People talk. A lot. If modern tech has proven anything, it’s that we have an insatiable need to connect. This drives the creation of gadgets and programs designed to facilitate chat. From cell phones to laptops, virtually every device manufactured today houses myriad communication functions. Even the music player evolved. The Walkman’s spiritual successor, the iPod, transformed into an internet-ready networking device with the iPhone and iPod Touch.
But how easy is it to actually correspond with the people in your life? In a multitasking world, holding multiple email accounts and updating profiles on several social networking websites is the norm. Organizing all these social contacts gets confusing. Fast. That’s where eBuddy comes in.
Founded in Amsterdam in 2003 by Jan-Joost Rueb and Onno Bakker, the service launched as e-Messenger. They changed the name to eBuddy in 2006. It started as “the world’s first, independent, web browser-based instant messaging service.” Today, eBuddy provides free chat to an average of 18 million unique visitors each month.
How eBuddy Consolidates Your Contacts
eBuddy works with AOL Instant Messenger (AIM), MSN, Yahoo, ICQ, and Google Talk (GTalk). It also integrates with MySpace and Facebook. Users with multiple contact lists can consolidate them all into eBuddy’s service. For users, this removes the hassle of navigating through multiple windows and programs just to maintain a conversation.
The average eBuddy user has more than 200 different contacts. It’s easy to see why the service has become so popular. You don’t need to switch tabs every time someone messages you.
Mobile Access and Lite Versions
eBuddy’s free chat service isn’t tied exclusively to computers. In June 2007, the company launched its mobile chat service, eBuddy Mobile Messenger. Providing the same basic services as the Web version, Mobile Messenger consolidates multiple contact lists into a single program for cell phones and other mobile devices.
What about gadgets that can’t access Mobile Messenger? Like iPhones and older-model cell phones. eBuddy has a separate program called Lite Messenger.
Lite Messenger lacks several of the features present in the other versions of eBuddy. But it’s compatible with almost any machine that connects to the Internet. This includes the Nintendo DS and Sony PSP. Yes, now it’s possible to IM in between bouts of gaming on the go.
Getting Started Without an Account
Getting started with eBuddy is quick and easy. If you want to forgo setting up an account and start using the service immediately, all you need to do is go to eBuddy’s home page. There, you will see a box in the center of the screen with the logos of eBuddy’s compatible profiles. MySpace. Facebook. AIM. MSN. GTalk. ICQ. Yahoo.
Simply sign in to the account you are interested in using. A few seconds (and an advertisement) later, eBuddy will have assimilated your contacts. Of course, you have to repeat these steps for each additional profile you want to use. Even though the login time is relatively brief, you’ll need a few extra minutes if you want to link up contacts from multiple accounts.
Getting started with eBuddy is quick and easy… simply sign in to the account you are interested in using.
Creating an eBuddy ID
If you don’t want to sign in to multiple profiles every time you log in to chat, you’ll probably want to set up an eBuddy ID. Establishing your account is straightforward. It doesn’t take much more time than signing in to several accounts individually. It’s also a one-time only process. If you plan on using eBuddy again, all you have to do is enter a password. All your contacts will be waiting.
Click on the “eBuddy ID” link at the top of the homepage to get started.
Mobile Setup and Limitations
Setting up an account with eBuddy Mobile Messenger on your BlackBerry, PDA, or cell phone is slightly more complicated. You must download a small application before you can use the service. Like everything else on eBuddy, it’s free and relatively small. Less than a megabyte. But it does take up precious space on your device’s hard drive.
What’s more, it’s only available on a select number of devices. Luckily, the Lite Messenger service works for many of the devices excluded from Messenger. Like the iPhone. It doesn’t require a download.
However, many of the features present in regular eBuddy and Mobile Messenger are missing. Avatar customization. The ability to send pictures. It can be frustrating for those accustomed to the full service.
Once you’re set up, using eBuddy is easy. Anyone familiar with managing contacts and instant messages shouldn’t have any problems. Options, contacts, and text boxes are clearly laid out and easy to see. Regardless of the version you’re using.
The eBuddy Phenomenon
eBuddy Mobile may not support every device out there, but it has turned out to be quite a phenomenon. As of May 2009, GetJar, the world’s leading mobile application e-store, has seen the program downloaded from their site over 13 million times. In fact, eBuddy Mobile was downloaded from GetJar more than 425,000 times in the week ending May 2, 2009.
These impressive numbers don’t include the numbers from eBuddy’s own Web site or any other site that offers it.
Benefits of eBuddy
The Dutch company behind eBuddy didn’t just stumble into the lead for the most successful independent web and mobile instant messaging provider. They built it on three pillars: it’s free, it runs on almost anything, and it doesn’t ask for a download.
Nearly every device with an internet connection can run some version of the software. For computers and older mobile devices, all you need is Java capability. If you have a mobile device that supports xHTML or Wireless Application Protocol—which is virtually all of them—you can use either Mobile Messenger or Lite Messenger.
That accessibility is why it remains popular with chat junkies across the globe. The service is available in 37 different languages. That covers everything from Standard English to Brazilian Portuguese, with more languages scheduled for addition later.
How eBuddy Works on Different Devices
No one who uses instant messaging should have any difficulty using this tool. The standard features found on most chat programs are present and easy to use. You can add and group contacts. You can change the color and style of your font. Quick access to emoticons is built right in.
If you’re on a computer and have a webcam handy, you can even video chat.
The software is also useful for those who like breaking the rules. If you feel like spending company time chatting with friends instead of working, you’re covered. The program evades most firewalls simply because there’s nothing to download.
As long as your IT administrator hasn’t blocked the eBuddy Web site—and your boss doesn’t catch you—you shouldn’t run into any problems. It’s a simple web-based solution for bypassing restrictive corporate networks.
The Cost of “Free” Access
There are definite downsides to using the service. You can’t do anything on the platform without having to sit through an advertisement first. It’s a trade-off for the zero cost.
In addition, if you spend a lot of time using it on a cell phone, the free service can quickly turn into an expensive pastime. Your mobile carrier will charge you for your Internet usage. It’s not the app’s fault, but it is something to consider if you plan to do a lot of instant messaging on the go.
Any updates you make in the service won’t transfer back to your original contact list. If you use it to change the address of one of your MySpace contacts, for example, you’ll still have to go back and re-enter the new information on MySpace. The sync is one-way at best.
Why It Stays Relevant
Despite its drawbacks, the application remains popular. Millions of people use it every day across the globe. Its cost, simple interface, and accessibility have allowed the Dutch company to become the most successful independent web and mobile instant messaging provider in the world.
To learn more about instant messaging, online social networking, and related topics, look at the links on the next page.
Lots More Information
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Sources
- Cassavoy, Liane. “eBuddy Review.” PC World. 05/08/07. (Accessed 05/04/09)http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/product/29947/review/.html
- eBuddy. “Web and Mobile Messaging, for Everyone Everywhere.” 2009. (05/04/09)http://www.eBuddy.com
- GetJar. “Most Popular Downloads.” 05/05/09. (05/06/09)http://www.getjar.com
- Mobile Industry Review. “eBuddy – mjelly mobile 2.0 service of the week.” 01/16/09. (05/04/09)http://www.mobileindustryreview.com/2009/01/ebuddy_-_mjelly_mobile_20_service_of_the_week.html
- Reuters. “GetJar Delivers 10M Downloads for eBuddy Mobile Messenger.” 03/19/09. (05/06/09)http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS166671+19-Mar-2009+BW20090319
