For 4 years we have led mobile communication innovation, most recently with video calling on any advanced Smartphone and network.

Now that fring expanded capacity to support the huge demand for video calling for all users, Skype has blocked us from doing so.

They are afraid of open mobile communication. Cowards.

Needless to say, we are very disappointed that Skype, who once championed the cause of openness is now trying to muzzle competition, even at the expense of its own users.

We’re sorry for the inconvenience Skype has caused you.

As always, fring will continue to provide our users with the best mobile internet communication experiences that you deserve, with or without Skype.

The new fring version with free video calls, calls, live chat is available on any advanced smartphone, over any mobile operator, over your preferred internet connection (3G, 4G, WiFi) from the fring website here and app stores.

Let freedom fring!

In a few hours time Netherlands takes on Spain in an epic battle to see who will be crowned World Cup Champions.

Getting to the finals of the World Cup Soccer has been been no easy task and much blood, sweat and tears have been seen in South Africa over the last few weeks. Who will it be on Sunday evening, Netherlands or Spain? Paul the “psychic” octopus seems to know, as the video below shows.

The question on everyone’s lips though, is Paul correct or is he seeing the results of the fring football contest currently taking place on the fring facebook group? Only time will tell.

The competition is starting to heat up with Italy, Spain and the UK clocking in a record number of “likes”. fringsters if you have not yet entered this contest, what are you waiting for? You only have a few days left to enter your fring-a-fied pictures to stand in line to win a Sexy Nokia N97 mini.

If editing pictures is not for you or if you are camera shy, then we have the solution. You can also blog or Tweet about the contest and you will also stand in line to win. So thats 3 ways to win in the fring football contest.

What are you waiting for, enter today. Click here for details of how to enter.

RT @fring Win a #Nokia #N97mini in the #fringFootballContest http://tinyurl.com/2uc5z27

With the new fring for iPhone you get lots of fring goodies including 2 way video-calling where you want and with whom you want!

• Face-to-face video calls with friends on their Droids, Nokia (Symbian S60) and other iPhones
• Video calls over 3G or Wi-Fi (Performance over 3G is subject to mobile operators’ 3G coverage & quality)

Use that fancy new front-facing camera for video calls from the beach or from the mountain top (on 3G or Wifi) to your friends on whatever mobile phone they have. So even if they don’t have an iPhone 4 yet, you can see their pretty faces.

So go ahead and video call Elizabeth on her Evo, Ivan on his iPhone, see Ned on his Nokia or Debra on her Droid.

Also, the latest fring for iOS4 on iPhone 3GS & 4 includes loads of improved features including:

• Multitasking so you can be always on and available with fring running in the background and alerting you to new video calls, voice calls or chat without proactively opening fring (just like on all other supported phones).

• New Social Stream: A chronological stream of all tweets, facebook updates, chats and calls, all in one place! Easy cross-community communication and simple sorting capabilities.

• A Smarter address book: simply manages your buddy list, merges contacts and more

Have fun and as always, feedback much appreciated!

The fringTEAM