When I was a boy, the only way of getting in touch with someone was to phone them up, write them a letter, or go to their house. These days though, there are countless different new ways to communicate thanks to email, instant messaging, VoIP, social networks, and the like.

This is great, but it does pose problems in that it's often difficult to work out the best way to reach someone. You might have separate buddy lists for Skype, Google Talk, Yahoo!, MSN, and Facebook, and constantly logging in, launching apps and finding your online pals can be a real chore. fring is designed to change all that, providing you with a single platform, based on your mobile, where all of your online friends are available in one place.

fring supports most of the major chat services including Skype, MSN Messenger, Google Talk, ICQ, Yahoo!, and AIM. You can also use the program to check Facebook updates, view Twitter feeds, and even listen to music with friends on Last.fm.

Smooth set-up

The application is simple to install and set up. Once you've registered for a fring account you can import your online contacts very easily. You just go to the 'Add-ons' section, click a service you want to access (e.g. Skype, Yahoo!) and sign in using your normal log-in for that account. The contacts are automatically pulled into fring and displayed in the main window, and you can quickly view who is online and who isn't.

Not only can you chat via instant messages but fring also lets you make cheap or free calls to your buddies via SkypeOut/SkypeIn. This means you can ring people from your phone's contacts locally or internationally, at vastly reduced rates. Of course, you'll need to be in a WiFi hotspot for this to be of any benefit but thankfully, fring comes with a tool for automatically logging you into your favorite hotspots.

Other functions

There are a few extra chat features of note within fring, such as file transfer and a history view. However, its functionality is still vastly inferior to what you'd expect from most of the chat services themselves. For instance, there are no emoticons, games, etc.

One great thing about the latest version of fring is that it now introduces video calling. This is only presently available on S60 3rd Edition Feature Pack 2 devices, but it's an excellent feature and very easy to use. You just click the Video call in the Call menu and you'll be able to teleconference with the person you're calling. Of course, you will only see them if they are running fring on a supported device, but it's great fun and the streaming quality is pretty smooth (although, obviously the quality depends on the phone you're using).

This latest version of fring integrates Facebook and Twitter 2.0 support. The Facebook feature permits you to do a lot of the things you can do on Facebook (send messages, browse statuses, view photos, etc.), via a condensed interface built into fring. Unfortunately, the Facebook section can be painfully slow at times. It's a shame too, that there's no integration with Facebook chat. It would've been nice to have your Facebook contacts who are online show up in your list of fring contacts.

Overall though, fring makes for a great way to manage all of your contacts on all of your networks from one, easy-to-use application.

Download fring 4.5.17 in Softonic

When I was a boy, the only way of getting in touch with someone was to phone them up, write them a letter, or go to their house. These days though, there are countless different new ways to communicate thanks to email, instant messaging, VoIP, social networks, and the like.

This is great, but it does pose problems in that it's often difficult to work out the best way to reach someone. You might have separate buddy lists for Skype, Google Talk, Yahoo!, MSN, and Facebook, and constantly logging in, launching apps and finding your online pals can be a real chore. fring is designed to change all that, providing you with a single platform, based on your mobile, where all of your online friends are available in one place.

fring supports most of the major chat services including Skype, MSN Messenger, Google Talk, ICQ, Yahoo!, and AIM. You can also use the program to check Facebook updates, view Twitter feeds, and even listen to music with friends on Last.fm.

Smooth set-up

The application is simple to install and set up. Once you've registered for a fring account you can import your online contacts very easily. You just go to the 'Add-ons' section, click a service you want to access (e.g. Skype, Yahoo!) and sign in using your normal log-in for that account. The contacts are automatically pulled into fring and displayed in the main window, and you can quickly view who is online and who isn't.

Not only can you chat via instant messages but fring also lets you make cheap or free calls to your buddies via SkypeOut/SkypeIn. This means you can ring people from your phone's contacts locally or internationally, at vastly reduced rates. Of course, you'll need to be in a WiFi hotspot for this to be of any benefit but thankfully, fring comes with a tool for automatically logging you into your favorite hotspots.

Other functions

There are a few extra chat features of note within fring, such as file transfer and a history view. However, its functionality is still vastly inferior to what you'd expect from most of the chat services themselves. For instance, there are no emoticons, games, etc.

One great thing about the latest version of fring is that it now introduces video calling. This is an excellent feature and very easy to use. You just click the Video call in the Call menu and you'll be able to teleconference with the person you're calling. Of course, you will only see them if they are running fring on a supported device, but it's great fun and the streaming quality is pretty smooth (although, obviously the quality depends on the phone you're using).

This latest version of fring integrates Facebook and Twitter 2.0 support. The Facebook feature permits you to do a lot of the things you can do on Facebook (send messages, browse statuses, view photos, etc.), via a condensed interface built into fring. Unfortunately, the Facebook section can be painfully slow at times. It's a shame too, that there's no integration with Facebook chat. It would've been nice to have your Facebook contacts who are online show up in your list of fring contacts.

Overall though, fring makes for a great way to manage all of your contacts on all of your networks from one, easy-to-use application.

