03 April 2009

Nimbuzz 2.0 for S60 Devices Brings
User Interface and Functionality Improvements

Nimbuzz for Symbian S60 devices has been upgraded to version 2.0, which includes a good number of enhancements, some minor bug fixes and tweaks, as well as the interface and functionality Improvements and I’m glad to see that Nimbuzz’s makers are so keen on improving an already excellent freeware application.

Nimbuzz is a free application, launched last year in May that allows you to call, chat and text with your friends on virtually every major IM service including Skype, MSN, ICQ, Google Talk, AIM, GaduGadu, Jabber and Twitter, plus 23 social networks including Facebook and MySpace.

Nimbuzz has positioned itself to become the largest global communications platform for seamless IP-based communication among mobile devices and social media platforms.In January 2009, Nimbuzz was awarded the prestigious Red Herring Global 100 award, as the first aggregated mobile instant messenger product ever.

According to the application’s developers, the main improvement is the brand new interface. Up until now, the Nimbuzz for Symbian’s Menu button layout was the central connection point for any buddy, feature or setting. Now, you’ll notice the new design with Tabs. Quickly switch between your favorite features by browsing through the 4 tabs: Nimbuzz (buddy-list), Chats, Phone Calls, and Messaging.

Here is a list of new features:

• Sort your buddy-list by favorites. People you communicate with most, appear at the top of your buddy-list.
• Choose your favorite ringtones for new chats, messages, and calls.
• Directly make SkypeOut calls from the Phone Calls tab; always see what your current SkypeOut credit and username are.
• Pressing the red “hang-up” button now hides Nimbuzz instead of exiting.

Chats - Quickly accessible from a separate tab; scan new incoming messages in chats, group-chats, and chatrooms. Active chat messages are displayed using Nimbuzz-style tabs (with username titles) and in summary view.

Groups - Display one contact group at the time. Switch fast between groups by clicking on the active group header. Start Conference

SkypeOut - Make SkypeOut calls from the phone calls tab; always see what your current SkypeOut credit and username are.

Profiles - Now include location. Check out how the display-picture zooms in and out! See your buddy’s location by moving to the location tab in the profile (available for Nimbuzz users on a supported phone.

IM Buddies: Add contact, Sort (also new Group viewing), Show Offline Contacts, and General Settings

Settings - New settings screen, organized in a more intuitive way.

Phone Calls - Clearly see which (VoIP) operator you are using for your calls to landlines and mobile. Switch between operators and call type. Make calls to the contacts on your phone or by choosing dial a number. Send your contacts a free SMS-invite!

Improved SIP performance - SIP provider support has improved and network/firewall problems reduced. Also, battery life has increased when using SIP calling.

New connection management -Start Nimbuzz without having to choose your access point. Set your default access point and select to automatically use one of your (pre-configured) Wi-Fi access points.

Where does the name Nimbuzz come from?

Nimbuzz means "halo" – or “a shining cloud sometimes surrounding a deity when on earth.” It fits our vision of "mobile freedom" very well. Although we are a business and need to be a business in order to survive. We also believe in freedom, expression and the hope that our technology can somehow make the world a smaller, closer, better place by fostering international community, cultural awareness and understanding. That may sound hokey, but we hope to live up to it through our actions, not our words.