Mobile chat applications: cheap but unreliable

October 4, 2007 / Filed under: Instant Message, Meebo, Mobile Web

I've always been intrigued with mobile chat applications - a recent addition being Meebo.com's interface for the iPhone. For one, mobile chat adds to the opacity of always being connected. At a bar sipping drinks, I can still be "online" and available to chat. Or, in the professional world, it goes without saying that being connected and reachable, outside of the office, can be beneficial.

But the most lucrative feature of instant-message is that it's completely free. It doesn't cost to send or receive, unlike SMS, which is usually priced per message by most wireless providers.

In situations where I can use instant-message, I will always choose that over SMS. I even discussed using Twitter to save on SMS charges.

The drawback to using instant-messaging on mobile devices is that it relies on your phones data plan, which is usually sporadic coverage with most cell providers. SMS, on the other hand, uses a different protocol, and is much more reliable.

More drawbacks than benefits

Instant-messaging on wireless devices is relatively new, and can be extremely buggy in many situations. There are typically two methods of using instant-message on a mobile device:

  • Built-in application, such as AOL instant messenger.
  • Browser-based alternatives, such as Meebo.com.

I've noticed the AOL clients work better than the browser-based apps. Meebo's iPhone-customized app is very buggy, and hardly holds it's connection.

The most glaring problem with these apps is that brief interruption when you log off instant message from your computer, and log on from your mobile device. I have yet to find a service that seamlessly migrates from one client to another, without ever "appearing" offline.

Comments/Mentions

# Andy at 10/4/2007 3:13 pm cst

Have you tried Mundu? I'm wondering if it is any better than Meebo on iPhone?

http://www.mundu.com/im/iphone/

# wartik at 10/6/2007 10:15 am cst

undoubtedly, it is way ahead of meebo and works great on the ipod touch too.

# harry n at 1/27/2008 1:15 pm cst

i only really use meebo but wen i found mundu, i use that now