Another multi protocol Instant Messaging (IM) application for mobile device (Symbian and Windows Mobile) is Fring (still a Beta). This free mobile VoIP software gives the possibility to communicate with Skype, MSN, Google Talk, Twitter.

Fring also supports SkypeOut as well as SIP-based services such as GizmoProject, VoIPStunt, among many others. Real-Time contact presence is also taken into consideration. 

Once connected using packet switching network (Wi-Fi, GPRS, EDGE, etc..) you can then select which communication option you want to use to establish a voice communication: Fring, SkypeOut, SIP or simply the GSM network.

Unlike Agile Messenger, Fring doesn't propose file or photo transfer and Yahoo protocol has not been taken on board.

To install the software on a supported device, once the installation page filled up, a SMS is sent with the link to your terminal. Your phone number will be used as User-ID. 

While doing some text and voice test using my HTC S620 (Dopod C720) I have very few points that require, on my point of view, some improvements:

• Different services cannot be managed individually
• Switch OFF external speaker while on voice call
• Add File, photo, video transfer

  test continues..

Source: SmartphoneMag

Tags: 2007, agile, air, art, blog, C720, Cavalier, ces, communication, dopod, free, fring, google, google talk, gsm, HP, htc, ia, im, install, instant messenger, lan, LED, list, live, messenger, mobile, Mobile Communications, msn, network, nomadcom.net, phone, photo, presence, project, S620, services, skype, smartphone, sms, space, symbian, term, twit, Twitter, user, video, windows, WM5, WM6, wp, www, yahoo

Agilemobile.com, a Bangkok based company, has released the final version of Agile Messenger 3 which is a "all-in-one" Instant Messaging client for mobile terminal.

Agile supports MSN, Yahoo, AIM, ICQ Jabber & GoogleTalk can carry all type of messages (IM, Voice, Video, Photo) and is available for Nokia, Sony Ericsson (Symbian) as well as for Windows Mobile devices (Pocket PC and Smartphone running on WM2002, WM2003 or WM5).

Price is 50 USD per licence.

For corporate users 2 options are available.

1. a version of Agile Messenger that can be customized to reflect corporate identity
2. a LCS client version for that connect directly to Microsoft Live Communication Server without additional gateway.

Installation is straight forward with an *.exe package, or *cab files can be downloaded directly to the mobile terminal. 

I have made few test, and found the interface very pleasant & easy to use. File and photo transfer works fine, specially if you're connected through a Wi-Fi hotspot.

Cons:

• Could not update Twitter using GTalk IM protocol. Twitter user is seen online, but sent messages are not published on Twitter page.
• Skype support would certainly turn this application to a "must have" specially if the possibility of using SkypeOut gateway is given to contact people by phone.

While reaching the end of 7 days trial period given by Agile, I just found another multi-protocol IM tool for PDA and Smartphone which is free: Fring

A quick review of Fring will follow shortly is now published.

Tags: 2003, 2007, agile, aim, art, Bangkok, blog, ces, communication, ericsson, free, fring, google, GTalk, ia, icq, im, install, instant messenger, lan, live, messenger, microsoft, mobile, Mobile Communications, msn, nokia, nomadcom.net, online, pda, phone, photo, release, review, skype, smartphone, sony, space, symbian, term, twit, Twitter, update, user, video, web, windows, WM5, WM6, wp, www, XP, yahoo

While HTC Europe concentrate all its marketing on HTC-Touch, in Asia, HTC under its Dopod brand name has released earlier last month the Dopod C730 also known as HTC Cavalier successor of Dopod 720w (HTC S620).

At first look there are not many differences between both models. the C730 is slightly thicker (0.7mm) but also lighter 120g (-10g) than its predecessor.

Price tag in Singapore : 790 SGD (513.- USD)

Main differences are the following :

• MicroSD slot is now accessible from outside. Easier to swap cards
• Operating System is Windows Mobile 6 which integrates more services (Office files edition, Live Search, MSN, etc..)
• Camera 2 mega pixels.
• Better battery capacity (1050 mAh)
• Samsung 400 MHz CPU, 64MB of RAM and 128MB of flash ROM
• Quad band GSM (850/900/1800/1900 MHz) + 3G and HSDPA connectivity

Some points are still missing or require improvements

• Touch-sensitive strip on the edge of the phone is still hard to tame (usually I just use it to adjust volume during calls).
• Only a 2 megapixel camera when Nokia proposes 5 mega ones.
• No LED flash and front-facing camera for 3G video calls.
• No standard audio jack but a multi-purpose mini-USB connector instead.

Full Specification available on Dopod Singapore site

Sources : CNet Asia, Dopod Singapore

Tags: 2007, access, api, arc, art, asia, ATT, blog, C720, C720w, C730, camera, capacity, card, Cavalier, ces, connectivity, dopod, europe, flash, gap, global, gsm, htc, ia, im, iphone, lan, LED, light, live, mobile, Mobile Communications, models, msn, nokia, nomadcom.net, phone, phones, release, review, S620, samsung, search, services, smartphone, space, sun, Telecommunications, touch, touchflo, usb, video, windows, windows mobile 6, wp, www