Instant Messaging App Round-up

I can't say I'm a big IM user, but there are times I would rather IM instead of SMS or e-mail, so I recently decided to find an IM app that will allow me to connect to the services I use (GTalk, MSN and Facebook).

Sadly, only a few are still being actively maintained, but you still have a couple of options.  Here is a summary of my results......

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Slick
Pros:
- Works with Facebook in addition to the usual suspects (GTalk, MSN, ICQ, AIM, Yahoo)
- Still getting updates
- Sound/Vib notification when in standby
Cons:
- no visual indicator of new messages
- Minor issues with GUI (on-screen keyboard can cause the bottom bar to obstruct part of the screen)
- Consumes 3.6MB+ when running in the background
http://www.lonelycatgames.com/?app=slick&page=download&platform=windowsmobile


Nimbuzz
Pros:
- Works with Facebook in addition to the usual suspects (GTalk, MSN, ICQ, AIM, Yahoo)
- Sound notification when in standby
- Supports Gtalk voice
- Supports Skype
- Supports SIP
- Attractive interface
Cons:
- No longer being updated
- No Vibration support
- No Visual indicator/pop-ups
- Consumes 5.2MB+ when running in the background
*see attachments


BeejiveIM
Pros:
- Works with the usual suspects (GTalk, MSN, ICQ, AIM, Yahoo)
- Visual indicator (new message popup, taskbar icon & LED flash - same as SMS behaviour)
- Audio indicator when in standby
- Attractive interface
Cons:
- No Facebook support in the Windows Mobile version
- No longer being developed (free beta)
- Consumes 4.7MB+ when running in the background
- Preferences screen is difficult to use
http://www.beejive.com/winmo/


Palringo
Pros:
- Works with Facebook in addition to the usual suspects (GTalk, MSN, ICQ, AIM, Yahoo)
- Visual notification (icon and notification button, but no pop-up)
- Audio notification
- Attractive interface
- Consumes only 600KB when running in the background
- Can send voice recording and pictures by web link
- Still active (busy forum and new releases)
Cons:
- No notification (visual or audio) when in standby
- Crashes Titanium on exit (at least for me it does)
- No vibration support
http://modept.com/download/palringo/app


Fring
Pros:
- Works with the usual suspects (GTalk, MSN, ICQ, AIM, Yahoo)
- Supports VoIP
- Consumes only 1.13 MB when running in the background
- Audible indicator when in standby
Cons:
- No Facebook support
- No Pop-ups
- Screen turns on when receiving a message while in standby
- Doesn't work well with WM 6.5.3 (menu obstructed by bottom bar)
http://www.fring.com/download/symbian_UIQ_windows_Mobile/#wm


IM+
Not free and I didn't see a demo or trial version that I could test

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Unfortunately, there is no perfect solution.

If BeejiveIM added Facebook support and a smaller memory footprint, it would be pretty darn good, but sadly it is no longer being developed (for WinMo at least).

Palringo is nice, but I require some kind of indicator while in standby.  Preferably, optional sound and vibration.  Assuming they add that and prevent it from crashing Titanium on exit, it would be an excellent option.

Nimbuzz would be an option if it had some type of visual indicator since it does almost everything else that I want (except for the large memory footprint), but again, development has stopped (for WinMo).

Unlike BeejiveIM and Nimbuzz, Slick is still being developed.  With a GUI update, smaller memory footprint and visual indicator, this one could be a contender.

Fring needs a GUI update before it is very usable with WM 6.5.3.  It has a small memory footprint (2nd to Palringo) but lacks Facebook support and a visual indicator.

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I think, for now, I will try and get by with BeejiveIM as I think I can live without Facebook support.  I will also keep an eye on Palringo since it is still being developed and has almost everything I need.

What do you guys use?

I can chime in on Palringo. It's what I use. I have never experienced a crash while using or exiting. I am often logged into it for days at a time when I have need of mobile IM. Frankly, I'll log in when I need it and leave it running because there has been very little need to exit. It only gets closed when I soft reset for the loss of sound gremlin I sometimes have from incorrectly shutting off bluetooth streaming. I'm pretty happy with it overall.