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Beejive releases JiveTalk IM for iPhone alpha
It seems Beejive's JiveTalk for iPhone is the first IM client -- in alpha or otherwise -- to actually get out the gate for the iPhone. Featuring almost all flavors of IM -- including AIM, MSN, Yahoo!, GoogleTalk, ICQ, and Jabber -- you'll finally be able to message on the go and perhaps even forget that Apple really dropped the ball forgot to include iChat. The service costs nothing to use as all data wanders over WiFI or EDGE, so all you need do is point iPhone's Safari to iphone.beejive.com and get signed on. While these are still early days for web apps for the iPhone, we're expecting a storm of new releases in the coming weeks, so keep an eye on this space.[Thanks, MobileTelly]
Trillian Astra chat / IM software for iPhone
Those hankering to get your chat on with that shiny new iPhone now have an option other than waiting 'til who knows when for a (potential) Apple update -- if you're cool with alpha software invading your handset, that is. According to Cerulean Studios', the Trillian Astra application has actually been "designed for iPhone, it doesn't just happen to work with it." The result is a polished interface that is "compact" and fit to the screen, meaning that you won't be dragging and moving windows in order to hold a decent text-based conversation. Currently, the software updates your contact list and message windows, and enables the sending and receiving of messages so long as your browser window is open. Interested? Curb your enthusiasm a bit, sign up to be an alpha tester, and exercise your patience "for the next few weeks."[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Trillian Astra provides iPhone interface to IM
Chatterboxes of the world, unite! You have nothing to lose but your inability to IM from your iPhone. Cerulean Studios, maker of the popular Trillian multi-service IM client for Windows, is hard at work on the next version -- Trillian Astra, which in addition to being cross-platform will also include a full web interface to all of the social networking features present in the standalone app.A wee birdie (thanks Victor) pointed us to this post on the Trillian Astra dev blog, which shows an interesting version of the TA web access portal. Seems that the code monkeys are psyched to do a carefully-designed Trillian Astra portal that is tuned to Safari for iPhone's specs... nice. Go ahead and sign up as an alpha tester if you wish, and do tell them that you are an iPhone owner, but note that it will be a few weeks before the iPhone UI is ready for test.
FYI Xbox 360 TID named 'Chatpad' kthxbai
Hi followin da 360's spring upd8t and da console's new instant msging trix the use of a qwerty keyboard is all the mor necesary neccesssary rad! previously given a placeholder name of TID (4 txt input device), the upcoming txting peripheral is referred to as da "Chatpad" in da update's help doc. 2 find da txt, go 2 the marketplace bl8, select da "learn more" ad block, then select "More Details" and "Windows Live Messenger." cool hai?now wat about us dvorak users :p[Thanx, BAK6E]
Video walkthrough of Xbox 360 Spring Dashboard update
You know how it goes: pictures are fabulous, but videos are probably the next best thing to handling it yourself. In this case, a video walkthrough is about as close as you're going to get to May 7th whilst still chillin' in April, and considering you already know just about everything you can ever desire about the impending update and QWERTY thumboard, why not relearn it all again care of an "official" on-screen walkthrough? You know you can't resist, so be sure to hit the read link and pull up a chair, because you're going to get tired of standing after 25 or so minutes.[Thanks, Buck]
IM coming to Xbox 360, keyboard accessory this summer
Alright, so Gamespot's leakier than a colander full of swiss cheese, but now we've got the official details (from Microsoft this time) on what's included in the upcoming Xbox 360 Spring Dashboard update, due in one month beginning the week of May 7th. Integrating the 6 million Xbox Live users with the 260 million Windows Live Messenger users stands at the core of the upcoming update, allowing Xbox 360 users to communicate with up to six of their PC, Mac, or mobile phone bound friends at once.To aid gamers in their instant messaging, Microsoft is also preparing a keyboard accessory for the Xbox 360 controller, which will connect via the headphone jack. The un-named, un-priced, and un-dated device, which currently exists only in the pristine renderings contained in the gallery below, is reportedly due "this summer." In the interim, an on-screen or USB keyboard will do the trick.Also included in the Spring update: a new Achievement pop-up that displays the name and associated gamerscore value; a separate Xbox Live Marketplace blade to help organize the perpetually overcrowded service; the ability to begin watching incomplete video downloads; and a new auto-off function to put that system to sleep after it's done downloading. Oh, and Major Nelson's favorite new feature? Yup, the Dashboard will finally list what game is loaded in the disc tray. No more trial and error![Update: Xbox.com has been updated with a fairly repetitive list highlighting some additional features of the new update, including H.264 and MPEG-4 Part 2 video support (hrm?), WM-DRM streaming, the (now more informative) tray icon displays achievements and gamerscore for that game, and Xbox 1 games "show the name and image of the game."] Engadget has some additional details on the keyboard accessory, including the unfortunate news that the device prohibits the use of existing headsets and will come with its own.]%Gallery-2485%
Leaked Xbox 360 keyboard controller attachment, Voltron jealous
[Update: It's official. More information and higher resolution pics of the rendering here.]With Gamespot and other sites leaking details about the upcoming Dashboard updates to the 360, you've gotta wonder how text messaging between the 360 and Windows users will work. Typing out even the briefest of messages using the 360 Controller is a lesson in patience; it's easier to record and send a voice message than it is to hammer out "LOL WRU?" on that thing. Enter this Xbox 360 snap-on qwerty keyboard attachment -- conveniently also leaked (and now pulled) by Gamespot -- which will be available in the summer for an unknown price. Luckily Engadget snagged some shots before they disappeared into the ether. One more after the break.
