With the development of modern technologies, web applications are no longer limited to only one access device, such as desktop PC. Applications that are limited to a single device are less valuable than those that are connected.
One of the application i am going to introduce is Meebo. Meebo is a social platform connecting users with their friends across the web. Like Ebuddy, Meebo is a browser based instant messaging program which supported multiple IM services, including Yahoo! Messenger, Windows Live Messenger, AIM, ICQ, MySpaceIM, Facebook Chat, Google Talk, CafeMom and others. Not only can Meebo be used on a desktop, it can also be integrated into Iphones, Blackberry and Android users. No matter where you are, as long as you have installed the software application into one of those mobile devices you can instant message anyone on the go.
One of the advantage of using Meebo is that it allows some people who are behind firewalled networks (networks that block the various instant messaging protocols but have not blocked the meebo.com domain name) to connect to instant messaging services due to the fact the user connects to only port 443 (HTTPS) and the Meebo service itself then connects to the various instant messaging protocols.
Meebo also incorporated “Meebo Rooms”. Users of Meebo can connect to chat rooms or host their own for which multiple friends can join and chat. Meebo Rooms also grants a degree of control to the user with invite and ban authority. Classic Meebo was updated to reflect the release prior to Meebo Rooms to allow users with outdated browsers to continue to use meebo.
In brief, Meebo is pretty popular web application which is associated with web browsers and mobile devices. It works as a kind of media that can link to different types of devices. As a consequence, this independent messaging service well characterizes the pattern of Software above the level of a single device.
References:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tV965SZNcrY&feature=related
http://radar.oreilly.com/2007/11/software-above-the-level-of-a.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meebo
xxlesliexx 
Hi Leslie,
Meebo is a really good example of this pattern – especially on iPhone where you become reachable anywhere because the service is not device-dependant. One thing I have realised is that Meebo doesn’t really take the topic of location into consideration, so is missing out on some of the pattern’s values. I have a few ideas Meebo could implement, like knowing if you are in a certain location (e.g. university lecture rooms) not to interrupt you or make noises that you have a new message, and also showing you what friends are around you in real time. How do you think Meebo could integrate location to build on their use of the software above the level of a single device design pattern?
u mean integrate something like foursquare application into the meebo software? Its rather a good idea to do so i guess.
I’ve never heard of Meebo, so good to know. Especially, the fact that Meebo service connects to the various instant messaging protocols is quite interesting for me. Thanks for good article. I need to think about it more….
There is another similar software application like Meebo, which is imo.im. You can check this out if you are free.
Hey your blog was great to read. I will check out Meebo, as I have never heard of it before. It’s great that users are able to use it on their mobile devices too so that they’re not just limited to a desktop.
Alot of other applications has this traits as well. It is just a matter of discovering more similar application like this.
You are entering your email and password into a third party instead of straight into Yahoo Messenger, Windows Live Messenger etc. Dont you feel your information can be stolen or altered? Does Meebo have a policy on storing and the use of personal information?
I would say it is as safe as MSN and it has a policy on privacy. You can read it online.