Nimbuzz formally launches, adds true VoIP calling
Published by Rafe Blandford at 16:39 BST, May 16th 2008
Nimbuzz, the all-in-one communication software which we mentioned a few weeks ago, has now formally launched. In addition to its own network, Nimbuzz supports instant messaging and voice calls for Skype, Google Talk, Windows Live Messenger, Yahoo Messenger, AIM and Jabber. Recent additions include support for true VoIP when making voice calls on S60 devices. The functionality is used when you use NimBuzz to make a voice call to one of your IM contacts. Read on for screens and more.
You can still choose to make a call via a local dial-in number (and this is used by non-S60 handsets). However the advantage of the VoIP solution is that it provides free calls. I tested out the VoIP calls and, when using WiFi, the quality was good. There are quality issues when using the functionality over a 3G network, as is typical with this type of technology, because of the latency and bandwidth issues involved.
Nimbuzz have also made available a Communicator widget which allows people to contact you via Nimbuzz from a web page.
If you're looking for a program to connect to multiple chat networks then Nimbuzz is well worth a look.
Nimbuzz background
Nimbuzz do seem to appreciate they are in a very competitive space, indeed by their own count there are 133 products competing with Nimbuzz in at least a partial way. However Nimbuzz make a great play of the fact they are looking to excel in the 'all-in-one' communication space. The idea is that Nimbuzz will become a one stop shop for users looking to communicate with others.
This year Nimbuzz are looking to concentrate on maturing the product and growing their user base to 5 million (it is currently around 500,000, with a 25% activity rate).
Nimbuzz's longer term strategy is to use an advertising-based business model. They believe that the time users spend in the application gives them a unique audience who can be approached with special offers from select partners. Nimbuzz are keen to stress that will likely not involve traditional advertising routes and believe it is important to reach out to consumers in different ways. For example, a user might be asked which brand they would like to be sponsored by for a month in order to receive free service. Nimbuzz would then allow the given brand (advertiser) to interact with that customer for a month.
Nimbuzz do not intend to, at this stage, integrate Skype-Out or their own VoIP-out gateway into their offering (i.e. calls to fixed line or mobile numbers). Instead, they see this area as ripe for partnerships with operators or other telco service providers.
Rafe Blandford
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Categories: Software, Links of Interest
Platforms: General, S60 3rd Edition, UIQ 3
News Discussion
onutz
There are some big problems with transports: in several minutes after signing in, I can only send messages, but not receive; still my messages arrive ok. Same problem as in previous version. All this time I cannot call and cannot be called, no matter the carrier. The forum seems to have plenty of questions regarding the transports and connection to yahoo servers.
I have submitted a ticket, I can hardly wait to use this app, I like it a lot.
phonophiliac
This is, by far, one of the most far-reaching, well-integrated symbian/web/pc applications I've ever used (WirelessIRC excepted). As opposed to the poster above, I've had no technical issues with regard to any of the services they offer... I've made voip calls over EDGE for goodness sakes.
I couldn't be more impressed, and hope the word gets around for this stellar little app...
Oh, and the myspace/facebook/any-website-anywhere widget apps are something I've been looking for for quite a while... They work! I've been chatting with friends from social networks all day, at no cost to myself or my friends.
Everything just "works", quickly and painlessly.
Huge fan of this new service,
Phono
chrsfrwll
This is pretty good. Widget on my website works well, connecting with my mobile without a hitch. Even had files sent from people via it. Nice one. Would like a degree more customization of the widget though, as it is a little too big for the sidebar. All in all though, a good setup.
EricSeale
I have not been able to connect for days. Tried to create a new a account. Nothing. Tried to reset password. no email. Removed it this morning.
davidmaxwaterma
I currently use Slick for the IM part of this, but it doesn't do Skype IM; and I have used Gizmo for free access to US 1800 (and the other free numbers). It'd be good to have all this in one place, plus the ability to call the IM people too.
So, I thought I'd visit their web site, only to be presented with the 'this web site requires flash'. That crap is *so* annoying - IMO the web worked just fine without it, but now, after waiting to download a web page, I have to wait further to download flash - and that's after having to install a flash player, if there even is one.
I don't care if site decide to have flash on their web site, but there's simply no excuse for not providing an alternative, IMO.
However, in this case, I just ignored the notice that it wouldn't work without flash, and progressed to the subsequent pages - and it worked just fine. So, it's just the misleading message which is annoying.
I look forward to trying the s/w on my phone...
onutz
very smart idea, indee, but :(
various incoming problems... No connectivity to server for more than 4 hours, no reply to submitted ticket. Contacts messed up, cannot call another nimbuzz contact, no matter the transport, big traffic, big battery drain. These things should work. Another things should be: visual notification, lost connection notification, traffic matter, better interface. I must say that the idea is great, but when put in practice it results an unreliable communication tool.
The widget works like a charm, this is the good part!
Regards
davidmaxwaterma
Quote:
Originally Posted by davidmaxwaterma
I look forward to trying the s/w on my phone...
|
I tried it, and I like it. I think I'll be using that instead of that other one - I can't even remember it's name any more (something beginning with 'S', iirc).
It seemed to work for IM with the services I'm on - ie Y!M, MSN, GTalk, AIM, and Skype (the one I was using didn't have Skype, iirc) - and voice worked for MSN, and Skype (equally well, it seemed) when calling someone on the same ISP (CNC/Beijing), albeit with some disturbing delays (akin to satellite delays, IMO).
However,
1) there didn't seem to be a 'call' option for Yahoo! Instant Messenger
I'm not sure why this would be since it doesn't seem to be a whole lot different
than MSN or even Skype when using a Mac at least,
2) when using video calling on my Mac with Y!M or Skype, it is possible to type IM
messages while talking, and that seems to be impossible with Nimbuzz.
Would also like to see some video support eventually, but this might be a waste of effort if
Max.
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