[review] Nimbuz, Fring, or Skype? - Android Apps and Games

HI all,
I'm wondering if anyone has opinion about which is better: Skype, Fring, or Nimbuz.
Here is my take on it.
About "Voice-Out" and quality of voice communication
I cannot really comment on Voice Out (phone > internet > regular phone) because I only used Skype Out and have never used the corresponding services with Fring and Nimbuz. Skype OUt is OK on the phone
I'm not sure about the quality of voice using Google Talk, Yahoo, MSN, etc on either Nimbuz or Fring. I don't have yahoo or MSN. I'm in China and my internet connect is never very good, even on the 3G networks. If anyone else has opinion about this, it would be cool to share.
Connectivity.
Well first of all, I need to have Skype on my phone because its sort of a standard on the desktop. But Skype does not connect to Google Talk or any other network. Skype only connects with Skype. Skype on Android DOES NOT have video calling. (booh!)
Fring connects to Google Talk VOICE, and I believe it also connects to MSN and Yahoo voice, ICQ, AIM. and SIP providers. But it does not have a desktop client, which is a problem. Fring does have video calling! BUT, only to other Fring client, making this feature pretty useless for me. If there was a desktop client, or it could use video chat with Google Talk network, this would be the winner, hands-down.
Nimbuz connects to Google Talk VOICE, and I believe it also connects to MSN and Yahoo voice, and ICQ. Does not have option to connect to SIP providers. It does connect to Facebook, Myspace, which is probably more usefull to more people (but not to me). But it does not have a desktop client, which is a problem. Does not have video calling.
About usability.
I really hate one thing about the Skype app ... its not clear how to turn it off. You have to go to the my-info tab and select log-off in the status menu. Otherwize, UI of the Skype application is good.
Nimbuz interface is pretty good and has a status bar notification when its on, although that notification unfortunately does not say if connected or not. It does show google profile pics.
Fring does not show profile pics unless the pics are on the phone. The interface is less tab-driven than Nimbuz or Skype...not sure that's a good thing (probably not), although the look and feel is a little more "friendly" IMHO.

Hi,
So no one has an opinion about which has better sound quality?

Related

IM logging?

Was just wondering what are the various IM clients out there? Currently I'm using MSN messenger, and tried cooking imov into the rom (but it didn't work...).
I currently leave my MSN messenger logged in, occassionally, messages would come in but I might have missed them. Answering an incoming call cuts off the GPRS connection, and all the open MSN chats close too - as a result, those messages are gone. =(
I'm actually looking for an instant messenger client (MSN and/or ICQ) that would allow me to log chats automatically. Recommendations anyone?
Imov is good but it doesn't work if it is part of a cooked ROM ... another better client is AgileMessenger [freeware] which has direct connection to the 4 IMs without the need for a Jabber server
I use agile, and it seems to be good. The only problem is as mentioned above is if you get a call you loose your gprs connection. Otherwise it seems to work good.
Dataphd said:
I use agile, and it seems to be good. The only problem is as mentioned above is if you get a call you loose your gprs connection. Otherwise it seems to work good.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe this is a limitation of GPRS rather than Agile. Been looking at it and it does look good - at least, unlike MSN messenger, unread messages don't get lost when the GRPS disconnects. I guess thats nice, but I'd really like something that would keep logs as well... hmm. The 'autostart' that MSN messenger has when an internet connection is detected is interesting too.
Any other popular IM clients out there?
Any other popular IM clients out there?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I prefer myJabber

Video call to IM buddies

Hi all,
I've been searching everywhere and have not found anything on this so just wondering if anyone knows if the following exists. I use MSN Messenger for IM and I was wondering if there is a client application for Pocket PCs that allows you to make a video call (using the front camera) to your buddies.
In general, are there ANY clients besides the MSN Messenger network (Yahoo? AIM?) for Pocket PCs that supports video calling using the front camera?
Thanks,
Jeff
Microsoft Portrait is the only one, there are quite a few posts regarding it on these forums, just use the search, and you will find them.
It's not close to being an IM client like MSN, Live Messenger, Yahoo, or anything like that though.

