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Chit Chat: Facebook Chat program for Windows

1 Comment / Gizmo of the Day, Software / By /

Chit Chat Facebook IM ClientIf you’re tired of logging into Facebook’s website in order to use the chat feature, then you have a number of options, in the way of desktop programs that let you chat with your Facebook friends.

One such client program is Chit Chat, which is dedicated to Facebook Chat. This is a reasonably lightweight application (about 15-25MB RAM when active) for Windows XP/Vista/7. It will let you know if your connection gets dropped and what the errors are.

Of course, if you’re still a multi-platform Instant Messenger user, we would still recommend that you get something like Trillian, Digsby, Pidgin or meebo, which support Facebook as well as older IM platforms like Yahoo, AIM, ICQ, etc. But if you’re new to chat/IM, and are a heavy Facebooker, then Chit Chat is better suited app for you.

Facebook may still be battling its members regarding its privacy policy, but they certainly made a very smart move when they decided to capitalize on their enormous user base and implement a chat function.

My 12 Favorite Apps for the iPad that Rock! – May 2010 Edition

3 Comments / Networking & Internet, Portable / By /

iPad appsIn a couple of days I will have had my iPad for an entire month. In the past four weeks, my laptop and desktop machines have seen a considerable drop in use from me as the iPad has taken over several functions I had used them for.

The apps represented in my Top 12 Favorite iPad Apps are the ones that have helped the most with this transition plus a few other iPad apps that simply have caught my fancy.

I have a feeling this list will continue to change on a weekly basis with a few exceptions (the top 4 or 5 for example).

Let’s get started with the countdown with #12…

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My 12 Favorite Apps for the iPad that Rock! – May 2010 EditionRead More »

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Trillian Astra – Instant Messenger aggregator

Gizmo of the Day, Software / By /

If you’re an Instant Messenger fiend, then you’ve probably already heard of Trillian, Cerulean’s Studios IM client aggregator. You’ve probably also heard of Trillian Astra which is Cerulean’s latest version that integrates a slew of new and very popular IM platforms such as Facebook, Google (Jabber), Twitter, Skype and much more.

Cerulean touts over 400 features, which we obviously can’t do justice explaining here. But let’s bottom line it for you right now: if you were ever using Trillian before, then you need to do yourself a favor and upgrade to Astra.

Here are but a few of the features that we like: first and foremost is the extensive support of various IM networks. Apart from the ones mentioned above, you can also connect to MySpace, Bonjour, AIM, Yahoo, MSN (Windows Live), ICQ and more.

Astra is better at supporting audio and video chat; it does a great job of showing timestamps in IM windows, and better skins that delineate who said what when. I particularly like that when you pull up an IM window, it shows you as much of the recent chat history as the window can hold. The history management is much better as well.

Astra is available for Windows, there’s a Web version and versions for iPhone and MacOSX are in the works.

Download the free version of Astra from Trillian.IM or get the Pro version for $25.

Buy now!
More info from the manufacturer
Price: $25
(Please note prices are subject to change and the listed price is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of posting)

Nimbuzz Mobile aggregates your IM contacts on your mobile

1 Comment / Phones, Software / By /

Here’s another IM aggregator that makes managing all of your online personalities on your cell/smart phone/mobile easier: Nimbuzz Mobile. It can handle Skype, MSN, Yahoo, ICQ, AIM, Google Talk and more using a single login. Nimbuzz not only IMs, but also manages clls, messaging, photos, video, music and more.

Nimbuzz also lets you locate your buddies on a map (assuming they’ve got their GPS tracking turned on), and if they’re running Nimbuzz too, you can ‘buzz’ them which turns on Nimbuzz on their phone.

Nimbuzz is now available for Android as well. You can see the full list of supported devices here.

Palringo Mobile Messaging Service

Gizmo of the Day, Networking & Internet, Phones / By /

parlingoPalringo is the ‘ultimate Instant Messaging client for mobile phones and computers’. Imagine an IM service that’s a mixture of all other IMs out there, with a touch of GPS, Facebook and audio added; that’s Palringo. What makes it successful is that it’s essentially lots of very basic services bundled together to make a very useful application.

Available for pretty much any phone under 2 years old (and on any Windows or Mac computers if you so wish), the application allows you to hold multiple conversations with people on the most popular IM services out there, included MSN, Yahoo, AIM, Talk, Jabber and many more. Palringo also allows for multimedia messaging such as being able to send voice messages to other users and, of course, the standard sending of photos and videos. People can be grouped and then one message sent out simultaneously to all of them – perfect for a party announcement!

The best parts? It’s free and available worldwide – all that’s needed is a data package and away you go.

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