There’s no shortage of choices available for gabbing with buddies these days, but instant messaging remains a favorite (I’ve actually worked in at least one newsroom where the primary method of communication was IM).
There’s no lack of IM iPhone apps either; but a clean interface, wealth of features, ability to connect with practically every IM service in the galaxy and availability for free makes Meebo the best of these.
Think of it as iChat for the iPhone — multiple chat windows are easily managed with a swipe, images and active links are easily sent and even the interface is similar, with multi-colored chat bubbles against a colored background.
It doesn’t matter what IM service your buddies choose — AIM, Yahoo, GTalk, Jabber, Windows Live Messenger, Facebook or Martian Cyclops Chat (not real, btw) — Meebo talks with them all.
Of course there are the standard features like push notifications so you’ll know when a buddy ends an IM, even if you’ve exited the app, and the ability to set your status for one or all accounts. But Meebo’s also packed with features not usually found on free IM apps, like a landscape mode, a selection of ready-made emoticons and the previously mentioned ability to easily send images.
It goes deeper than that though, with a wealth of options like the ability to set status for each account, a savable and searchable chat history, a searchable buddy list, and more. There’s even a web-based desktop client that’ll let you flit seamlessly back and forth between it and the app, should you swing that way.
AIM (Free Edition): No landscape mode, no ability to send images, doesn’t work with as many services; can send SMS texts for free.
eBuddy Pro Messenger: Many of the same features, but expensive at $5; adds ability to customize look and buzz buddies.
