Meebo Goes 1.0
As I mentioned in this morning’s reboot, the web-based chat service Meebo has announced a 1.0 release. The new release features a redesign, support for drag-and-drop buddy list management, support for AIM profiles and a feature called “pop out.”
Pop out opens your buddy list and chat screen in new windows, though if you have a popup blocker installed you may have to disable it get this working.
The new version of Meebo also reportedly boosts speed improvements and a fantastic selection of localizations, including Thai, Swiss German and a host of others.
The layout and design of Meebo is clean, simple and intuitive. I will confess to never using the old Meebo so I can’t comment much on the redesign except to say that it has a very heavy Windows XP influence. If you’re a long-time Meebo user and you like the old interface, you can revert to that by choosing a different skin.
My favorite feature of Meebo is that it doesn’t require you to sign up for an account, just login with your existing IM information and Meebo will open up a chat session for you.
For those looking to do even more with Meebo, there’s a Javascript widget, Meebome that allows you put a chat window on your website, MySpace page or anywhere else. Now you can chat with people as they browse your site.
Like the man said, the url bar is the new command line, and Meebo brings the ability to IM to any computer with a web browser. This should be handy for travelers and others who don’t want to, or don’t have the admin access to, install client IM programs.
