Fring (sic) today released, Fring version 4.10 that brings new Twitter client making it easier for users to post their tweets, re-tweet and follow friends, from wherever they are. Beside the brand-new look, Twitter 2.0 allows you to see full tweets and links on one screen & easily navigate between them.

Now it is also possible to change your status so you can now let your friends know if you are online, offline, busy, or just stay invisible if you don’t want to be disturbed; all in the click of a button. There are also some DTMF improvements so now dialing “#” (“pound”) and “*” sign (“star”) is possible to use within a call through the new fring dialer.

This version is the first, consumer ready, implementation of Skype video calls on a mobile phone. You can both place and receive Skype video calls from other users (including other fring users). It is an extremely impressive technology implementation and a good example of what is possible with the Symbian platform. Read on for more.

Video-calling has been much hyped over the years, notably during 3G spectrum auctions, but it does retain some practical applications. Skype video calls are popular for their cost (free) and are frequently used by geographically separated families (e.g. on business trips). As such, given their respective popularity, fring's implementation of Skype video calling on mobile is, at least for some users, arguably more useful than operator/cellular enabled video calling.

As you would expect of a mobile to mobile video call, the video is relatively low quality (similar to that of a cellular/operator based video call for me). A mobile to desktop Skype call gives slightly better video quality, although this may be partly due to the quality of the web camera at the other end of the call (multi-megapixel as opposed to VGA resolution).

Fring already provides a comprehensive set of voice and instant messaging communication options across a range of bearers and services (Skype Google Talk, MSN/Live, ICQ, SIP, Yahoo, AIM, Twitter and Facebook). Skype video calling is treated as an additional communication options, which can be chosen when you select a fring contact to call.

WARNING: When NOT to fring video-

* When picking up a call from the toilet
* While cheating on your boyfriend
* While at the beach after you called in sick this morning

Changelog: V 4.01(12) – 21/01/2010

New GUI for twitter (9.4 only)
Links in chat (9.4 only)
DTMF
Change status (offline, online, busy, invisible)
Log out
Password retrieval
New GUI for add-ons screen (9.4 only)