eBuddy Messenger lets you chat simultaneously on the most popular instant messaging platforms, all from a single Android app.
- Size: 1.80MB (apps2SD enabled)
- Category: Communication
- Price: Free
To start with eBuddy Messenger you’ll have to create an account which is rather painless (username, password, email). Next, add any and all of the instant messaging accounts you’d like to have synced to the Android app, found under the “Accounts” tab. The list includes the most popular platforms out there, including MSN, Yahoo, AIM, GTalk, MySpace, ICQ, Hyves, and Facebook.
Now when you hit the “Buddies” tab, you should see an updated list of Online and Offline contacts from all of the platforms you’ve added. The buddy list interface is simplistic yet sufficiently informative. You can instantly see whether someone is available or away, what messaging program they are logged in to, and their image/icon.
In the “Chats” tab, you’ll find an interface very similar to what you get with the standard Android text messaging app. A list is displayed containing all current conversations. Selecting one chat displays messages from the other person in bubbles on the left of the screen and your responses on the right. Since instant messaging is all about rapid-fire responses, managing multiple conversations is essential (and we all know people who get upset if replies are delayed). S0, an extremely convenient feature lets you switch from one conversation to the other by swiping your finger left/right. The small blue dots above the text input box assist in this navigation.
When activated, this Android app does run in the background in order to receive new messages, which means you will see some additional battery drain with extensive use (although the app does do a good job in managing resources). Note: battery use is reduced for Android device’s running Android 2.2+ because of improvements to Google’s push functionality.
Pros:
- All-in-one IM Android app supporting AIM, Gtalk, Facebook, etc.
- One unified buddy list
- Chat interface is easy to navigate, swipe through conversations
- Instant messages are sent as data, not text messages
Areas for improvement:
- Design enhancements to the overall look and feel of the app
Conclusion: One of the best IM Android apps currently available because of its support of the most popular messaging platforms and its minimalistic, functional interface.
