Analysis P2P VoIP network Skype and client developer Fring have engaged in an epic slanging match after Fring's implementation of mobile-data video calling on the iPhone appeared to result in its ousting from Skype. At present Apple's own software only allows video calling on the iPhone 4 - the first iPhone to feature a user-facing cam - via the phone's Wi-Fi connection to another iPhone 4. This generally ensures decent call quality; it also placates the mobile networks, who are already struggling to deal with the surge in mobe-data demand precipitated by Apple phones (and to a lesser extent, other smartphones). Fring's app allows video calling between most smartphones over 3G mobile links as well. However, Fring makes use of other VoIP and IM networks - in particular, of Skype - to actually let its users get in touch with each other, rather as some apps will integrate different IM networks.

Skype on Wednesday announced that it had added multitasking and improved call quality on its iPhone app. Taking advantage of iOS 4's ability to selectively multitask, Skype's app can now receive calls while working with another app or while on the home screen. Users potentially can also switch from Skype to another app while on a phone call.
The app update also includes graphics that take full advantage of the iPhone 4's retina display and says it "allows you to make calls with high quality sound." No further details are given about either one of these two attributes, but they are welcome. Skype also announced that it no longer had plans to charge extra for making calls over 3G. We previously reported that Skype had planned to charge for calls made over 3G sometime in the future. It's possible they received enough negative response from the announcement to change their plans. We recently reviewed Skype for iOS and awarded it 3.5 stars. Two of the major drawbacks Contributing Editor Jamie Lendino had with the app were no background calling and the premise of paying for 3G calls in the future. Since both of these issues are addressed with the latest update

Skype has proposed the launch of an advanced version of the iPhone and the iPod Touch app.
It is stated that the latest version of the app and permits Skype users to offer calls for in the same old manner. The best part of this inclusion comes in the form of multitasking ability. Via Skype running at the back one can run several other tasks on the same go. In addition to this the app comes with a higher resolution of the new Retina Display. Skype has claimed of dropping any plans that are in relation with 3G, a decision that has been well supported by most Skype users. One who have an iOS 4 on an iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, or a third-generation iPod touch, can avail the latest version of Skype app from the App Store and also can avail the app with a low price offer.

On Monday, the U.S Copyright Office ruled that jailbreaking an iPhone or other mobile device will no longer violate federal copyright law. Some iPhone owners no doubt cheered the news, and I join them in supporting the decision. "Jailbreak" entered the wireless lexicon soon after the iPhone first went on sale in 2007. Though some CNET readers have asked me if jailbreaking is the same as unlocking a handset, it's actually a different process. When you jailbreak an iPhone, you remove the Apple-imposed restrictions that prevent you from loading applications not sold through the iTunes App Store. Unlocking, on the other hand, only removes the restrictions that tie your iPhone to AT&T. So on the same phone, you can perform just one action or, if you prefer, both. I welcome the decision because I've always advocated for giving customers as many choices as possible. Yes, I understand that jailbreaking carriers some risks--you void your warranty and you could wind up with a bricked phone if you're not careful--but those risks, rather than breaking the law, should be the only consequences that consumers should face.

Here’s some good news for iPhone 3G S users out there who want to upgrade iOS 4.0.1 but want to keep the jailbreak status of their Apple mobile phone. A PwnageTool bundle to jailbreak iOS 4.0.1 on the iPhone 3G S has just been released albeit being limited to versions running on the old bootrom. It’s also a bit more technical than the usual PwnageTool jailbreak from the iPhone Dev Team. On a good note, however, it does support both hacktivation and ultrasn0w which means you can easily unlock it once its jailbroken. To download this iOS 4.0.1 jailbreak PwnageTool bundle for the iPhone 3G S, just click the appropriate link after the break at the end of this post. There’s also a link there for the full instructions on how to go about it. iPhone 3G users, for their part, can use redsn0w 09.5b5-5 to jailbreak iOS 4.0.1. If you’re a bit overwhelmed with this PwnageTool bundle and want something easier to use or you have an iPhone 3G S with the new bootrom, you can keep an eye out for the new Spirit iOS 4 jailbreak from comex, Snowbreeze v2.0 or the new PwageTool from the iPhone Dev Team.

Apple probably isn't going to be too happy about this, but it turns out that Handy Light, a new flashlight app that was approved for the App Store, has an unofficial SOCKS proxy tethering feature built in, which allows this simple flashlight app to offer tethering on your iPhone. The app's description doesn't mention anything about such a feature, but a video has been posted online to show how it works. Handy Light was priced at $0.99 on the App Store before the plug was pulled (for obvious reasons). While Apple allows developers to include hidden features (dubbed Easter eggs), they must be declared when apps are submitted for approval, so it can be safely assumed that this feature wasn't mentioned. Handy Light actually managed to reach the #2 position in the top paid apps listings before it was pulled. Check out a video of it in action after the jump.

Handy Light from Nick Lee made an appearance on Apple’s App Store, albeit briefly, on Tuesday. The app was a simple flashlight for the iPhone that also happend to enable tethering over Wi-Fi without requiring an add-on plan from your cell service provider. Handy Light sales took off quickly once iPhone users realized it contained a tethering easter egg, but Apple pulled it from the App Store after only a few hours of availability. Tethering is the process of sharing your iPhone’s wireless data connection with other devices such as laptops or desktop computers. Unlike the iPhone’s official tethering feature, however, Handy Light shared the 3G connection via Wi-Fi instead of USB. The app also worked around the fees that cell service providers charge for tethering. AT&T, for example, charges iPhone users an additional US$20 for tethering on top of the $25 2GB per month data plan. Sales of Handy Light at $0.99 were brisk up until Apple yanked it from the App Store. With the app gone, Mr. Lee has a little notoriety, and buyers have a tethering app for their iPhone that also happens to work as a flashlight.

The rumors of Verizon iPhone, T-Mobile iPhone and Sprint iPhone are not going away any time soon as new report claimed that iPhone on T-Mobile Network is coming in September. the report claimed that it is now 80% confirmed that Apple and T-Mobile will seal the deal of releasing T-Mobile iPhone this year. Unofficial sources has also confirmed that Verizon iPhone will be released for the shopping season of 2010. Release of iPhone for T-Mobile makes sense to many experts as iPhone 4 is already almost compatible to T-Mobile network. California based Mac Maker will only have to do very minor configuration changes to iPhone for its launch on the fourth largest wireless carrier of the United States. iPhone 4 is based on GSM network which is compatible with T-Mobile and AT&T network. On the other hand, Verizon and Sprint use CDMA technology which is completely different from one used by iPhone. Wall Street Journal reported before iPhone 4 launch that Apple is working on Verizon iPhone. Other media outlets including Bloomberg and TheStreet.com has also reported about the release of iPhone for Verizon.