Fire.app Closes Shop
After almost 8 years in production, the open-source instant messaging application Fire has come to an end. Pre-dating even iChat, Fire was the first multi-protocol client on the platform, and has long had a dedicated user base. The loss of multiple key members of the development team and a reliance on legacy frameworks which were no longer being updated caused key members of the development team to reconsider their future plans and cease active development. Fortunately for fans of the software, two of Fire's developers have joined the Adium team, and the two applications are already integrating features. Users switching from Fire to Adium can choose to have all of their contacts, logs, away messages, and groups transferred to the new software.
Big News: Adium Hits the Big 1.0
After 4 years of hard work by almost 30 volunteers, instant messaging application Adium has finally reached version 1.0. The most significant update to the program in over a year and a half, the update brings with it a slew of new features, bug fixes, and added functionality. I've been using the 1.0 since it hit beta on July 4th of last year, and it is truly a treat to interact with. As for the new features, here's the shortlist: Working Direct Connect and file transfer. Global user profile and buddy icon. Xtras manager. Completely overhauled interface and icons. Redesigned log viewer. Major privacy enhancements. Full changelog here. Adium is open-source and available as a free download.
Chatter Pillow, a glanceable and cuddly way to stay on IM
Some of the most popular items these days are internet-connected objects that contain glanceable information, such as the status of your inbox, the weather, or stock prices. Well, meet the latest addition to the family: the "Chatter Pillow." Designed by Rebecca Stern, an undergrad at the Parsons School of Design in New York, the Chatter Pillow is a midterm project for her "Making Wireless Toys" class. The pillow basically allows Stern to stay on IM from her bed or her couch, without the burden of a laptop -- one of the pillow's trio of icons will light up when one of three possible messages are received, so long as they're sent only from her boyfriend. If he sends "talk to me," "xo," or "on my way," then the icons (pictured) will glow blue accordingly. Now all we need is the cuddly lovechild of the Chumby and the Chatter Pillow for the ultimate in glanceable wireless cuteness gadgetry, and our geeked-out pad will be complete.[Via MAKE: Blog]
Adium 1.0 beta screenshots
I spend a lot of time in chat (I'm very popular) and sadly all of my friends and colleagues refuse to use the same IM protocol. That's why I eschew iChat and use Adium instead. One of the developers behind Adium gives us a peek at how the beta 1.0 release is shaping up. Before you ask, Adium 1.0 won't support voice/video chat which is just fine with me.This release looks very promising
How the PSP can overcome the PSP-inspired mylo
David Carony, executive editor at CNET, has a lot to say about Sony, the PSP, and their newly announced mylo. Sony's attempting to market the device at a whopping $350, which is ridiculous when many, if not all of its features can be implemented in the PSP, or a PSP redesign. With the right accessories and firmware upgrades, the PSP can do every thing the mylo can... plus it can play games. And at $199, it would be a bargain for the consumer. Here's a list of what Carony believes will make the PSP better: Skype support to make Internet (VoIP) calls (using the SOCOM headset). Support for Slingbox (a competitor of Location-Free TV). Sony could make some bling by not selling hardware, but selling a Slingbox application. Built-in IM applications, similar to mylo's support for Yahoo! and Google. Better e-mail integration. Keyboard accessory. Video output for TV. Stop making Connect so crappy. Where's the revamp? These are all great, plausible and reasonable upgrades that Sony can provide. If Sony actually took these suggestions to heart, I know a ton more college students and business people would pick up a PSP. Let's hope Sony has the brains to follow through on some of this.[Via PSP World]
Skype w/video leaked, will destroy your Mac
According to a Skype developer, an old and unstable version of Skype for Mac has been leaked onto file sharing networks across the globe. If you spot this file, do not download it! "It is an internal unstable development version, and thus it is extremely buggy" and "it will destroy your contacts and other data". We wouldn't want that now would we?Since the Windows version of Skype gained video conferencing support in March, many Mac user have felt left behind and stuck with the non-video capable version of Skype. Fortunately, this warning also comes with some good news; Skype version 2.0 for the Mac is nearly ready for primetime. The screenshot of a video capable of Skype on the left of this post is the tantalizing proof.So, try and resist the temptation to go searching for a pre-release version that could potentially destroy your Mac, and wait a little longer for the official version. Remember what happened the last time someone bit the Apple?
