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A functional Skype client for the iPhone has been a long time coming but lo-and-behold, the application fring was released today. And while it still in very early stages of development (it’s actually referred to as a “pre-release version”), what I’ve seen so far is extremely impressive in that it’s not just a Skype (and SIP) client, it’s a fully-fledged IM application also supporting a wide range of chat protocols out there such as ICQ, MSN, Google Talk, Yahoo, AIM and Twitter.

But there are a few flaws in an otherwise fantastic application:

• Skype voice calls are only supported over WiFi (and not over EDGE).
• Apparently, Skype calls can only be made from fring - Skype on a PC / Mac. You cannot ring between iPhones running individual versions of the fring application.
• There are reports that SkypeOut calls will only work on firmware v1.1.4.

Below is a video of it in action:

Have been playing around with it for a while now and it really is quite impressive. Few bits of work needed but if you want all your IM needs in one application, keep this at your finger-tips on your SpringBoard. And keep an eye out for updates.

And of course, how to get it (you’ll need a jailbroken iPhone of course):

• Add http://fring.com/iphone.xml to your sources in Installer
• Refresh and it should be there under the ‘fring‘ category.

Enjoy!

Sorry for the lack and updates and yada-yada-yada…

I was thinking of something worthwhile to update the blog with, and what’s more worthwhile than some new material from Death Cab For Cutie. Without doubt, one of the finest and most consistently brilliant bands in recent years with both ‘Transatlanticism’ and ‘Plans’ launching the band from relative unknowns into… well, lesser unknowns.

On Saturday, the first single from their new album ‘Narrow Stairs’ (released on May 16th) had it’s video premiere on their official site. The song is 8 and a half minutes of sheer bliss, although there is a radio edit which runs at about 4 (mainly due to the lack of vocals for 4 minutes in the album version). For those of you who can’t pinpoint where you’ve heard it before, the bassline is the same as the one playing alongside the video teaser for the new album on the official site.

The new album is definitely one of my most anticipated of 2008.. and I really doubt it’ll disappoint judging by their last two album. Oh.. and by the way, the image heading this blog-post is the official cover for the new album.

Anyways, enough waffle.. here’s the full un-edited video in it’s 8 and a half minute glory - enjoy!