Microsoft/Mac Monday
Remember ICQ, some of you may still use it today but back in the mid 90’s it was one of the first instant messengers to really take-off and become popular. Shortly after, AOL’s Instant Messenger became a hit followed by others developed by Microsoft and Yahoo. Eventually we saw clients introduced that supported multiple protocols like Pidgin, Trillian, Digsby, and Adium.
Over the years we’ve seen messengers develop from simple clients used just to send text back and forth to clients that support video conferencing, desktop sharing, file sharing, and more. We’ve also seen instant messaging come to mobile devices, and social networks. It’s amazing just how much it has spread and developed over the years.
Today we’ll be taking a look at two different Instant Messenger clients, iChat and Windows Live Messenger to see how they compare and point out some of their features.
About Windows Live Messenger (link)
This is one of those things that I probably don’t have to explain, but just in case, we’ll go over what Windows Live Messenger is. It’s Microsoft’s instant messaging client and it was released back in December of 2005. Prior to that, Microsoft’s instant messaging client was MSN Messenger. Features include:
- PC-to-PC Calling
- Full-screen video conversations
- Sharing of folders
- Send text messages to your friends
- Receive Windows live alerts right in messenger – traffic, sports scores, etc.
- Send messages to contacts that are offline
- Play games
What’s nice with Windows Live Messenger is that back in 2005, Yahoo and Microsoft decided to introduce interoperability between their messengers so now those using Microsoft’s messenger and those using Yahoo’s messenger can talk to contacts from both.
Another great thing which we’ve mentioned before is the “i’m” initiative which allows users to give-back without needing to do a thing.
About iChat (link)
iChat is Apple’s instant messaging client but what’s nice about it is that it works with AIM, .MAC, ICQ, and is also an XMPP client. Using Jabber, iChat users can also use the service for talking with friends on Google Talk.
One interesting feature with iChat is that they cater to those who may be color blind. Typically they use red, green, and yellow dots to symbolize when someone is either online, away, or idle but for those who are color blind, they can change it to show shapes that symbolize the status.
Features of iChat include:
- Option to go invisible so you can see who is online but people can’t see that you’re online.
- SMS forwarding
- File transfer Manager
- Use multiple logins
- Chats are tabbed
- Awesome video chat
Advantages of using Windows Live Messenger
Things we like about Windows Live Messenger include the option to completely customize the interface including changing the color of the window. They also offer a really great sharing experience where users can easily share files between their contacts. Users can also share entire folders with contacts which means sharing folders full of photos and documents is simple. Voice calling is also nice because users can call landline and mobile phones. You do have to purchase minutes upfront, but it is an affordable way to make phone calls. If you make PC to PC calls, it’s free.
Advantages of using iChat
I think the single best part about using iChat is the Video Chat feature. If two people either have a camera built-in or a camera connected to their computers, you’ll be able to have a video chat. They’ve made it even more fun by integrating some Photo Booth effects that you can apply to your chat. If you decide to use them, your video will change and the person you’re chatting with will see the effect you chose. You can even video conference with up to four different people which is nice as well.
Wrapping it up
Overall I’d say iChat is the better messenger and one of those reasons is simply because they did a fantastic job integrating video chat. It’s amazing!
Have a favorite messenger or a favorite feature in a messenger service? Let us know in the comments below!
So far we’ve taken a look at the following Leopard vs. Vista Comparisons
I’ve never tried iChat, so may I ask, what is the difference between the video chat in Windows Live Messenger and the one in iChat? Usually in WLM I get prompted that the other person has a camera and I’m asked whether I want to initiate a video chat. How is this done in iChat?
Also, as far as video chatting is concerned I don’t see how and why people would want to use it every day. It is good for video conferencing, friends who live abroad or even cybersex (heh…) but people use an instant messenger constantly while they go on browsing the net, or while they’re at work, and I’m not sure most of us would take the hassle to turn their cam on when they’re running their errands online or when they are chatting to many people at the same time. Most of the time, when I’m sitting at my PC I’m in such a bad physical condition anyway, I wouldn’t want my friends to see me like that!
How about HTC Touch Diamond vs. iPhone 2
I would just like to say I used Windows Messenger for years and now I’ve fallen in love with Pidgin. I liked Digsby, but it used waaaaaaaaay too much ram for an IM program.
No doubt iChat *looks* better, but that doesn’t really help Windows users. I’m searching for years for an alternative to MSN/WLM. No third party messenger supports video or voice chat which makes (for me!) all third party clients useless.
