Over the years since I have been blogging, I have developed an ongoing professional relationship with various software developers mostly in the mobile arena. The longest lasting and closest relationship has been with Nimbuzz, an application that supports multiple platforms and IM networks. Before I discuss the product, I have to say that what impresses me about Nimbuzz as a company is the fact that while they add a whopping 1 million new users monthly, they actually spend the time listening to feedback and implementing it as well.

Nimbuzz is always on the cutting edge and the developers never seem to rest. Their iPhone app is top notch and is updated frequently. They recently released a Mac version that I was testing out for months, one of my top 10 Mac applications (you can watch it in action in the video below). Now, with the growing popularity of Google’s mobile operating system, Android, the boys over at Nimbuzz thought it was time they got in the Android game. The new app, which is free and available as of today, includes Facebook Chat, Google Talk, AIM, Yahoo! Messenger, Windows Live Messenger, ICQ, and many more!

I have been testing out the app, and let me tell you, it is no disappointment. The interface is clean and easy on the eyes, and it is packed with features and different network options. To just name a few of the features in the Nimbuzz Android version, it has the following:

• Smart Buddy List Layout: Displays both avatar and presence information of your contacts, as well as community and resource identification (if the contact is on a mobile or computer)
• Time Sensitive UI: This is an interesting one. Not sure I have seen this anywhere else. If you press shortly on your contact, you can view their profile, and if you press longer, it opens a chat.
• Home Screen Notifications: Run Nimbuzz in the background and receive notifications when someone contacts you.
• Clickable URLs:  Click a URL within Nimbuzz opens a browser, and you are able to switch easily between browser and app. Also, share YouTube videos or Wikipedia information easily from within the app.
• Auto Reconnect: A seamless interruption free use of Nimbuzz when switching between 2G, 3G, and Wifi. If for some reason, you ARE disconnected, the app automatically reconnects.
• Local and Unique Networks: Nimbuzz on Android enables you to chat with your Skype contacts, a unique feature to Nimbuzz users. The new app also supports local social networks such as Hyves in the Netherlands, StudiVZ from Germany, Gagu Gadu from Poland, and Giovani from Italy.

Nimbuzz has had some serious milestones lately including the new Toshiba TG01 Snapdragon device shipping with Nimbuzz preinstalled. Nimbuzz was also recognized as the Best Mobile Startup by TechCrunch France as well as recognition in the Top Global 250 tech company by the AlwaysOn Stanford Summit.

The bottom line is, Nimbuzz has done it again. Most mobile experts predict that Android will gain a significant market share in the coming years, and Nimbuzz, as usual, is first on the scene.

On a personal basis, it has been great working with the staff of Nimbuzz, they are all extremely hard working and courteous. On a professional level, Nimbuzz never ceases to amaze and impress me, and this new release is no exception!

-Hillel