Digsby Passes 1 Million Users

Today dotSyntax announced that their popular multi-network desktop application Digsby has surpassed a major milestone: 1 million users. The desktop client integrates instant messaging, Facebook, Twitter, text messaging and email into a single desktop client, making it an attractive choice for people connected to multiple networks and social media sites.

Steve Shapiro, president of dotSyntax said, “We built Digsby to simplify people’s lives so they can focus less on signing in and more on staying connected. Our rapid growth shows the utility people find in Digsby and why it’s become the preferred platform for high efficiency digital communication.”

To fuel growth to the next million users, dotSyntax also announced the launch of an affiliate program. The program is designed to encourage people to spread the word about Digsby, and will pay affiliates up to $1.00 for every new Digsby user they sign-up.

Here at BigBlueBall, we helped break the news about Digsby when it first emerged on the scene and I’ve been a big fan. The desktop application is currently only available for Windows. Versions for Mac OS X and Linux have been promised, and you can sign-up here to be notified as soon as they are available.

Download Digsby.

IMBooster Launches Beta for AIM

IMBooster launches IMBooster Beta for AIM. After designing IMBooster for Windows Live Messenger and Yahoo! Messenger, its creators bring forward the latest version, AIM-compatible. All the emoticons, winks, display pictures and text decorations are now available for AIM users as well.

1. AIM users can now send emoticons or create their own with the Make your emoticons feature within IMBooster. Webcam required for this feature.
2. AIM users can also send wink pranks in order to scare their chat partners. Some pranks include: Virus shutdown, Multiple pop-ups, Computer screen bug and others.
3. Display pictures are animated and react to key strokes. The purpose of this feature is to offer more expressivity when chatting.
4. AIM users can also watch TV broadcasted online by sharing the view in a small window.

IMBooster is still a Beta version so the creators are now looking for helpful people to notice any strange behavior. More info can be found on their Beta testing website: http://beta.iminent.com/

Tax Irregularities and Twitter

Many bloggers turn their avocation into a part-time business, running a few ads to help defray their hosting costs and maybe even support their hobby. And, of course, for the tax deductions, as the Joy of Tech wickedly points out.

Now where did I put that receipt?

Trillian for iPhone Screenshots

Cerulean Studios has begun beta testing Trillian for the iPhone, and BigBlueBall has new screenshots.

The closed beta began tonight, and requires the iPhone OS 3.0. I’ve been running this Trillian beta on my year-old iPhone 3G for less than an hour, and I’m already impressed.

Trillian for iPhone allows you to swipe to switch between open chats. Like the Trillian Astra web client which is now in public beta testing, this retains the groups you have already setup for your Trillian account and keeps them in sync.

Of course, it supports push notification so you can appear signed in even after you close the app (it’s configurable) and receive incoming instant messages. If you want to reply, it automatically launches Trillian and restores your chats.

Trillian for iPhone integrates with your iPhone camera, allowing you to take and send photos to your contacts, or to use it to create a new avatar or buddy icon.

Currently, there is no file transfer capability (other than for photos) and emoticons appear as plain text.

Being a beta, it’s still a little buggy. I tried sending a second photo and it crashed on me. Starting it back up I tried again, and it went through just fine.

Cerulean Studios has left the door open to add a few small enhancements before the launch this (apart from fixing any bugs found).

If you’re interested in signing up for the Trillian for iPhone beta, you can learn more here. They currently aren’t accepting any new testers, but that will change as they get closer to launch.

If you already use Trillian and have an iPhone, this could be an IM worth getting… when it becomes available. There is no word yet on when it will be ready for submittal to the iPhone App directory, or what the pricing will be.

Screenshots

Trillian Astra for Web Now Here

Cerulean Studios is celebrating the 9th birthday of their multi-network instant messenger Trillian, and giving all of us a present. They have opened up their web-based version of Trillian Astra for beta testing. Unlike their Trillian Astra desktop client for Windows, the web version will also work on other operating systems, include Linux and Mac OS X.

This new beta is open to anyone with a Trillian Astra account (which you can get for free), however they plan to make the web version a premium service when it is officially launched. No word on what the cost might be.

If you already use Trillian Astra, the web version will look very familiar, using the beautiful Cordonata skin. Trillian Astra for the web uses Flash to give you a smooth, application-like feel. On top of this, all of your contacts, groups and other settings are synchronized with your desktop client.

This really is a Beta

As noted when signing in, this is very much a beta, and shouldn’t be relied on as your primary instant messaging program. In fact, I was able to login earlier today, but minutes later and without warning, the access was closed with the message “The web client is temporarily unavailable while we finalize it for beta access. It will re-appear at this spot when we’re ready to accept testers!” UPDATE: Access is open again.

Feature List

• Single sign-on capable
• Messaging across Astra, WLM, Yahoo!, AIM, ICQ, MySpaceIM, Jabber, Google Talk
• Typing notifications
• Smooth vector-based emoticons
• Buzz support
• Set status message
• Offline contacts folder
• Update browser tabs/taskbar with message alerts
• Profile integration
• Color themes
• Email notifications
• Suspend / resume sessions
• MetaContacts and groups
• Set and view user avatars
• Change displayname
• Mutable sounds
• Add and remove contacts
• Contact authorizations
• Generic “system tray” notification framework
• Basic mail alerts; click alert to open web mail in browser
• Basic keyboard controls

For more details, read the announcement on the Cerulean Studios blog.

Happy Birthday, Trillian!