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



  

Verizon showed it off, made promises, but did not deliver Skype with video calling upon release of its first LTE 4G phone the HTC Thunderbolt. But the file has been leaked and is waiting for you to download and install! Reports so far state that it runs well on 4G/WiFi and decent on 3G. I just did a test call from my laptop to my friends Thunderbolt and it seemed to work pretty well. I was really impressed with the sound quality.  Unfortunately the app only works for the Thunderbolt (tried on my Evo to no avail), but this is still a good thing for all of Android.  Just like the original (video call-less) Skype app for Android started as a VZW exclusive and was later released to all Android handsets, the video enabled version will eventually be available to all as well.  Hopefully some skilled developers and hackers will make that happen sooner than Skype or more accurately Verizon has planned.  Download the app from one of the links below and give it a try!

Download:
Thunderbolt Skype App [mirror] [mirror2]

Source: Droid Life

  

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

   

It's been a long wait for Verizon's exclusivity to end on Skype Mobile for Android, but the day has finally come. The question is however; is it too little too late?  The US version of the app is limited to WiFi only (despite the odd fact that the VZW version is 3G only #fail) which means no 3G or 4G (ie. true mobile) Skyping.  Continuing to fail there is no video support..... Yeah soooo.... other than international calling it may not be the most useful app, but hopefully we will see those features added soon.


Meanwhile Fring, which once supported Skype functionality (including video) before Skype demanded it be removed; has added it's own calling service called FringOut. This new service allows users to make US and international calls for as little as one cent per minute! Aditionally Skype supports WiFi, 3G, 4G and video chat functionality as well as chat services through Fring, GTalk, ICQ, MSN, Twitter, AIM and Yahoo. Fring works for all versions of Android not just 2.1+ as well as Symbian devices, iPhone, and Nokia devices with the OVI store.

Skype is definitely better known and has a prettier UI but Fring, a one time ally is becoming a serious competitor. Check out the Fring Mobile app video below.



Source: PPC Geeks, PC World