With the development of modern technologies, web applications are no longer limited to only one access device, such as PC. And applications may become much more valuable when they all connected to each others. Therefore, modern technologies and applications are designed from the get-go to integrate services across handheld devices.
eBuddy is web and mobile messaging for everyone, everywhere and is available in over 30 languages. And eBuddy is a free web based chat application that provides access to your MSN, Yahoo, Google Talk, MySpace, Facebook, ICQ and AIM account. To use the web version of eBuddy, all you need is a JavaScript enabled browser on your computer and it works even if you are behind a firewall. If you are on the road, outdoors or traveling, you can use the mobile version of eBuddy to chat with your buddies. Every mobile device supports xHTML or WAP can be used, including a cell phone, PDA, Sony PSP and Nintendo DS. In this way, each kind of device enables chat and information sharing by using eBuddy which represent an excellent example of software above the level of a single device.
eBuddy processes nearly 14 billion messages per month and enables more than 30 million unique monthly visitors to chat in one, aggregated interface across all major IM networks.
eBuddy offers four free mobile IM versions: eBuddy for iPhone and iPod Touch, eBuddy for Android, eBuddy Mobile Messenger (J2ME) and eBuddy Lite Messenger (mobile Web). eBuddy’s premium native application, eBuddy Pro for iPhone and iPod Touch is free and includes additional features. The following picture shows the eBuddy Pro – buddy list.
In brief, ebuddy is pretty popular web application which is associated with web browsers and mobile devices. It works as a kind of media that can link different types of devices. As a consequence, this independent messaging service well characterizes the pattern of Software above the level of a single device.
Interesting video about eBuddy on DS browser:
More information about eBuddy on Wikipedia, please have a look.
More information about Privacy Statement of eBuddy
References:
Alexander, C. A Pattern Language: Towns, Buildings, Construction. UK: Oxford University Press.
eBuddy. (2003-2010). About eBuddy. http://www.ebuddy.com/about.php
eBUDDY Secures 5 Million Euro In Series A Funding. (2006). http://www.ebuddy.com/press/eBuddy_Lowland_Capital.pdf
O’Reilly, Tim. (2005). What is Web 2.0: Design Patterns and Business Models for the Next Generation of Software.
Wikipedia. (2010). eBuddy. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ebuddy
Kimi200100's Blog 
Good one Kimi!
I have this application installed on my iPhone and find it is the perfect way to maintain IM whilst I am out and about.
I must say I always hesitantly enter my IM or email address into these programs given that I am effectively giving away my password to the owners of such a program.
Do you know if the Terms of Use protect users in this way?
Great point, Gavin.
Security issues are always the big concern for every web application. In addition, eBuddy expands it’s features to include chat on different types of instant messaging tools. This kind of situation may associate with much more security issues. eBuddy has clear statement about what information it collects about its users and how to use.
Please have a look the Privacy Statement of eBuddy.
Thanks Gavin
Thanks for commenting
Wow. What a amazing software! I just need to sign in eBuddy and can connect my friends from MSN, Facebook and Yahoo ……. Especially, it can be used in mobile phone. It is a tendece that people have more applications in their mobile device currently.
Yes, Douglas. eBuddy is a kind of application provides multiple choices for people to use. Nowadays, more and more people is using smartphone such as iphone or blachberry, so effective communication applications can bring much more convenient to our lives.
Nice one~ meanwhile, I would say Gavin’s worry about security problems is critical and necessary. Since eBuddy is running on pc JavaScript base and xHTML or WAP based mobile device which to some extent that is fragile, and eBuddy should demonstrate more details on security of internet and user’s privacy protection rather than Privacy Statement of eBuddy.
Good point, Gray. That may be a possible suggestion for ebuddy to provide more secure protection. For instance, a security question can be employed when users sign in their account by using ebuddy. However, I think none of web applications can avoid security issues. Web developers always devote themselves to minimize this kind of risk.
ebuddy is really powerful web2.0 application. It combine e-mail and IM, we just open ebuddy and could receive the message from different software.
Correct point, Nicholas. eBuddy associates different types of software and also can operate on computers or mobile phones. It should be a good example to represent the web 2 pattern of “software above the level of a single device”.
yes it is, Nicholas, this ebuddy is powerful. We can see how this important to web2.0 application.