Big Day for CDMA: Sprint's First WiMax Phone & Verizon's SKYPE News

I'm generally not a big fan of the CDMA network because of its incompatibility with network outside of this country but two big news came out today suddenly changed the way I view these players.  The biggest news first: Sprint announced its first WiMAX smartphone powered by Android way ahead of others. In addition to the speediness of WiMax (for streaming media and all sorts of coolness), the actual device itself is super hot: Android 2.1, 4.3" screen, 8.1MP camera with FRONT-MOUNTED 1.3MP Camera (hello Skype Video via WiMax on the go!), WiFi, HDMI out and Qualcomm Snapdragon CPU.  I haven't felt this excited about a smartphone since the HTC Touch Pro and/or iPhone 3G.  This Android phone will kick some ass for  Sprint and I can't wait.

(Update: Wow, judging by Engadget's coverage and their user comments, I'm not the only one thinking this is a super-awesome phone, Sprint could have scored big this time around... question is, will this phone come out just before the whatever new iPhone is?)

Verizon on the other hand announced a partnership with Skype.  If I'm reading this article right, 9 devices spanning across different two mobile OS (Android, BlackBerry) will get Skype app and is going to be able to make VOIP calls over Verizon's 3G (EV-DO) network.  This is pretty bad-ass for you to make Handset-to-PC calls to stay connected with your international friends and family where ever you are in the U.S.  Your's truly once tried using Skype via Fring via Nokia N95-3 over ATT's 3G network at a local Starbucks and while I got it to work the result was choppy so I'm definitely interested in knowing how good this is going to be.

Kudos to both Sprint and Verizon on two excellent news that will sure improve their customer's total mobile experience!

Review: Fring Video Calls on iPhone 1st Gen.

Few weeks back, Fring made an exciting announcement of their ability to let iPhone users get 1-way video conference via SKYPE. I had been all too busy for the past month to do any test on it. I finally was able to spend some time with this feature and here is my feedback on using Fring Video on iPhone:

Fring installation and registration on iPhone is pretty easy; the login process is much better than back in the hay days when I was trying to use my Nokia N95-3 to make 3G network test calls. You basically choose a username, password and provide a valid email address and off you go. The app is smart enough to save the login and password so you don't have to re-login each time you use the app. The next step is to login to your Skype account within Fring. Fring also offers the bridge to login to other IM/VOIP services, check out their website for all the details.

After setting up, my first couple of video test calls using a MacBook Pro did not work, I would only get audio portion of the communication; on my MacBook Pro, the video button was grayed out and can't be gauged (LED off). Then magically, on the 3rd try, it just worked; I was able to see the videos coming through and audio pretty clearly. Speaking of audio, I did find a small bug where pressing the speaker icon did not toggle between headset and speaker output... not sure this is a common bug or just from this particular first generation "pwnd" iPhone. I plugged in a stereo headphones w/ mic and worked pretty good, in fact, this is probably how I'd recommend using if you are on the road. I placed several test calls afterwards, some went through while others got a bit choppy (it would delay the video transmission upwards of 1 minute or sometimes just not engage; at times calls would also be refused even though it was accepted). The buggy conditions are not consistent to be reproduced. Through my own surmise, I am guessing it may have something to do with having to go through Skype via Fring server? Although this is an unverified thought. While this mobile experience hasn't been perfected, I must award some much deserved credit to the folks at Fring for once again, pushing their technology envelope to bring this to your iPhone.

The concept of having video conference on the call WITHOUT having to pay a hefty fee to telecom operator is a sexy thought. Think about your next business trip and as you are waiting at an airport lounge or coffee shop and see your loved ones via WiFi network on your smartphone (of course, if it supports transmission via 3G network is even sexier). Currently Fring supports video conference on iPhone and Symbian S60 (2-ways!); its just a matter of time before Android gets picked up and I'm sure this puts pressure at Skype or even Google Talk to start supporting this feature in native form. Very cool indeed!

Review: Google Voice

There has been quite a bit of buzz lately about Google’s latest communication product, dubbed Google Voice. This handy little web application is obviously stirring up some emotions between Google, Apple and AT&T. It even got the attention of FCC to muddle the water. So what is Google Voice? For one, it is the evolution of a product once called Google Grand Central. I vaguely remember signing up to Google Grand Central account couple of years ago and shortly after it was closed to the public. After polishing Grand Central for some time, Google re-released it as Google Voice; again it’s limited to few beta invitees and legacy Grand Central enrollees only.

