According to Blognation, there is a new Facebook IM client by the name of friendvox going into beta as of this Friday. This new app requires no download or install and therefore represents another revolution for a widely used existing generic online service on the back of the facebook platform.
Most existing IM clients such as MSN require some type of download. This new service on facebook could do away with the need for downloaded IM software. As Sam on blognation also points out, the benefit of facebook’s open platform approach is growing more and more obvious by the day. This new open approach will soon force other large players to re-consider their ‘closed’ and ‘proprietary’ positions.
The success of the new facebook IM app will depend on the continued (rapid) growth of the facebook community. There will surely be a number of die hard MSN and ICQ users. We must also not forget the other IM service aggregators like meebo. There is potential for a bit of an IM service land grab on facebook here for sure.
Who ever wins the IM land-grab on facebook will do well. Am I the only one who is forever frustrated by having a network of friends that all choose different IM services? I currently prefer Google Talk, however, I have a number of friends that prefer to use MSN. To be able to communicate with my facebook network using IM will be another reason for me to never leave facebook.
