EBuddy
 | This article contains content that is written like an advertisement. |
eBuddy Screenshot | |
| Type | Instant messaging |
|---|---|
| Website | ebuddy.com |
eBuddy is a web & mobile messenger which supports various instant messaging clients inlcuding MSN Messenger, Yahoo and AIM. Users who are unable or unwilling to download software can access their IM account through eBuddy.
General
eBuddy is a privately funded Dutch company located in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. On October 26th 2006, a press release reported eBuddy received venture capital funding from Lowland Capital Partners, a Dutch VC Group.
An audio interview with the CEO of eBuddy on November 7th 2006 confirmed that the business model is based on online advertising.
History
Paulo Taylor is the inventor of eBuddy. The idea came to life when he made a bet with a friend in which he said he could get MSN to work on a mobile phone. Working full-time at an internet company, Paulo spent his after hours working on a mobile MSN application. After several weeks, he won the bet and uploaded the application on a server. It was here that visitors 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 9th 2003, Paulo together with two partners created Everywhere-MSN.com. Microsoft however claimed the domain name and shortly after on December 4th 2003 the domain was changed to e-messenger.net. On May 1st 2004, e-Messenger became incorporated. On June 1st 2006, e-Messenger was renamed to eBuddy.
Features
eBuddy offers a secure login option. Users can also indicate if they wish to sign on invisibly. The chat client includes a tab mode setting to differentiate chat windows, similar to tab browsing from Mozilla Firefox.
Although multiple IM networks are listed on eBuddy it is not possible to log onto all clients using one interface. The mobile version of eBuddy compatible with Cell Phones, PDA's, PlayStation Portable, Nintendo DS works only on devices that support WAP or xHTML.
Unsupported Features
- Offline messaging - Users cannot leave messages, after one or more contacts are offline.
- QQ Protocol
- Opera support
- Skinning - Users cannot customize application appearance.
- Webcam interface - Users cannot utilize a webcam.
Updates & Modifications
- Integration of AJAX into E-Messenger in September 2005.
- August 2006 US server platform established.
Achievements
In January 2007, eBuddy won the "Best Dutch App" award at the Dutch Web2.0 Awards organized by Blue Ace.