Trillian Astra 4.0 Launches

After an extensive public beta, Trillian Astra has officially launched. Trillian Astra is a popular multi-network instant messenger and communication tool that has been around for a long time. This new version brings a much-needed update to that Trillian legacy.

Competition is good for the consumer, and now (at least on Windows) you have two choices: Trillian and Digsby.

Cerulean Studios, the developers behind Trillian Astra, are working on a version for the iPhone and iPod Touch, as well as a cross-platform web client and a dedicated client for OS X. I’ve been testing Trillian Astra for the iPhone, and I like it so far. It leverages push notifications allowing you to stay connected even when it’s not running. If they can improve the time to connect it will be my favorite IM on the iPhone.

Trillian Astra comes in two versions, a free version with basic functionality, and a paid, Pro version that adds additional features. The Pro version sells for $25 (or $10 to upgrade for existing Pro owners). I own a Pro license, and found it was well worth it several years ago. I haven’t yet decided whether I’ll spring for the upgrade, as now I tend to use IM for more basic collaboration, which the free version supports quite nicely.

You can download Trillian Astra for Windows or learn more about it here.

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!

Trillian

The Trillian contact list

Trillian is a multi-protocol instant messaging program for Windows, that currently comes in two versions — a free, basic version appropriately called Trillian Basic;  and an enhanced, commercial version called Trillian Pro.

Trillian was first developed as a free IRC client, but didn’t achieve popularity until version 0.6 was released in November, 2000.  Trillian 0.6 marked a change in direction, adding the ability for Trillian to connect to AIM, MSN and ICQ.  

Since that time, Trillian has expanded multi-protocol IM support to include a range of instant messaging networks, including:

• Windows Live Messenger
• Yahoo! Messenger
• ICQ
• AIM
• IRC

Trillian Pro adds support for additional protocols via plugins: 

• Jabber (including Google Talk)
• Skype
• Bonjour (formerly Rendezvous)
• Microsoft Exchange
• Lotus Sametime
• Novell GroupWise
• Xfire

What Makes Trillian Unique? 

Skins

There are several features that really make Trillian stand out. First, it’s skinnable. There is a crowd of people who have developed custom “skins” for Trillian that make it look like other IM programs or give it personality. 

Meta Contacts

One of the challenges with most multi-protocol IM programs is that you have contacts with multiple accounts on multiple networks. Keeping it all straight can be a challenge. 

To solve this problem, Trillian introduced the concept of meta contacts. These meta contacts allow you to collect all the accounts of an individual under one name — and you can give it a name that is meaningful to you.  This works great when you have contacts with multiple accounts on different networks, and makes it easier for you to tame your contact list. 

Plugins

There is an extensive third-party developer network that creates plugins to extend the functionality of Trillian Pro (sorry, plugins won’t work the Trillian Basic). There are plugins for the weather, for reading RSS feeds, checking your email and much more. 

The Future: Trillian Astra

Trillian Astra is the next major version of Trillian (still in beta). Astra promises new functionality, Mac support, a web-based version and a “lite” version. Click the images below for full-size screenshots.

Astra has been in beta testing for well over a year. It is still unknown when Cerulean Studios will release it to the public. When they do, BigBlueBall will let you know. 

Useful Links

• Download Trillian – Cerulean Studios
• Trillian Forum at BigBlueBall
• Trillian Developer Wiki
• Trillian Skins at DeviantArt
• Trillian Astra
• Trillian Pro Plugin Catalog