Instant Messengers 2012

[charlieharper]

So, Instant Messenger software have come a long way - since the development of the first computers.

I remember the different stages, IRC is where I learned how to use "chat" online, when I was merely 13 years old with my 32k Dial Up Modem.
Then I got all my friends to get MSN and Skype.
After that there was the Cell Phone BOOM, when MXit was launched, now in 2012 everyone in SA have BBM.
I'm in Korea at the moment, and I've learned that they all here use KakaoTalk.

But something that seems left behind, is good ol' IM's for your Windows/Mac/Linux.

What is the "In Thing" these days when it comes to these platforms?

 

[Elimentals]

As mentioned in the iMessage thread.

Google Talk, works on both Phone/PC and you can even VoIP between the media

PC http://www.google.com/talk/
iOS http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/chat-for-google-talk-with-push/id426339333?mt=8
Blackberry http://us.blackberry.com/smartphones/features/im/google_talk.jsp
Android - Included by default

 

[Viva]

On my phone, I use both both Whatsapp and Google Talk. Whatsapp is probably the future with regards to mobile IM. It's gaining users extremely fast.

I only use Google Talk on my computers. Sadly, Facebook messenger might be the "in thing" these says when it comes to computers.

 

[murraybiscuit]

the youth of today don't live in a desktop world.
nimbuzz is probably the best multi-protocol client on desktop.
imo is probably the best multi-protocol client on mobile.
from my experience that is.

 

[Freaksta]

Phone - whatsapp
PC - IRC (since 2000)

 

[bwana]

Skype. When I want to "chat" there's no substitute for verbal communication.

 

[agentrfr]

Steam and Skype for PC
Whatsapp for phones

Anything more and you are over-doing it.

 

[Hamster]

WhatsApp, Gtalk and Skype (for the friends that refuse to install GTalk)

 

[w1z4rd]

Gtalk, WhatsApp and Skype as well.

 

[Elimentals]

WhatsApp, Gtalk and Skype (for the friends that refuse to install GTalk)

Funny enough that you don't need to install Gtalk to use it on a PC

I also have skype on my phone but only start it when I want to "Phone" someone using skype and Whatsapp is for those people with blackberrie and Nokia phones as the Gtalk client dont work well(Lacking Push notification) on some of them.

 

[ebendl]

Funny enough that you don't need to install Gtalk to use it on a PC

I have friends who still don't have a GMail account - for them you need to convince them to install (i.e. register) it!

I use:
- Trillian on the desktop for Skype / GTalk (some contacts prefer Skype, some GTalk, this way I combine them into Megacontacts and prioritise one IM above the other per contact, yet keep the same look and feel for all)
- Trillian on my iPhone for GTalk (syncs 100% with Trillian on the desktop, unlike other clients I tried)
- Skype on my iPhone (occasionally)
- WhatsApp for those contacts on Blackberry / Nokia / Android whom I don't have in GTalk. Also does group chats fairly well. But hell, I wish they'd go further and introduce iPad / PC / Mac clients.
- iMessage for my wife, dad, brother and a few others, because it gives read receipts and syncs perfectly between my iPad and iPhone.

 

[Vulk]

I only use two:

1. GTalk on the desktop and mobile (sometimes)
2. WhatsApp on mobile (mostly)


I stopped using Skype a while back, after I decided their Android client was bloated and laggy. And after GTalk started supporting voice and video chat, I didn't really see the point anymore.

I used to maintain multiple profiles on services like AIM and MSN and aggregate them through Pidgin, but I stopped doing that too because nobody I know uses those services anymore.

I agree that Facebook Messenger is almost certainly the biggest IM client in the world these days. Technically I'm registered for that, but I don't actively use Facebook and I don't have the Messenger app installed on my phone, so it doesn't really apply to me.

 

[ebendl]

I have not met one person who uses Facebook Messenger on a regular basis.

 

[Viva]

I have not met one person who uses Facebook Messenger on a regular basis.

Apparently you hang out with a better crowd than me!

I only use it to reply on the odd occasion someone sends me an IM while I'm on FB.

 

[GarethC]

I'm still permanently on IRC, although it's not as popular as it once was, there's still a solid base.

Also use GoogleTalk most of the time. Whatsapp on my phone and Skype fills the gaps.

 

[Mike Hoxbig]

WhatsApp (phone) and Skype (PC) for me also. I also use Skype Mobile for voice calls when I'm on the move - I guess others could make a case for Viber but it's only available for iOS and Android.

 

[masood75]

Gtalk, whatsapp and MSN