As a infrequent IM user I haven’t felt the need to install any Instant Messaging apps to my iPhone. I did try the AIM app so that I could log-in to my iChat account, but uninstalled it soon after knowing I’d rarely use it.

I heard about a free app called fring [link opens iTunes] for the iPhone/iPod touch last Friday, enabling you to make free calls to fellow fringsters or your Skype contacts over wi-fi. You can also access your buddies on MSN® Messenger, Google Talk™, ICQ, Twitter, Yahoo!™ and AIM® via fring. I downloaded it from the iTunes App Store and got it up and running in no time. I made a test call to a Skype contact via fring and the sound quality was great. One thing I have noticed is after adding a new contact on Skype (using the desktop client) it has not updated in fring on my iPhone to show this new buddy. Not quite sure why that is but hopefully it will be addressed in a future update. Not a bug afterall, it turned up in my Fring list today.

Here’s a video showing how fring works on the iPhone.

You may remember me writing a review for the Cyberphone W Mac handset for Skype some weeks back. Our time together was shortlived as unfortunately that piece of hardware started to give my iMac frequent Kernel Panics. It was uninstalled immediately. fring is going perfect for Skype VOIP calls for me now. Great logo too.