Jabber protocol might be interesting but what if you don’t know anyone who is using that messenger protocol?
Few weeks ago I once again I tried out Trillian. I didn’t find a change since I tried out Trillian last time (5 years ago?). Still no video support. I wonder why they charge 25 bucks for things other free programs offer since “decades”.
The new Yahoo messenger 9 is really nice, but same problem: No video support for MSN users…
totally disagree with you!
WLM is SO FULLY Customizable.. it has tons of add-ons and extensions like PLUS, A-patch, Mess Patch and a lot more, in fact it is one of the best apps that microsoft ever did!!
you simply can’t compare to any other chat client except Skype in call quality and that’s it..
To answer your first question, if someone has a video camera hooked up and they’re using iChat, you’ll see a “video camera” icon next to their name. With one click, video chat is up and running. I wouldn’t say video chat is something everybody uses regularly, but if you have family or friends that live far distances away, it does come in handy, especially if you have little kids that you want family members to see.
I think you missed the part of my article where I said that one thing we do like about WLM is that it is customizable. In regards to the add-ons though, we are comparing the out-of-box experience.
Those are the kinds of things that the messenger services create to get you to stick with their applications. From what I’ve read it’s very hard to implement video/audio chat in third-party applications, and there are also some problems with getting files to transfer. So I wouldn’t hold your breath on seeing features like those in third-party apps.
iChat is also pretty cool because of the effects that you can apply like the ones Ashley pointed out above. It’s also kind of cool because you can also share videos and presentations from within iChat:
[apple.com]
<<How about HTC Touch Diamond vs. iPhone 2
Yep, want to hear your opinion
I have family in Iraq using WLM and we have iChat here at home and want to know if the two can video conference to one another and how to do it. Any references if they can?
Thanks,
Anthony
I have Windows Live Messenger on my PC. My friend has iChat on his Mac. Can we video conference and chat…?
The iChat video conferencing only works with other iChat users.
Sorry, Ryan’s post is not correct. As the article at top points out, “it works with AIM, .MAC, ICQ, and is also an XMPP client.” That includes video also.
Are you kidding Fiachra? Have you ever tried actually using this supposed interoperability? The Apple forums are rife with posts from people who have tried, and failed, to get this working from a video standpoint.
Truth is, iChat servers don’t restrict who can connect, and they do operate on a standard protocol set, but the problem is they don’t have the support built in for third party chat clients to vid conf with iChat users seamlessly – thus for the majority of users this “interoperability” is as tangible as honesty from the Bush administration (i.e. it ‘might’ exist, but you won’t be able to figure out where).
IMHO, support for interoperability has never been a strong point with Apple though. It keeps the aethetic loving mac crowd buying only their software/hardware.
This is all very interesting though Windows Live Messenger and iChat both encounter their own down sides and compatible issues. why not just switch to Skype and get free online calls and video calls, including texts and file sharing. Best of all.. compatible with Mac and PC with all the features on both platforms.
Ditch the rest.
I love to video conference. I would like to know if anyone knows how to expand the video window using Windows live messenger. I use vsee and so far have not seen it’s equal. If you want a true video calling experience go to [vsee.com] and try it for really clear video and sound. Some people are a little squeamish about the snapshot capability in Skype. Skype will give you a full screen video also. In vsee you can put multiple webcams on at the same time.
At $50 a month, I’m not sure vsee.com is really worth comparing to iChat, Skype, and Live Messenger. For multichat that you have to pay for ooVoo is considerably cheaper than vsee. Although i can’t comment on quality at that level, prices is less than half at $18 per month (at this moment of writing). And they include a variety of plans with 3, 4, and 6 way video calling.
I use a MacBook with the built in iChat which is absolutely fantastic just as you describe! If you compare the two side by side, The mac can support up to 4 video chat windows at the same time pretty well. The performance on the Windows PC is barely tolerable having just 1. Another video chat option IF you can get your Windows friends to pony up is to get them to install and use free AIM for video messaging which works really well with the Mac.
I have an Apple and use both Leopard and XP Pro on it. I’m a life time MS user and have a ton of software and that history. With an Apple most of the software you need comes with it. I find using Skype the best way to communicate with MS user on their IM. All the other IMs work great using iChat. I find Skype works better than MS communicator for video-even when I have messenger to messenger communication. In doing so, I also find myself using Skype a lot more particularly internationally. I can also use Skype with my iTouch-but with no video