When last we saw Fring, the VOIP app was touting its popularity after an update to its iPhone client and how it had to "temporarily reduce support to Skype" because of it. Looks like there may be a bit more to this story, however, as this mo…
Yeah, so by now Fring users likely have noticed that Skype access has been pulled. And, you guessed it, we have the iPhone to blame. Fring recently updated its iPhone version, which allows cross-platform chatting (see our demo with Rene from TiPB) and…
The Fring app for the iPhone got an update today (see our previous Android-related hands-on) that lets it play nice with Android (and Symbian, too). That means us Android users can have video chats with our misbegotten friends who shelled out for the …
We’ve already taken a walk through the basic functions of the updated Qik video chat app for the Evo 4G — now let’s take a look at video chat in action. Check it out after the break as Jerry and I give things a go, with both of us connected over WiFi, though even that couldn’t make up for the server crush everybody’s putting on Qik.
Posted originally at Android Central
Sponsored by www.droidappshowcase.com
Android video chat is finally here, after a few days and more than a little gnashing of teeth, on the Sprint Evo 4G. The Qik app has been up and down as they’ve dealt with the crush of new Evo’s hitting their servers. But we’ve been putting it through its paces, and it’s pretty easy to use.
Just fire it up, and you have options to place a video call, record a video (and stream it live at the same time), record and view video messages (part of those $5-a-month premium features, which are free until July15), and manage all of your videos. Buttons are large and well-marked, and it took zero setup to get things going. You also can choose (on phones with front-facing cameras, anyway) which camera to use — front or rear.
Placing a video call was simple — you choose the person from your contact list. That simple, and it works just fine in portrait and landscape mode. Check out more screen shots after the break.
Posted originally at Android Central
Sponsored by www.droidappshowcase.com
Been wondering where the Qik app — the much heralded video chat service that was (supposed to be) a major part of the Evo 4G launch — has gone? It’s been missing from the Android Market for a little while, and those of you with earlier versions have been awaiting the update for video chat on the Evo 4G (and those premium features, too). Well, it seems that you’ve been the problem. From the Qik blog:
Earlier in the day we ran into a snag with Qik for HTC EVO 4G not being visible in the Android Market from the HTC EVO 4G devices – even though it was published to the market. Hats off to our great partner Google. Their Android team jumped in, found the issue and came up with a workaround that enabled us to at least get the new Qik Video client out to our users.
We had an unprecedented 20X the amount of workload on our servers. As a result, you were seeing issues connecting to our service on and off. So, our team is now out provisioning more capacity and we expect to have this in control shortly. We feel bad that not all of you got a chance to experience the new Qik Video today and truly appreciate your patience. Rest assured we are not going to rest till this is humming and you are able to video chat with your friends and loved ones.
That’s a bad start for the Qik folks, and quite the leg up for Fring at this point. [Qik Blog via Android Central Forums]
Posted originally at Android Central
Sponsored by www.droidappshowcase.com
Now that the Evo 4G is all official and everything, Qik has explained exactly what you’ll get if you give them an extra $5 a month for "premium" service. And they’ve done so in handy chart form. Higher resolution (we assume at the Evo front camera’s full 1280×960) video and video e-mail are great, but we’re just not sure how often we’re going to use video chat. Check out the full list after the break. [Qik blog]
Fun fact: We (and a bunch of you, too) were still getting e-mails from Sprint that mentioned (in the fine print) the $5 like it was mandatory. It’s optional. Period.
Posted originally at Android Central
Sponsored by www.droidappshowcase.com
Call off the dogs, folks. Qik took to its blog late Friday (early Saturday according to the timestamp) to explain the documentation first found by Android Guys and later by Engadget (and, admittedly, later repeated by us) that its video chat service on the Sprint Evo 4G would cost an extra $4.99 a month. Basic video chat will, in fact, be free. "Advanced, premium features," however, will cost something extra, though the blog doesn’t specifically say how much. Here’s the full skinny:
Well, there’re a number of rumors flying around that the 2-way Qik mobile video service will require a premium subscription. We wanted to clarify what that really means. Firstly, rest assured that the core Qik service that lets you communicate live from your phone to other phones, web and desktop will be FREE. Yes – this means that the core capability of doing 2-way Qik video chat will be FREE for Sprint EVO 4G users. The subscription fee will be for some advanced premium features that we are working on, which we will be announcing on June 4th – the day the amazing HTC EVO 4G phone launches.
So, tune back in on June 4th for a complete list of features of the new Qik along with the optional advanced premium features for you to enjoy!
Maybe this was one of those blog rumors gone wild. Maybe this was the plan all along. (Phil’s guess: More than likely just a garbled message that ended up in some documentation somewhere.) Qik didn’t respond to our e-mail Thursday night, and we’ll likely never know. But basic video chat will be free, and we can all go back to worrying about what’s really important: Complaining about when our phones will get the Froyo update. [Qik] Thanks, Rick!
This is a post by Android Central. It is sponsored by the Android Central Accessories Store
Google today purchased Global IP Solutions, a $68 million move that could pave the way for a more native video chat solution (sorry, Qik and Sprint) for Android smartphones, possibly in gmail, or Google Talk, or maybe some new native app.
GIPS recently showed off its VideoEngine software, which you can see above. And between this, the Evo 4G and Qik, and the expected video chat on the next iPhone, we may well be ushering in a new connectivity era for smartphones. Stay tuned. [via Electronista]
Aside from the 4G WiMax hotspot, one of the other cool new features of the Sprint Evo 4G is honest-to-goodness two-way video chat, with Qik serving it all up. And it worked fairly well in the demo. You can choose to stream video either from the 8MP rear camera, or the 1.3MP front-facing camera. And it works over all there of the Evo 4G’s data options — EVDO, WiMax or WiFi (though the later two definitely will give you better results thanks to their higher speeds).
Oh, and since you asked, this is part of what’s included in that extra $10 Sprint is charging you. Check it all out after the break.
