| Mobile IM client adds location awareness |
Oct. 23, 2008
 Palringo says it has added "location awareness" to its free Windows Mobile chat client for multiple instant messaging (IM) networks. The latest version of the eponymous "Palringo" client determines a user's location wirelessly, then lets them opt to share it with others, the company says.
(Click here for a larger view of Palringo's location awareness feature)
Palringo supports IM networks that include AIM, Google Talk, Yahoo! Messenger, Gadu Gadu, ICQ, Jabber, and Windows Live Messenger. After logging in, the phone user enjoys access to all their IM accounts via an integrated contact list, the company says.
In the new beta version launched this week, Palringo is said to gain a "location plug-in" that seeks to determine a user's location, and then trades that information with the user's Palringo contacts. In a posting on its blog, Palringo explains that the program "guestimates your location by analysing visible WiFi APs, cell sites, GPS satellites, network routers, and anything else it can get its antennas on. You are then free to share your location with your contacts and groups."
Palringo can map out the locations of a user's contacts
(Click to enlarge)
The company adds that both Windows Mobile and Windows desktop editions of Palringo can indicate contact locations visually, as seen above on a desktop screenshot. Even if users opt in globally to make their location viewable by fellow Palringo contacts, they can still select to block specified individuals from knowing where they are.
Background
Palringo's offering is hardly the first Windows Mobile chat client aimed at unifying multiple IM accounts. Earlier offerings include Mundu, Mobile IM, Raketu, and Fring, some of which also throw in VoIP calling capabilities.
However, Palringo takes a unique tack when it comes to voice. Rather than supporting phone-style conversation, the software provides a "Voice IM" function. By clicking on a relevant button in the application, the user can record a short voice message, then send it just as they would a text IM. If the user on the other end of the conversation is using the Palringo client as well, they can play the voice message from within the application. If they are using other IM client software, they will instead receive a link to an MP3 file hosted on a Palringo server, the company explains.
Compared to placing a phone call, voice IMs are less intrusive, while still letting the speaker's voice be heard, the company says. And, since it neither makes voice calls nor uses SMS (simple messaging service), the application is free for those with unlimited data plans, says Palringo. Another touted feature is one-to-many distribution of text, voice, or photos to multiple users simultaneously.
Further information
In addition to running on Windows Mobile 2003, 5.0, and 6.0, Palringo is offered for Windows 2000, XP, and Vista desktops. A script allowing Linux users to run it via WINE is also available. The program also runs under Java, on Symbian S60-based phones, and on Apple's iPhone.
The new location awareness feature is only available currently on the Windows platforms. However, it will soon be added to additional platforms, the company says.
To download Palringo, see the company's website, here. Existing Windows users do not need to update manually, adds Palringo, because program updates are automatically pushed to the user.
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