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Meebo
As a longtime fan of Meebo, the browser-based, cross-platform instant-messaging service that requires no software and costs no money, I’ve been waiting forever for an iPhone companion.
The wait is over. Meebo for iPhone is here, and it’s perfect. I can’t envision myself wanting or using any other IM app.
Meebo supports all the major networks–AIM, Facebook, Google Talk, ICQ, Windows Live, Yahoo–and dozens more you’ve probably never heard of. (Batanga? Decayenne? Outspark? Guess I’m not as social as I thought I was.)
If you’re already a Meebo user, just sign in; the app immediately retrieves your account settings so you can start chatting immediately, no configuration required. If you’re not yet onboard, you can sign up for a free account from within the app.
Once you’re logged in, just scroll through your list of online buddies and tap one to initiate a chat. It’s equally easy to add buddies–and accounts. Indeed, the app couldn’t be much easier to use, as it has just three options along the bottom: Buddies, Chats, and Accounts. (To tweak the settings, you have to venture into the iPhone’s own Settings app, which is a bit of a hassle.)
Aside form simplicity, Meebo for iPhone has two notable features. First, it offers landscape typing, something you can’t get in certain other freebie IM apps (*cough* AIM *cough*).
Second, like its Web counterpart, the app lets you view–and search!–a complete chat history for each of your buddies. Awesome, awesome feature. I use it constantly–couldn’t live without it.
Meebo supports emoticons, multiple chats (swipe to switch between them), push notifications and embedded links (which open in an embedded browser–nice).
In other words, it’s as capable as most other IM apps, but it doesn’t cost a dime. That’s bad news for developers that charge a few bucks, but good news for you.
Is there an instant-messaging app you like better? One you think is worth paying for? Share your IM thoughts in the comments.
