bit bigger!