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'''eBuddy''' is a web and mobile messenger which supports various [[instant messaging]] services.
'''eBuddy''' is a web and mobile messenger which supports various [[instant messaging]] services.


''eBuddy'' started as a web [[browser-based]] [[instant messaging]] service in 2003 under the name '''e-Messenger''', located at www.e-messenger.net. The company was rebranded in 2006 from e-Messenger to eBuddy, and expanded it's features to include chat on [[Windows Live Messenger]] (also known as MSN), [[Yahoo! Messenger]], [[AOL Instant Messenger]], [[ICQ]], [[Google Talk]], [[MySpace Instant Messenger]] and [[Facebook|Facebook Chat]] using one interface. eBuddy can also be accessed from mobile platforms such as mobile phones.
''eBuddy'' started as a web [[browser-based]] [[instant messaging]] service in 2003 under the name '''e-Messenger''', located at www.e-messenger.net. The company was rebranded in 2006 from e-Messenger to eBuddy, and expanded its features to include chat on [[Windows Live Messenger]] (also known as MSN), [[Yahoo! Messenger]], [[AOL Instant Messenger]], [[ICQ]], [[Google Talk]], [[MySpace Instant Messenger]] and [[Facebook|Facebook Chat]] using one interface. eBuddy can also be accessed from mobile platforms such as mobile phones.


eBuddy is a privately-held company backed by Prime Technology Ventures and Lowland Capital Partners. The company is headquartered in Amsterdam and has offices in London and San Francisco.
eBuddy is a privately-held company backed by Prime Technology Ventures and Lowland Capital Partners. The company is headquartered in Amsterdam and has offices in London and San Francisco.

Revision as of 10:54, 26 May 2010

eBuddy
eBuddy logo
eBuddy logo
File:Ebuddywebsite-screenshot.PNG
Available inMultilingual
Created byPaulo Taylor
Jan-Joost Rueb
Onno Bakker
URLwww.ebuddy.com
RegistrationOptional

eBuddy is a web and mobile messenger which supports various instant messaging services.

eBuddy started as a web browser-based instant messaging service in 2003 under the name e-Messenger, located at www.e-messenger.net. The company was rebranded in 2006 from e-Messenger to eBuddy, and expanded its features to include chat on Windows Live Messenger (also known as MSN), Yahoo! Messenger, AOL Instant Messenger, ICQ, Google Talk, MySpace Instant Messenger and Facebook Chat using one interface. eBuddy can also be accessed from mobile platforms such as mobile phones.

eBuddy is a privately-held company backed by Prime Technology Ventures and Lowland Capital Partners. The company is headquartered in Amsterdam and has offices in London and San Francisco.

In addition to the software being available on the official website, users may host a log-in widget on their own webpages and blogs to provide direct access to the software more easily.[1]

History

eBuddy was originally created by Paulo Taylor. The idea came to life when he made a bet with a friend to get MSN to work on a mobile phone. After several weeks, he won the bet and uploaded the application on a server. Visitors then asked if he could make a web version of the application. As user traffic spurred, Paulo decided to take the idea to the next level.

On September 9, 2003, Taylor together with two partners created EverywhereMSN.com. Microsoft however claimed the domain name and on December 4, 2003 the domain was changed to e-messenger.net.[2] On May 1, 2004, e-Messenger became incorporated. On June 1, 2006, e-Messenger was renamed to eBuddy.[3]

Software Variants

eBuddy Web Messenger

eBuddy Web Messenger
Websitewww.ebuddy.com Edit this on Wikidata

eBuddy Web Messenger—the web browser-based version—allows the user to chat free of charge without any installations their computer.[4] It can be used where the messenger program cannot be installed, such as on public computers. Supported features include a recent chat history, the ability to send and receive offline messages, and participate in webcam chat.[5][6] The web messenger is available in multiple languages.

A later version, released on January 20 2009, added further features including support for Facebook chat, AOL Instant Messenger, ICQ and Google Talk.[7]

eBuddy Mobile Messenger

eBuddy Mobile Messenger
Websitewww.ebuddy.com Edit this on Wikidata

In June 2007, eBuddy Mobile Messenger[8]—a Java ME client—was released that is claimed to work on the top 600 cellular phones used worldwide. This version offers features like uploading an avatar and sending pictures in the chat. The software is usable after being downloaded as an application. Features included in this variant are similar to the web messenger, with support for sending and receiving offline messages, being able to upload pictures to use as an avatar, and the ability to send pictures in chat. The Mobile Messenger also supports sound and vibration.

