The iPhone 4 3G video calls fall out continues. Yesterday, Fring claimed Skype had blocked its app’s access to the Skype API. Now Skype has hit back claiming Fring misused its software and was damaging its brand. The upshot for users? No more iPhone 4 video calls from Fring to Skype. Here’s what Skype has got to say for itself…
After updating its iPhone app to add iPhone 4 video calls, Fring started the fisticuffs with Skype yesterday when it branded it cowardly and “afraid of open mobile communication”. Skype has struck back on its own blog and says: “Fring reported on their blog that we had blocked their access to Skype…this is untrue.”
Skype goes on to claim that Fring was using its software “in a way it wasn’t designed to be used…in breach of Skype’s API terms of use.” It claims it was in talks with Fring for some time over the issue but that its withdrawing support for iPhone 4 3G video calls on Friday was the final straw.
Skype says: “Fring made the decision to remove Skype functionality on its own.” However, that doesn’t mean Skype isn’t blocking Fring from reestablishing the connection. In fact, it’s pretty clear that it’s prepared to take pretty severe action against the app makers if it has to: “…developers that do not comply with our terms will be subject to legal enforcement.”
Skype won’t comment on its own iPhone 4 video calling plans but with Fring floored, we can only hope that it’ll get to work on its own solution. It could take some time though as the last Skype iPhone app update, which added 3G calls, was months in the making.
Let us know: are you frustrated that Fring can no longer play nicely with Skype? Are you happy with FaceTime or desperate to see Skype video calls on iPhone 4?