Messenger Sleep Mode

Hey,
I was wondering if there is an application that let's the windows live messenger connected in sleep mode. I tried searching the forums and found something about OZ messenger which had a push function?
Is there a way to get windows live messenger to have a 24/7 connection and push messages?
Thanks in advance.
Hi there,
After have tried various IM clients I would recomend Fring (FREE) and IM+ All-in-one(Non FREE).
On both you can log in simultaneously to Skype. Messenger, Yahoo, etc.
Fring also supports voice calls on skype + VOIP (SIP providers).
IM+ all-in-one does not support voice calls, but has push capabilities (very handy).
Both will keep your presence on 24/7.
I personaly only use Fring.
No HD2 version of fring? Can't find it on the website, isn't there a push addon for the windows live messenger since I like the interface?
Check this out:
http://www.seven.com/products.mobile_IM.html
Perhaps this is a nice feature, it seems to have push options.

skype

hey hi , if someone has skype for x10 can u pls post it here.
I also have been looking for this and have come to the conclusion that it is not available yet - there are apps which allow you to log on and text chat, but not voice chat I think.
Try Fring ..............
I am a bit confused, everywhere I here about skype someone advises to try Fring, is it possible to login to Fring with your Skype id and can you contact you skype contacts?
Since I found this I guess I have my answer:
July 2010- With version 3.2.0.5 on iPhone, Fring removes Skype integration, bringing to a halt the ability to video chat on iPhone with anything other than Apple's Facetime.
July 2010-13. Skype bans the integration of its application in Fring [50]
iggy said:
I am a bit confused, everywhere I here about skype someone advises to try Fring, is it possible to login to Fring with your Skype id and can you contact you skype contacts?
Since I found this I guess I have my answer:
July 2010- With version 3.2.0.5 on iPhone, Fring removes Skype integration, bringing to a halt the ability to video chat on iPhone with anything other than Apple's Facetime.
July 2010-13. Skype bans the integration of its application in Fring [50]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
People advicing Fring is because Fring can allow video calls between fring users.
It is not possible to login to Fring with your Skype id.
You cannot contact your skype contacts.
The only app that can let you connect skype is Nimbuzz ( I think), but it allow you to text only, not calls.
anguslaw said:
People advicing Fring is because Fring can allow video calls between fring users.
It is not possible to login to Fring with your Skype id.
You cannot contact your skype contacts.
The only app that can let you connect skype is Nimbuzz ( I think), but it allow you to text only, not calls.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've made calls to my skype contacts using Nimbuzz, just that the audio quality was terrible on their end. I could hear them clearly and they couldn't hear me.

Which is the best WP instant messaging app that combines multiple chat networks?

Hello, I am looking for an app that combines skype chat, facebook chat and maybe other networks in one single list. So far I've been using IM+, but it is veeery buggy and crashes all the time.
I've just installed Nimbuzz, but surpisingly it doesn't support Skype. Why is that, in the past it supported it?
Please help. Thanks.
I haven't had crash problems with IM+ at al, but it's definitely slow. Unfortunately, it was the option that suited my needs at the time, so I don't have a lot of other suggestions to make here.
With that said, Skype now supports forwarding IMs from Skype to a linked Windows Live account 9in fact, the two services are being fully combined, and the standalone Messenger client is being phased out). In a way, you could argue that WP7 already has a bit of built-in Skype integration therefore.
I think what'sapp is also a good app.......
GoodDayToDie said:
With that said, Skype now supports forwarding IMs from Skype to a linked Windows Live account 9in fact, the two services are being fully combined, and the standalone Messenger client is being phased out). In a way, you could argue that WP7 already has a bit of built-in Skype integration therefore.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How to link Skype account to Windows Live account?
Or should we link Windows Live account to Skype?
You can probably do it from the latest Skype client for the PC, or I know you can from the Skype app for Windows 8 / Windows RT (if you have something running Win8)

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