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