Download fring 4.5.17 (S60 5th) in Softonic

Using the SipMobileVoip software you can make cheap calls to landlines and cellphones over WiFi or 3G. In order to use the program you first need to purchase credit from the developer's site, before downloading the application and logging in with the account details you set up.

At the time of writing, calls are priced at 2 cents (Euro) per minute to landlines and 3 cents (Euro) per minute to mobiles.

The user interface of the SipMobileVoip application is pretty ugly and is a long way off the likes of Skype or fring in this respect.

The SipMobileVoip user interface is very minimalistic and many key options are missing, such as the ability to join up and purchase credit through the app, or to check call prices. The program does display your current credit though, as well as a call history, and the ability to bring up your contact list and make a call to someone here.

Despite its ragged looks, SipMobileVoip functions very well as a VOIP client. We experienced no connection problems over 3G or WiFi, and in general the audio quality was very good.

SipMobileVoip is an ugly application, but it does allow you to make very cheap calls from your cell phone.

Download SipMobileVoip 4.11.0 in Softonic

This mobile version of Skype also lets you call phones with Skype credit, as well as allowing you to receive calls on your online number, send instant messages, share files, take part in group conversations, and more.

Nokia owners have had a long wait to see Skype available on the Symbian Series 60 platform. After watching in envy as the revolutionary VOIP app was released for Windows Mobiles and iPhone, then bundled with N97 phones as standard, S60 users can now enjoy the magic of being able to make free calls over their data connection.

Ease of use

Using Skype on your phone is dead easy. Once launched, the program gives you all sorts of warnings to notify you that it will be using your mobile Internet connection. Then it's just a case of signing in with your regular Skype account details to get started. Your contacts will all be imported and displayed in the main window, and you get the option to add these to your phonebook if you like. To call a person, just tap on their name and hit 'Call'. The call quality in our tests was excellent, and as long as your connection is stable you shouldn't experience any drop outs.

Once you've established a conversation, you can do the kind of things you would do with the desktop version of Skype. The IM feature is quick and easy, including a range of emoticons, copy and paste support, and the ability to add other people to the chat.

Skype keeps a record of all your text conversations, as well as logging your call history, voicemails, and files exchanged. You can view this information at any time just by clicking the 'History' button from the well-organized main menu.

Personalize your experience

There are a few settings you can tinker around with that help you personalize your Skype experience. For instance, you can choose to enable or disable the Mood message prompt, activate audio notifications, and show or hide phonebook contacts. There's even an option for forwarding calls to another number.

If you're expecting a fully-fledged version of Skype that has all the features of the PC or Mac version of the program then you'll be a little disappointed. There's no video conferencing or games, for example, and there are no tools for organizing your contacts into categories.

Overall though, this Beta release of Skype for S60 offers everything you'd expect from a mobile version of this great app - it's easy to use, it's fun, and it's free!

Download Skype 1.5 Series 60 (3rd Edition) in Softonic

Skype for Series 60 allows you to make free Skype-to-Skype calls using a 3G or WiFi connection. It also lets you call phones with Skype credit, as well as allowing you to receive calls on your online number, send instant messages, share files, take part in group conversations, and more.

Using Skype on your phone is dead easy. Once launched, the program gives you all sorts of warnings to notify you that it will be using your mobile Internet connection. Then it's just a case of signing in with your regular Skype account details to get started. Your contacts will all be imported and displayed in the main window, and you get the option to add these to your phonebook if you like. To call a person, just tap on their name and hit 'Call'. The call quality in our tests was excellent, and as long as your connection is stable you shouldn't experience any drop outs.

Once you've established a conversation, you can do the kind of things you would do with the desktop version of Skype. The IM feature is quick and easy, including a range of emoticons, copy and paste support, and the ability to add other people to the chat.

Skype keeps a record of all your text conversations, as well as logging your call history, voicemails, and files exchanged. You can view this information at any time just by clicking the 'History' button from the well-organized main menu.

There are a few settings you can tinker around with that help you personalize your Skype experience. For instance, you can choose to enable or disable the Mood message prompt, activate audio notifications, and show or hide phonebook contacts. There's even an option for forwarding calls to another number.

If you're expecting a fully-fledged version of Skype that has all the features of the PC or Mac version of the program then you'll be a little disappointed. There's no video conferencing or games, for example, and there are no tools for organizing your contacts into categories.

Overall though, Skype for S60 offers everything you'd expect from a mobile version of this great app - it's easy to use, it's fun, and it's free!

Download Skype 1.5 in Softonic

Benefits:

* Stay in touch with Skype contacts
* Call and commmunicate with anyone at a low cost
* Get rid of high long distance and international call charges
* Communicate securely
* One-Time Fee. Get all future updates for free

Features:

* Call Skype contacts on their PCs
* Call any landline or mobile phone
* Receive calls from Skype contacts
* Get full presence status support
* Exchange instant text messages with your Skype contacts
* Receive notifications of missed calls and new voicemail messages

Download IM+ Talk 3.0.6 S60 3rd in Softonic

How it works

Using Skype on your phone is very easy. Once launched, the program gives you all sorts of warnings to notify you that it will be using your mobile internet connection. Then it's just a case of signing in with your regular Skype account details to get started.

