AppleInsider Staff
AIM for Mac beta 1
The new version, built from the ground up, features a redesigned platinum interface akin to Apple's own instant message client, iChat. An availability menu, buddy search function, and visibility toggle are available from the new buddy list window.
Individual chats are now organized as tabs in a global "IM" window, similar to third-party clients like AdiumX and an option available to iChat users. Users can customize chat windows with something AOL is calling AIM Expressions, which lets users add custom sounds, wallpaper, emoticon sets or buddy icons.
The Mac beta also features one-click access to AOL mail, or other Mail clients like Apple's Mail.app. It also supports friendly buddy names, AIM Groups, and AIM Blast groups.
AIM for Mac beta 1 requires a PowerPC G4 or Intel Macintosh, Mac OS X Version 10.4.8 or higher, and at least 256 MB of physical RAM. It's available as a free download.
BeejiveIM for iPhone
Separately this week, Beejive Inc., developers of the popular Beejive for iPhone Web-based instant messenger client, has released a native version of the chat software for the iPhone.
The company promises that the new software will be "gentle" on your iPhone's battery and deliver reliable and efficient connections over EDGE, 3G and WiFi.
BeejiveIM is compatible with all major IM networks and supports background notification when the application is closed for users who have Mobile me or Exchange/Active Sync push email.
It also supports full landscape mode, SMS messages to mobile phones, buddy list management, and chat logs. Future versions will reportedly deliver group chats, emoticons, and full hyperlink support.
Though the software is steeply priced ($15.99 App Store), it has thus far been met by strong reviews.
Andrew Orr
Amber Neely
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
20 Comments
The new version, built from the ground up, features a redesigned brushed metal aluminum interface akin to Apple's own instant message client, iChat. An availability menu, buddy search function, and visibility toggle are available from the new buddy list window.
[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]
This is the plastic theme, not brushed metal.
Wow, that is a HUGE ripoff of the iChat buddy list UI
Why code your own stuff, when you can rip off someone else's.
So long as the likes of Adium exist AOL will never be able to push its way back into the Apple IM market as a standalone app. Speaking of which - does anyone know if the Adium people are working on an iPhone app? That's the 1 biggest app I'm waiting for!
So what exactly are they offering that would make me switch and use their app?
Unless I'm missing something, their client offers nothing different from either adium or ichat--indeed, if it looks identical to ichat and can do exactly the same things, what exactly is the point? What can this AIM version do better than either ichat or adium?
Seems like a waste of resources on the part of AOL to me....unless they offer some major features not available in the aforementioned programs, there is nothing to see here.