The fring app for iPhone and iPad has been a popular platform for free voice calls, texting, and video chats (to other fring users) for a while now.
Today, with version 5.3.2.36, fring brings something new to the table: the ability to jump into a lively four-way video chat with total strangers, discuss your favorite topics, and even make new friends.
The new feature, called Playgrounds, allows you to join or create group video chats about your favorite subjects with any fring user. Just skim through the Playground, find a topic that you are interested in, and jump in. Or create your own Playground.
Either way, the idea is to video chat with other fring users sharing the same interests, regardless if you know each other or not. If person you are chatting with is not already your fring friend, you can add them from within the chat.
Creepy? Cool? Both?
The new version also delivers a iTunes-subscription calling service called fringOut, which offers unlimited worldwide calling to any phone number in 40 countries for $7 a month; fring to fring calls are remain free.
Learn more about fring on their website, or you can download fring for free from the Apple App Store.
Adrian covers daily news as well as the weekly Law & Apple column for MacLife.com. You can follow him on Twitter, if you want to.
