Mashable has established a +90 list of most Instant Messaging (IM) tools available with respectively

• 30 single IM system clients
• 15 Multi-Networks applications
• 20 Web-based solutions (ideal to bypass corporate firewall ?)
• 15 IM solutions for mobile terminal running on Symbian, Windows Mobile and even iPhone.

Despite of a large quantity of different software to be used on most common IM network, it is interesting to notice that most multi-network solutions provide access to most popular IM networks (Yahoo, MSN, GoogleTalk, ICQ) but only very few have added Skype in their supported network list.

In resume difficult to sort out 2 or 3 solutions which would make a real difference with others. For my own use, I would narrow my final selection on some of the following ones:

• Multi-Network: Pidgin, Trilian
• Web-Based : eBuddy (w/mobile support), Meebo
• Mobile : Fring, Agile

Tags: 2007, access, agile, blog, ces, ebuddy, fring, google, ia, icq, im, instant messenger, iphone, lan, list, meebo, mobile, Mobile Communications, msn, network, nomadcom.net, phone, pidgin, resume, skype, space, symbian, Telecommunications, term, trilian, web, windows, WM5, WM6, wp, www, yahoo

Another multi protocol Instant Messaging (IM) application for mobile device (Symbian and Windows Mobile) is Fring (still a Beta). This free mobile VoIP software gives the possibility to communicate with Skype, MSN, Google Talk, Twitter.

Fring also supports SkypeOut as well as SIP-based services such as GizmoProject, VoIPStunt, among many others. Real-Time contact presence is also taken into consideration. 

Once connected using packet switching network (Wi-Fi, GPRS, EDGE, etc..) you can then select which communication option you want to use to establish a voice communication: Fring, SkypeOut, SIP or simply the GSM network.

Unlike Agile Messenger, Fring doesn't propose file or photo transfer and Yahoo protocol has not been taken on board.

To install the software on a supported device, once the installation page filled up, a SMS is sent with the link to your terminal. Your phone number will be used as User-ID. 

While doing some text and voice test using my HTC S620 (Dopod C720) I have very few points that require, on my point of view, some improvements:

• Different services cannot be managed individually
• Switch OFF external speaker while on voice call
• Add File, photo, video transfer

  test continues..

Source: SmartphoneMag

Tags: 2007, agile, air, art, blog, C720, Cavalier, ces, communication, dopod, free, fring, google, google talk, gsm, HP, htc, ia, im, install, instant messenger, lan, LED, list, live, messenger, mobile, Mobile Communications, msn, network, nomadcom.net, phone, photo, presence, project, S620, services, skype, smartphone, sms, space, symbian, term, twit, Twitter, user, video, windows, WM5, WM6, wp, www, yahoo

Agilemobile.com, a Bangkok based company, has released the final version of Agile Messenger 3 which is a "all-in-one" Instant Messaging client for mobile terminal.

Agile supports MSN, Yahoo, AIM, ICQ Jabber & GoogleTalk can carry all type of messages (IM, Voice, Video, Photo) and is available for Nokia, Sony Ericsson (Symbian) as well as for Windows Mobile devices (Pocket PC and Smartphone running on WM2002, WM2003 or WM5).

Price is 50 USD per licence.

For corporate users 2 options are available.

1. a version of Agile Messenger that can be customized to reflect corporate identity
2. a LCS client version for that connect directly to Microsoft Live Communication Server without additional gateway.

Installation is straight forward with an *.exe package, or *cab files can be downloaded directly to the mobile terminal. 

I have made few test, and found the interface very pleasant & easy to use. File and photo transfer works fine, specially if you're connected through a Wi-Fi hotspot.

Cons:

• Could not update Twitter using GTalk IM protocol. Twitter user is seen online, but sent messages are not published on Twitter page.
• Skype support would certainly turn this application to a "must have" specially if the possibility of using SkypeOut gateway is given to contact people by phone.

While reaching the end of 7 days trial period given by Agile, I just found another multi-protocol IM tool for PDA and Smartphone which is free: Fring

A quick review of Fring will follow shortly is now published.

Tags: 2003, 2007, agile, aim, art, Bangkok, blog, ces, communication, ericsson, free, fring, google, GTalk, ia, icq, im, install, instant messenger, lan, live, messenger, microsoft, mobile, Mobile Communications, msn, nokia, nomadcom.net, online, pda, phone, photo, release, review, skype, smartphone, sony, space, symbian, term, twit, Twitter, update, user, video, web, windows, WM5, WM6, wp, www, XP, yahoo