Michael Knutson
06-29-2011, 02:00 AM
<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://gigaom.com/apple/fring-ipad-group-video-chat/' target='_blank'>http://gigaom.com/apple/fring-ipad-...oup-video-chat/</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"Just last week, we saw an early glimpse of Skype’s upcoming iPad app, but today, Fring appears to be one step ahead of the game. Fring’s free Video Calls + IM app got an update Monday that brings full iPad-optimized group video chat for up to four users, and it works with any platform where Fring has presence, and on both Wi-Fi and 3G connections."</em></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/at/auto/1309310088.usr17748.jpg" style="border: 1px solid #d2d2bb;" /></p><p>Fring appears to be the first to bring group chat to the iPad, with its client managing four-way chats, while Skype is late to the party, and early information makes no mention of (free, like Fring) four-way chat capabilities. One huge advantage for Skype is that it supports desktop (and laptop) clients, while Fring is only for Smartphones and iOS devices. I haven't tried any video chatting using 3G, but I think that a four-way chat on any 3G network would be an especially frustrating experience.</p>