Your contacts will all be imported and displayed in the main window, and you get the option to add these to your phonebook if you like. To call a person, just tap on their name and hit 'Call'. The call quality in our tests was excellent, and as long as your connection is stable you shouldn't experience any drop outs.

Once you've established a conversation, you can do the kind of things you would do with the desktop version of Skype. The text chat feature is quick and easy, including a range of emoticons, copy and paste support, and the ability to add other people to the chat.

Advanced features of Skype

Skype keeps a record of all your text conversations, as well as logging your call history, voicemails and files exchanged. You can view this information at any time just by clicking the 'History' button from the well-organized main menu.

There are a few settings you can tinker around with that help you personalize your Skype experience. For instance, you can choose to enable or disable the Mood message prompt, activate audio notifications, and show or hide phonebook contacts. There's even an option for forwarding calls to another number.

If you're expecting a fully-fledged version of Skype that has all the features of the PC or Mac version of the program then you'll be a little disappointed. There's no video conferencing or games, for example, and there are no tools for organizing your contacts into categories.

Overall though, this Beta release of Skype for S60 offers everything you'd expect from a mobile version of this great app - it's easy to use, it's fun, and it's free!

Download Skype 0.9.0.0 Beta Series 60 (3rd Edition FP2) in Softonic

The free application facilitates instant messaging through a user environment that Live users will already be familiar with. Setting up Windows Live Messenger on your phone couldn't be easier. Simply install the app (which can take a while) then sign in using your Windows Live Mail credentials. The program will then automatically import your Contacts and Favorites, displaying these in expandable lists on the main screen.

All you need do to start chatting in Windows Live Messenger is tap on the name of the contact you want to speak to and a chat dialog will open. The app includes a few of the same chat functions as the desktop version, such as the ability to send files and photos, plus a tool that lets you record and attach voice notes to your messages. You also have the ability to store your conversations.

Free and easy

The clean, touch-friendly interface in this S60 5th Edition version of Windows Live Messenger makes it even easier to use than rival mobile IM apps such as Nimbuzz and Fring. It also boasts more Live features than these multi-network apps contain. On the downside though, it doesn't come with VoIP capabilities, so you won't be able to voice chat over WiFi, like you can with some of Windows Live Messenger's competitors (i.e. Skype).

On the whole, Windows Live Messenger is an incredibly simple-to-use instant messaging client that's worth installing for anyone who uses the MSN network all the time.

Download Windows Live Messenger 1.07 in Softonic

Skype is great for making free or cheaper calls from your computer. But what if you're out and about and want to speak to your Skype contacts on the move? Then you need iSkoot.

iSkoot is a free program that puts Skype on your mobile. As a result, you can make calls to people, chat via IM and even receive Skype calls to your mobile. You can also use iSkoot to make cheaper international calls using the SkypeOut service.

Setting up iSkoot is a painless procedure. You just need to select your model, download the installer and enter your Skype ID and password once the client is installed (you can create a new account if you need to). Your Skype contacts are automatically displayed and you can start calling right away by clicking on the name. Anyone familiar with Skype will be able to pick it up straight away, but there is a handy online help section if you need some assistance.

Call quality in iSkoot is generally excellent, and data connection speeds aren't really an issue, due to the way the system works. iSkoot basically connects you to a server which is in turn connected to the voice network via a regular mobile call. The only problem with this method is that it means you may get hit with long distance call charges, since you don't know what the number will be until the iSkoot server makes the call. The upshot of this is that if you're using your phone abroad you could end up racking up a large bill calling home as you will get hit with roaming charges. For making Skype calls in your own country though, the service is great as you bypass the need to pay call charges.

Provided you're only using it close to home, iSkoot offers a great way to chat cheaply on your mobile.

Download iSkoot 1.1 in Softonic

All calls from a Gizmo user to another Gizmo user are completely free, so if you use the service and like it, it might be worth trying to convince all your friends and family to get it too. Land and mobile rates from Gizmo to non-Gizmoers(?) are cheaper than normal. Check the website for full details. Plus there are lots of additional features that are quite nice, including multi-network chats with MSN friends, conference calling, and Meta-Voice which allows you to call friends on Yahoo Messenger, MSN and Google Talk for free. Also if you participate in the All Calls Free plan you can get a number of free minutes each month for mobiles and landlines. Some of these add-ons though felt a bit invasive to me, as though they wouldn't let me rest until I signed up for something that cost me money.

Alternative Skype-style cheap call provider, but do you want to change provider?

Download Gizmo VoIP (S60 3rd) in Softonic

Mobiola Microphone allows you to use your mobile like a wireless microphone with your PC. With Mobiola Microphone you can use your mobile to speak to friends through your PC via Messenger, Skype or Google Talk.

If like me you're always shouting into your PC because of a crackly or lost Skype connection then give Mobiola Microphone a go. It's a great idea and much more convenient being able to use your mobile rather than a rubbish plastic stick like I've got at home.

Download Mobiola Microphone 1.0 (S60 3rd) in Softonic