Yahoo Messenger 3.0b1
Apparently, a lot of our readers are Yahoo Messenger users. A good dozen of you or so sent us this tip that Yahoo Messenger 3.0b1 has been released. I've just taken it for a spin and my early impression is that Yahoo seems to have hired some great developers. This is a really nice application with a great Tiger/Leopard iChat-like interface, cross-platform webcam support, integration with other Yahoo services, chat conferencing, and file transfers. The website says that the ability to chat with MSN Messenger/Microsoft Live users will be coming soon as well. Oh, and it's a universal binary.Thanks to everyone who sent this in.
The Availabot hates your mommy
This Availabot prototype, as the name implies, is a presence aware, instant messaging buddy-bot whose physical demeanor is meant to communicate the status of your little Internet friends. The Availabot stands erect when your buddy comes online and then drops to the table in a flaccid heap of despair when s/he goes away. The idea here, of course, is to show status in a "fun" and "physical" way. But unlike the cutsie wutsie Nabaztag, the Availabot can be made to look just like you and your creepy friend(s). Just think, a mini community of angry, exercising Sim dwarves guaranteed to haunt you in your dreams. Great.[Via Pasta & Vinegar]
Microsoft demos SideShow-enabled products at WinHEC
Microsoft seems to have big plans for their SideShow auxiliary display technology -- besides the laptop and remote control implementations we've been expecting, they're also using the software for products that we didn't even know we needed, such as digital photo frames that overlay the picture with IMs and Outlook data. The frame, which is being manufactured by a company called A Living Picture, was one of three devices that Microsoft's senior project manager for Windows Client Greg Graceffo showed off at today's Windows Hardware Engineering Conference (WinHEC), along with a modified Logitech G15 gaming keyboard and a universal remote from Exceptional Innovations. EI's remote, which will launch at the same time as Vista (whenever that is), looks particularly promising, as it allows the user to view program guides, RSS feeds, and other infoswag on the same gadget that can control both home theater equipment and home automation devices. As for the keyboard, well, keep reading if you're interested in seeing what an Outlook appointment looks like on a three-line LCD...
Nokia surprises, unveils Internet Tablet 2006 OS for 770
So instead of revealing that upgraded version of the 770 Internet Tablet as we expected them to today, Nokia flipped the script on us and announced that the Google Talk and keyboard features we had been anticipating will actually be coming in the form of a software upgrade. The good news is that these new features -- part of the company's so-called Internet Tablet 2006 OS -- will be available to current 770 owners through a simple update, although those folks who were expecting a hardware QWERTY option (and not just an on-screen "thumb board") are certainly going to be disappointed. On the plus side, the new OS will support SIP-based VoIP solutions, with Nokia specifically mentioning that a version of the Gizmo Project client is forthcoming. IT2006 will become the default operating system on 770 units, and will be available as a free download to existing 770 users, beginning sometime this quarter.
Saki teams up with INgrooves to create "wireless digital music community"
Saki Mobile, the kinda-sorta MVNO that also distributes its content through a Windows Mobile application, has teamed up with independent "digital record label" INgrooves to offer users what they're calling a "wireless digital music community." INgroove, which represents such artists as Nappy Roots and Thievery Corporation, will offer their musicians' songs, bios, pictures, ringtones, etc., etc., along with supposed "direct access" to the bands themselves through a messaging service. Furthermore, subscribers can communicate amongst one another using Saki's IM client, chatting and sending around concert info and band updates, along with all the great swag that they've downloaded. [Via Moco News]
Xfire joins MTV family [UPDATE 1]
Combining instant messaging with games seems to be a magic formula for Xfire. The popularity of the program hasn't gone unnoticed, and today Viacom -- which operates the MTV brand -- announced the acquisition of Xfire, Inc for $102m. Not bad for a company with a free product and "no desire" to advertise. Xfire joins Viacom's other gaming assets Neopets and GameTrailers, both of which continue the "gaming community" theme, which means we can guess at MTV's plans for the future. They want gamers, whole communities of 'em, to extend their reach to those disaffected generations who shun the TV for games. Either that, or they've a nefarious plan that involves an evil robot gamer clone army -- you decide.[Update 1 - fixed typo, thanks SeNiLe]
Ask TUAW: What's your favorite multi-network IM client?
TUAW reader varun submitted a good question for an Ask TUAW session on the topic of multi-network chat clients. varun has tried out the likes of Fire, Adium and Proteus, but hasn't come up with a compelling reason to use one over the other. I thought this would be a nice opportunity to ask you readers to sound off on which multi-network IM client you prefer, and why. When commenting, be sure to mention how the client fits into your workflow, what you like about it and why. The more clients you can bring to the table above and beyond the ones already mentioned, the better.So what say you, TUAW readers? What is your favorite multi-network IM client, and why?
