fring has released a new version of its self-named iPhone application, v3.0.0.4. The software merges access to multiple instant messaging platforms -- such as AIM, Skype, MSN and Twitter -- in a central location, with push notifications where possible. Contact status is displayed in real-time.
Cerulean has released an iPhone version of Trillian, its normally Windows-based instant messaging client. The app syncs with both web and desktop clients, and supports several different messaging networks, including AIM, ICQ, Google, Jabber, MSN and Yahoo. Users can correspondingly login with multiple accounts, and switch between chats via tabs.
Cerulean Studios has complained that a new Trillian instant messaging app, for the iPhone and iPod touch, has yet to be approved. The app was submitted over 60 days ago according to the company, but at last check is still winding its way through Apple evaluation. A steady stream of e-mails is said to have been sent, but met only with generic form letters, giving no indication on whether changes are needed or how much longer the company may expect to wait.
Nimbuzz has launched an update to its instant messaging and dialing app for the iPhone, as well as a new Mac version. With Nimbuzz 1.3 users receive photo, music and video sharing features, a re-designed buddy list layout, and push notification that provides alerts for incoming calls and chats. Also included in the new version is a location-sharing function, which displays whereabouts on a map.
Three key instant messaging apps for the iPhone and iPod touch have been updated to take advantage of background push notification. AIM is now at v3.0.1, and relying on push technology can inform users of messages even when using another app. The update also enables notifications through SMS, implements fixes bugs, and lets users stay logged in for up to 24 hours. The paid version adds landscape modes for the buddy list and conversation views.
An updated beta version of the Adium instant messaging client has been released, infusing a collection of important changes. Adium handles input from multiple platforms, including networks like AIM, MSN, Yahoo and Google. The v1.4 beta makes the critical addition of IRC, allowing for real-time group chat. By contrast the app has also gained support for Twitter, which can be used as indirect messaging.
The next version of Microsoft's Messenger for Mac will be an Intel-only application, a source tells MacNN. The latest beta builds of Messenger 8 are said to have dropped all references to PowerPC architecture, making the app unusable by even G5-based Mac desktops. Exact reasons are unknown, but Intel hardware may be necessary to exploit the app's audio and video chat capabilities.
An internal beta build of Microsoft's Messenger for Mac 8 has leaked online, according to reports. The early version of the instant messaging app is described as extremely unstable, crashing as often as four times in the space of 10 minutes of testing. It is also unable to permanently save settings, including even basic items such as user photos.
Palringo has announced Palringo Instant Messenger 1.2.4, an update to its app for the iPhone and iPod touch, which now allows users to see how far away their contacts are from them. The change can be found under the contact list section of the app, and makes it possible for users to see both the town and distance of users. The company notes that in a subsequent update, it will enable users to see the location of any Palringo contact on a map extending up to a six-mile radius.
Truphone (booth no. 3228) on Monday debuted the ability to make and receive Skype calls and instant messaging (IM) from its iPhone and iPod touch applications. Scheduled to be available to all customers during the week of January 12th, Truphone customers on both Apple devices can now reach their Skype friends via their Skype IDs. Separately, Truphone also announced today the availability of well-known instant-messaging services using the Truphone application on the iPod touch and the iPhone. The new features include full two-way instant messaging over MSN Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger and Google Talk on the iPod touch and on the iPhone (with the latter beginning next week) as well as support for Twitter in its TruFriends view so users can view posts and post directly from within the Truphone application.
BeeJive has announced an update to its instant messaging application for the iPhone and iPod touch, BeeJiveIM 2.0. Designed to work with IM networks such as AIM, MSN, Yahoo, Google Talk, MySpace, ICQ or Jabber, users have access to a variety of IM options while being able to manage their account and buddy list. Version 2.0 offers several new features, including image transfers between an iPhone and PC, address book linking, the ability to use default AIM or Yahoo sounds, and voice note functions now similar to those for sending images.
Casual users of Messenger for Mac should finally be able to engage in audio and video chats like their Windows counterparts, Microsoft has announced. Following the addition of AV chat for corporate users, Microsoft says it is now working on support for personal clients. Though the technology is currently associated with a beta of Windows Live Messenger, a matching beta of Messenger for Mac should see public release in 2009. A demo should be present at next month's Macworld conference.
AOL has released AIM for Mac 1.0, adding features from the PC version of its instant messaging service, as well as new abilities. AIM 1.0 also forms a part of the just-released AOL Desktop for Mac 1.5 update, which features improved parental controls. Available as a stand-alone application, AIM now includes expressions and one-click e-mail support, plus the previously PC-only file transfers, friendly names and tabbed IM conversations. Users can select buddy sounds, wallpapers and animated buddy icons, and finally take advantage of Apple's VoiceOver feature.
AOL has released the first public beta of a new AIM for Mac client, the first major update since February of 2004. In the new software, users have access to AIM Expressions, allowing them to customize their AIM sounds, wallpaper, emoticon set and Buddy Icon. AOL is also looking to implement some of the more popular features from other versions of AIM, such as file transfers, tabbed conversations, AIM Groups, and AIM Blast.
Adium, the multi-service instant messaging client for the Mac, has been upgraded to v1.3. The update is said to contain several important changes, including "major" performance improvements, noticeable when Adium is signed into multiple services simultaneously, or when apps with intense hard drive demands are running in the background. The client has also been given a redesigned Get Info window, now known as the Contact Inspector; it has a completely revised interface, and changes how combined contacts are displayed and managed.
BeeJive, creators of a popular Blackberry IM client, is in the process of creating a port for the iPhone. The Boy Genius Report, which has had access to the beta version, says that the IM client supports all the most popular IM protocols and does so in a "very clean interface." The company has also already added in background notification support so as soon as Apple starts that services BeeJive will be ready. The software is still in the beta stages and BGR is unsure of when it will move out of beta and into the App Store; the cost of the application is still unknown as well.
Palringo says that it has brought its self-named instant messaging client (iTunes link) to the iPhone. In contrast to apps such as AIM, Palringo is able to interact with several different IM platforms, including not just AIM but iChat, Yahoo, ICQ and Google Talk, as well as less common options such as Jabber and Gadu Gadu. Contacts from all networks are presented in a single list.
Early experience with the iPhone 2.0 firmware is cause for optimism, says analyst Shaw Wu of American Technology Research. Wu explains that like hosts of others, AmTech was able to download and install the v2.0 firmware in advance on Thursday, in turn enabling the installation of software from the iTunes App Store. Wu notes that over 500 applications were available for the App Store's debut, and that this number should eventually extend into the thousands.
Instant messaging can be a great way to communicate with friends and co-workers in real-time. While most Mac users rely on iChat, which comes with every Mac, many PC users rely on Windows Live Messenger (formerly called MSN Messenger). Not only does Live Messenger connect to Yahoo’s messaging network, it’s also the default network for Xbox 360 users. If you want to chat with users on any of the above networks, Microsoft's Messenger for Mac 7.01 might be of interest.
Microsoft on Thursday took the wraps off Microsoft Messenger 7.0.1 for Mac. Designed to offer improved compatibility with Office Communications Server 2007 for OS X, Microsoft also integrated a number of bug fixes. Version 7.0.1 sees a resolution to user interface issues when using European languages and also improved support for the 'VoiceOver' feature. Messenger still offers users with a 'Windows Live' account the ability to chat with family, friends or co-workers, and share files across the internet. Compatibility with Apple's Bonjour technology was also implemented, allowing improved connections to other users on the same local-area-network. Messenger 7.0.1, a Universal Binary, is free to download. System requirements for this latest version have been upped to Mac OS X 10.4.9 or later.
