Mobile social network Nimbuzz launches iPhone 3.0 update

Nimbuzz today released updates for its iPhone & iPod touch apps, along with a new client for Apple desktops. The update includes file sharing, push notification, user-interface redesign and geo-location.

First off, what does Nimbuzz do?

It’s a mobile messaging hub, combining VoIP and IM communications across mobile, PC and mobile/on-line Internet. It combines contact lists and log-ins for services like Skype, MSN, AIM, Google Talk from one location. And now it works on Mac as well.

It’s Mac client looks pretty slick, and allows all the Nimbuzz functions from your desktop:

What are the app updates?

iPhone users can share files with their contacts – including photos, music and videos. Like most sharing services the actual files are stored on-line, where they can be streamed to the device or downloaded. Nimbuzz also took advantage of iPhone 3.0 to create push notifications for incoming calls and chats. It has added geo-location, so Nimbuzz buddies can choose to each other pinpoint them on a map. And finally, it has upgraded the graphical layout of the buddylist:

From the release:

Evert-Jaap Lugt, CEO of Nimbuzz: “We love the design and the flawless usability of Apple products.  A large proportion of our already substantial iPhone fan base are also Mac users and have been asking for a bespoke version of Nimbuzz for their desktop and laptop Macs.   As a result, we have worked closely with our users to ensure our suite of iPhone & Mac products work seamlessly together, matching the familiar design and UI style of Apple products. We are delighted by the phenomenal reception Nimbuzz has received from iPhone users worldwide and are excited to welcome Mac users to the Nimbuzz community, which is growing at nearly 1 million new users per month.”

What we think?

Well I’m a Mac fan, so naturally I’m happy to see this release. The integration of phone and computer services is a great thing for user experience. Being able to carry on the exact same service from one platform to another syncs nicely with the 2 Screen mobile advertising campaign idea. Nimbuzz also released some metrics to go along with this release. It claims to be in the Top 10 ranking on all iTunes AppStores in Europe, Latin America and the Middle East, as well as having seen an 848% download surge since iPhone OS 3.0 arrived.