Fring brings free video calls to the iPhone

Mobile workers could benefit from a new application that allows free video calls on both the iPhone and iPod touch.

Fring, which specialises in applications that let users communicate and share web-based experiences from mobile devices, believes it is the first video-over-internet service for the handsets.

The video feature is embedded within the Fring application and enables free voice calls to other Fring, Skype and GTalk users, as well as those on regular phone lines via Skype-Out and other SIP services through any Wi-Fi connection, the firm said.

"The business benefits are endless, from reporting back to the office, showing products via live camera, delivering real-time events live, and conducting a conference call between two branches," said a Fring spokesman.

"Hopefully enough demand for this feature will convince Apple to provide its future devices with a front-end camera."

The new version is now available for iPhone and iPod touch OS 3.0, but only for incoming video streams, and on selected Nokia Symbian S60 devices, which can host two-way video streaming.

The software is free to download and use, and could provide a welcome boost for IT administrators looking to manage mobile costs more tightly in 2010.