A later version released in January 2009 added more features which improved the usability of the software, and lowered the battery consumption of the device running it.[9]

eBuddy for iPhone and iPod Touch

On July 13, eBuddy released an Alpha version for the iPhone. It is based on the same AJAX platform as the web version. At the start of 2008, this version was replaced by eBuddy Lite Messenger for iPhone.[10] This mobile web-based version of eBuddy is optimized for the iPhone and also works on the iPod Touch. The features are very similar to the Mobile Messenger, but also include added support for the Safari browser usable on the iPhone.

eBuddy for Android

eBuddy for Android
Websitewww.ebuddy.com Edit this on Wikidata

On May 14, eBuddy launched eBuddy for Android,[11] an app to chat on Android-powered phones like the T-Mobile G1 or HTC Magic. Android is software for mobile phones that was initially developed by Google. The features provided by this variant are similar to the standard mobile messenger service, but are adapted to support the Android status bar, and supports sounds, vibrations and buzzers.

The eBuddy for Android app is available in the Android Market. It crossed the 250,000 download mark on January 14, 2010[12].

eBuddy ID

In February 2008 eBuddy introduced the eBuddy ID, which allows easy access to eBuddy networks.[13]

With this eBuddy ID users are able to login with multiple Instant Messaging accounts, and are able to access to premium features like Webcam Chat.[5]

Reception

Awards

  • In January 2007, eBuddy won the "Best Dutch App" award at the Dutch Web2.0 Awards organized by Blue Ace.[14]
  • On March 19, 2007, eBuddy was listed in Red Herrings Top 100 Europe 2007 organized by Red Herring[15]
  • In December 2007, Google Zeitgeist listed eBuddy as the 7th fastest growing search term worldwide.[16]
  • In January 2009, eBuddy won the Crunchies Award for Best International Company of 2008 organized by Techcrunch.[17]

Updates and modifications

  • September 2005 – Integration of AJAX into e-Messenger.
  • August 2006 – US server platform established.
  • June 16, 2007 – Release of new mobile Java ME client and new beta web IM version.
  • August 22, 2007 – Release of MySpace IM for the beta web version.
  • July 28, 2008 – Optimized version the eBuddy Lite Messenger for the iPhone and iPod Touch, plus other features
  • July 29, 2008 – Release of version 0.99 of the eBuddy Mobile Messenger
  • September 19, 2008 – Release of new versions of eBuddy Mobile and Lite Messenger, including support for Facebook and ICQ
  • May 6, 2009 – Release of new eBuddy Web Messenger with Webcam Chat[5]
  • May 14, 2009 – Release of eBuddy for Android[11]

References

  1. ^ "eBuddy loginbox widget for your Website or Social Network". ebuddy.com. Retrieved 2009-07-18.
  2. ^ Bink, Steven (2003-12-08). "Everywhere-MSN.com domain claimed by Microsoft". bink.nu. Retrieved 2009-07-18.
  3. ^ Kirkpatrick, Marshall (2006-06-21). "E-Messenger raises funds, relaunches as eBuddy.com". techcrunch.com. Retrieved 2009-07-18.
  4. ^ "Web Based Instant Messaging". ebuddy.com. Retrieved 2009-07-18.
  5. ^ a b c Vincent G. (2009-05-05). "Webcam Chat - Now Available on eBuddy". blog.ebuddy.com. Retrieved 2009-07-18.
  6. ^ "Webcam Chat". ebuddy.com. Retrieved 2009-07-18.
  7. ^ Vincent G. (2009-01-20). "Breaking news: New version with improved AOL, ICQ & GoogleTalk !". blog.ebuddy.com. Retrieved 2009-07-18.
  8. ^ "Mobile Instant Messaging on the Go". ebuddy.com. Retrieved 2009-07-18.
  9. ^ Vincent (2009-01-22). "New Mobile Messenger released". blog.ebuddy.com. Retrieved 2009-07-18.
  10. ^ "Instant Messaging for any Device". ebuddy.com. Retrieved 2009-07-18.
  11. ^ a b "eBuddy for Android". ebuddy.com. Retrieved 2009-07-17.
  12. ^ "eBuddy on AppBrain". Retrieved 2010-03-04.
  13. ^ Sign up for an eBuddy ID for easy login
  14. ^ http://web20awards.nl/ [dead link]
  15. ^ http://www.herringevents.com/vme07/newspr.html [dead link]
  16. ^ "Google Zeitgeist 2007". google.com/intl. Retrieved 2009-07-18.
  17. ^ jjrueb (2009-01-13). "Thanks! eBuddy has won a Crunchie award because of you". blog.ebuddy.com. Retrieved 2009-07-18.
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