Google Voice’s main function is to be the hub of all your telephony needs. By assigning one new phone number to you, you can use Google Voice to manage all aspects of your communication needs (screening calls, block calls, call-forwarding, voicemail, SMS, visual voicemail, text transcript voicemail, cheap long distance dialing, conference calls and lots more). By creating a “Gmail” like UI, Google Voice opens up another dimension to the good ole’ phone number and allows you to be in full control of your calls with your keyboard and mouse. If you already have a well-organized Gmail account, the contacts/address book plugs in nicely as well.

The biggest convenience to Google Voice probably having one web-based application (for remote access) for all of your communications needs. Having a voicemail emailed via text to you can be really handy (for now, transcribing is English only, when I tested Spanish, Chinese and Japanese, it just made out some funny English terms). Having a screen to capture your voicemail and SMS is also handy. Setting up the account wasn’t difficult but it did take some time to make sense of it all. Once you have the account configured, things work pretty flawlessly. I tested some of its features like placing a call, VM, and SMS which all worked as promised.

Google Voice for Mobile
While Google Voice application for iPhone was mysteriously rejected by ___ (insert: AT&T or Apple), they have made a good effort in delivering a solid mobile experience to users. For starters, if you own an Android phone or BlackBerry, the good news is you have a native application to use which includes cool VOIP dialer functionality. For the rest of us (WM, Pre, iPhone folks), we can still access a mobile website at Google.com/voice/m and get majority of the functions. Stay tuned for followup blog entries on Google Voice for Android and BlackBerry phones.

fring VOIP/IM Hands On Review

I had an opportunity to take a field test for the fring IM/VOIP application on my Nokia N95 today. It proved itself useful in a situation where I needed my phone to step up beyond its basic capability and live up to its name as a smartphone. For the past couple of weeks, my wife and daughter have been visiting relatives in Asia. Giving that we have a 12-hour time difference, I usually communicate with them in the morning (8~10AM GMT -5 = 8~10PM GMT +7). I rushed out of the house this morning and drove from Manhattan to Jersey to do some research in a Barnes and Nobles. As soon as I got to the Lincoln tunnel, I realized I had not gotten a chance to sign on via Skype or Google Talk this morning to arrange for picking up my wife and daughter who’s coming back tomorrow night. This would be my last chance to speak with her because in 4 hours (which will be 4AM their time), they will be off to the airport and they are about to go to sleep soon.

I brought a small Lenovo X61 with me, but 1). I don’t like to sign on unknown wireless network for security reasons and 2). I don’t think there is even an unencrypted network available for me to use anyways. I remembered recently installing fring application so I figured I’d give its VOIP functionality a true test today. As soon as I signed on fring over AT&T’s 3.5G MediaNet, I saw my family on Google Talk. After a few messages via IM (which is painfully slow thanks to N95’s standard 12-key pad), I got an incoming VOIP call from my wife. The application has a unique ring tone which makes my phone sound like a normal incoming call to anyone standing nearby. After accepting the call, I proceeded to carry on a conversation. The call in the beginning was a bit choppy. I think fring requires 10-15 seconds to establish a solid connection. I noticed during certain times when there is a boost in connection, the sound quality is as clear as a land line. Occasionally you’ll notice the sound breaking up and you can never be certain if your voice to the recipient is clear or not… I just assume when I hear the incoming sound become choppy, my message to them would be as well. I placed a second test call to Taipei with my grandmother, and in this round the call was a bit more choppy to the point where it can’t be continued.

Overall, I am pleased with the outcome of my experience using fring as a VOIP software on my phone. It got the job done and allowed me to communicate with my loved ones when I am on the go. However, I would not recommend relying on this solution as a replacement to your desktop VOIP solution just because of its uncertainty (at least not over a data network). I was lucky enough to be able to connect via 3.5G data with full bars/signal; which may be the reason why the overall call quality is acceptable (at times). I would imagine if this call is performed over EDGE network, outcome would differ. I would love to hear your feedback, especially if you’ve experienced this call via EDGE or Verizon/Sprint’s blazing fast EV-DO connection.

Pros: Amazing portable solution which will get you the VOIP needed over data network. Its applications like this that will bring a revolution to the smartphone industry. The solutions is marvelous since it uses your handset just like a phone that is intended to be. While I was chatting on it, people just assumed I am taking a regular cellular phone call. VOIP over your unlimited data package means FREE long distance calls!!!

Cons: User name is limited to the one you used to register on fring at installation, there are no advanced settings on phone to change it (so people will recognize you). In the beginning the app was making all sorts of beeping and alarm sounds which is quite loud (a little embarrassing in public places); again, there are no settings to adjust beeping volume. One time my call was ended, turns out my phone screensaver kicked in which disrupted the data connection; not sure if this is a software flaw or my phone’s flaw and I can’t find a place to adjust this setting.