eBuddy iPhone – Messaging for Everybody
In 2003 eBuddy was the first company to create a web browser-based instant messaging service. eBuddy allows you to chat via MSN, Yahoo, Google Talk, Myspace, Facebook, ICQ and AIM all from within one application. The iPhone application also includes push notifications for those who have an iPhone or iPod Touch running OS version 3.0. Being the iPhone app-0-holic that I am, I had to try it out.
First Impressions
The first time launching the application, you’re presented with a registration screen. You will need to have an eBuddy account in order to use the service. If you don’t already have one, registration is very simple from within the application. Once registered, you can then begin adding instant messaging accounts. I was able to add my Yahoo, Google Talk, Facebook and AIM accounts with no trouble at all.
Features
eBuddy is full of some truly great features. Being able to access all of your instant messaging services in one place automatically makes this one of my favorite instant messaging apps. It even supports multiple screen names on the same messaging service. Another detail I appreciate, even though it’s a rather small one, is the message notification chime. To me, the chime is far more pleasant than the default chime in AIM.
The biggest feature eBuddy touts is push notifications. When you exit the application, you can opt to receive push notifications when you receive a message on any one of your accounts. Sound and vibration are options that can be turned on or off via the app’s settings screen.
While push is the most appealing feature of eBuddy, it also leaves a few things to be desired. Push notifications from eBuddy notify you that you received a message and tell you from whom, but the message itself is not displayed in the notification. To read the message requires launching the eBuddy application. I also noticed that when receiving a push notification from a Facebook contact, a string of numbers shows up instead of the contact’s name. Having used the AIM iPhone application, I much prefer being able to see the message in the notification pop-up.
Another thing lacking in eBuddy’s push notification is that it only allows me to stay signed in for up to 30 minutes, after which push notifications stop. I would much prefer to stay logged in for at least 24 hours, if not permanently. A push notification is also sent to the iPhone when you are logged out of eBuddy after the time you’ve specified in the app’s settings. This notification seems unnecessary.
The only other feature that is noticeably lacking in eBuddy is landscape mode. I’m not sure how difficult it is to enable such a feature, but the application’s developer promises it will be coming soon. They also promise other free and frequent updates in the future.
Final Thoughts
Overall eBuddy is a very solid iPhone application. It’s one of the few iPhone applications that enable access to multiple instant messaging services in the same place. The most-notable application providing a similar service is BeejiveIM, priced at $9.99. With a well-designed, easy-to-use interface and a price that can’t be beat (free from the iTunes App Store), eBuddy is definitely an application worth downloading, and certainly worth keeping an eye on for future updates and enhancements.
Where can I see more eBuddy?
Site | iTunes | Twitter
Robb Major is an iPhone and Apple addict and all around technophile in Richmond, VA. He works as a graphic designer at Charles Ryan Associates to help fund his addiction. He can be found on Twitter and Facebook .
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I’ve got to say, I really like the eBuddy app, and I think that a few of the things you listed as negatives for the app, I’d actually consider pros, particularly with regards to the push notifications.
With regards to having to open the app to read a received message:
Well, that’s true, but at the same time why would you bother just reading the message and not replying? If I’m on instant messenger, it is rare that I would just abruptly decide to stop talking to someone. If this were a text message, it would be a problem, but since it is IM, usually used for more free-flowing conversation, I’d say 95% of the time you’re planning on opening the app up anyway. I do with that Facebook names were given for Facebook messages as opposed to just the numbers. Hopefully that’s one thing they can work on for the future.
And in regards to the 30-minute push notification time limit:
I like this a lot actually. Personally, I don’t always want to be accessible via IM for very long–particularly if I’m connected to Facebook where a much larger number of people could try to reach me. Plus, if I’m not in a situation where I can use my phone and people are trying to reach me, this might make them feel snubbed (which I try my best to avoid!). The 30-minute timer doesn’t start until you close the app, so as long as you are actively using it, you have nothing to worry about anyway. And of course, once you have signed out people can always contact you via text message or phone call if it’s important. Lastly, push notifications do have a slight effect on battery life, as they require a certain amount of dedicated connection bandwidth to continue receiving updates. If push notifications were enabled for 24 hours or even worse, indefinitely, you might be charging your phone a little more often (especially if multiple apps enabled push notifications for significant periods of time, simultaneously).
Anyway, just my thoughts. Great post, as usual!
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@alex I agree to an extent with the first point. Robb had mentioned in the post that he didn’t like it setup that way. I understand what you mean about having the app open when you are using IM most of the time. However I don’t use mine all the time and still have it online. It would be nice to see a little preview of what the message is. For example: we use AIM at work and someone may just be sending a note that says “IM me when you back from lunch”. That doesn’t need a direct reaction to launch the app but would be nice to know when I got it. Now changing facebook to names instead of number should’ve been launched from the get go. I don’t really understand how you are supposed to know who is who unless you memorize their number.
Push Notification limits:
I think that if it gave more options that would be great. If you wanted to set yours at 30mins you could and if someone else wanted to set theirs at 3 days they could. I think that depending on how you use your IM clients you may or may not want them signed on for an extended duration. It is basically like having the mobile version of AIM active. I do agree that there would be more charging involved if you had it active for 100% of the time.
Thanks for the comments! :)