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

Well known for its analysis, the Gartner Group predicts, in its last week press release, that Instant Messaging systems will be the "de facto" tool for voice, video and text chat with 95% of workers in leading global organizations. It may even become the primary interface for real-time communications by 2013. The Gartner Group forecasts the IM market to grow from 267 mio/USD in 2005 to 688 mio/USD in 2010.

As part of the corporate IT infrastructure, they recommend use of corporate IM solutions such IBM "Lotus Sametime" or Microsoft's "Office Live Communication Server" as they can be protected by the corporate firewall. One key part of IM corporate setup will be the "Presence Technology" which allows people to establish the availability of others for real-time communications regardless of their location.  It also enables users to cut through desktop clutter, resulting in immediate responses.

As a result, Gartner predicts that by 2012, presence technology will be offered independently of IM and email products.  Mr David Mario Smith, research analyst at Gartner, urged vendors and enterprises alike to recognize this and develop a real-time architecture with presence as the key ingredient. “The IM client is becoming the launch pad for many types of communications channels and services,” he concluded.  “Presence will extend its influence beyond IM to become an essential source of innovation for enterprise applications of the future.” 

This release collides with a discussion I had last week with some colleagues about which IM tool we were using and which one is our preferred. Personally, a tool like Skype makes my day as I get to use it to transmit and receive messages from many networks and not exclusively from the Web. However, it is well known that Skype is a real nightmare for corporate ICT Security officer and this piece of software always tries its best to find a way to connect the net, bypassing any corporate security (firewall & NAT) using peer-to-peer technology.

Full Press release is available on Gartner site

Bad luck for Apple, but few days after the highly publicized announcement of Apple Inc. iPhone, Cisco sues Apple Inc. for trademark infringement on using "iphone" name which are Linksys family product, available on market since 2006.

Source : engadget

Now what will happen with LG and their KE850 Prada phone, awarded with the "International Forum Design Product Design Award for 2007". The external look is rather similar, but it's difficult to find detailled technical specifications on the Internet.

Obviously I don't have any idea if some agreements took place between LG Electronics & Apple but the LG model really seems to be the 1st cellphone using tactile display without use of any stylus. So the similarity of the design plus the input mode made the Apple iPhone & LG KE850 very similar.

Without agreements for sure Apple Inc. will certainly be sued by LGE.

Now, the question is: do they (Apple) do it (getting sued) on purpose in order to get a maximum visibility ?

A trial, ending with a "gentlemen agreement" may not be necessarily more expensive than any advertising campaign but presence on medias (blog, news, webzine, magazine, etc.) will be lots more efficient.

Any guess ?  

Source : Mobile Portal, Engadget