meebo:
Meebo is an Ajax-based in-browser instant messaging program which supports multiple IM services, including Yahoo! Messenger, .NET Messenger Service, Google Talk, AIM, ICQ [1], and Jabber and is based on the free and open source library libpurple created by the software developers of Pidgin.[2]
[edit] History
Meebo was founded in September 2005 by Sandy Jen, Seth Sternberg and Elaine Wherry, and is based in Mountain View, California.[3]
Although still in its early stages, the goal of the project is to combine the multiple-network connectivity of Trillian and Pidgin (formerly Gaim) with the in-browser availability of AIM Express.[citation needed] Meebo received funding from Sequoia Capital on December 15, 2005.[4] Meebo includes features such as invisible sign on (to prevent others from knowing when a user connects) and simultaneous connections to multiple IM services.[5]
On August 2, 2006, Meebo launched the "meebo me" widget, which allows users to embed a version of Meebo on their personal website. Additionally, on October 11, 2006, they announced a partnership with Amie Street to include the "meebo me" widget on each Amie Street user page.[6][7]
Meebo allows some people who are behind firewalled networks (networks that block the various instant messaging protocols but have not blocked the meebo.com domain name) to connect to instant messaging services due to the fact that the user connects to only port 443 (HTTPS) and the Meebo service itself then connects to the various instant messaging protocols.[8]
As of May 14, 2007, Meebo incorporated "meebo Rooms". Users of Meebo can connect to chat rooms or host their own for which multiple friends can join and chat. Meebo Rooms also grants a degree of control to the user with invite and ban authority. Meebo Rooms is a big leap forward for Meebo because it is more reliant on newer browsers.[citation needed] Classic Meebo was updated to reflect the release prior to Meebo Rooms to allow users with outdated browsers to continue to use meebo.[9]
On September 10, 2007, Meebo announced support for file transfers between users.
In April 2008, Meebo secured $25M in venture capital funding.[10]
[edit] Achievements
- In June 2006, Meebo was listed 65 of PC World’s 100 Best Products of the Year.[11]
- In August 2006, Meebo was listed as one of Time's Top 50 Coolest Websites for 2006.[12][13]
[edit] Competitors
Meebo faces competition from large network providers as well as other third-party web-based clients. First-party competition includes MSN Web Messenger, AIM Express, Google Talk, and Yahoo! Web Messenger. Third party competition comes from startups such as KoolIM, IMUnitive, imhaha, Ebuddy, orgoo, iloveim, and IMO.IM. Soashable [1] is an Open Source clone of Meebo.
[edit] External links
- Meebo
- Startup Studio - In depth interview with meebo founder Seth Sternberg covering how the company was started, suggestions for raising VC, opportunities for meebo to generate revenue, etc.
[edit] References
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