I saw this on the market, I hadn't seen it before so I don't know whether it is new or it has just been updated but there are no reviews of it and I can't read the website so I'm not sure what to think of this app really.
http://www.cyrket.com/package/oms.sns.facebook
I haven't purchased it so I don't know if it is any good. Have any of you guys seen this before?
Thanks,
Simon.
Yeah it is new as I just noticed it as well. Anyone wanna take the dive and purchase and post impressions?
hmm based on that one review doesn't seem good :/
probably just another mobile facebook wrapper.
I emailed the Dev, asked him if it's a native app using FB's APIs or a wrapper, and asked for screenshots.
We'll see what he says.
Got a reply:
From Email said:
Hi Jordan,
Mobile Facebook is a native application, not by Browser, which using Facebook APIs,
FBook is a Browser,
Our application is totle different from FBook, we can access Facebook very fast, and also enable user access wall message, phonebook, friends information,
Enable you upload photo, video to Facebook,
Show news feed,
We will find a website to show more information about Mobile Facebook.
Thanks your mails
Regards
Huadong
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He sent me a ton of screenshots of the app in use. Screenshot attachments continue in the next post.
Continued screenshots.
Conclusion: The app doesn't look as pretty as Bloo does, but it looks far more powerful and integrated. I don't know if it's worth the $3.50, though.
I like Babbler myself. The first true native Facebook app.
Is it just me, or are those screenshots totally confusing? It's not the language barrier per-se, but I can't tell what any of those pages are supposed to be showing.
The thing that has me wondering though is, I thought there was no mail API - that's why Bloo and the others don't have mail yet.
Edit: Ok, I downloaded it and took some screenies of my own.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nolageek2/sets/72157621869871714/
My opinion - it does a LOT. But it's kinda fugly and not fun or intuitive to use. I couldn't figure out how to view people's photos or reply to their wall posts, but I only had it for about 10 minutes and decided that I didn't like it enough to keep playing with it.
You could reply to e-mail, that was kind of cool. You couldn't do it from the message-read page though, you had to long-press on the message title on the message-list screen.
Mail is the only thing I saw that this has that Bloo doesn't (I haven't used babble). And with blue it's a LOT easier to comment on walls, photos, etc...
As you can see though, from the screenshots, it's got a LOT of options, so maybe I missed something.
Thanks for the review, nolageek.
If the interface improves, I wouldn't mind trying it. It'd be nice as well if the author could share their hacks with the Bloo and Babbler devs. Unless he's just recoding the HTML from the m.facebook.com site.
i like bloo the best so far, but i'm going to reserve judgment until the official app comes out next week.
nolageek said:
Is it just me, or are those screenshots totally confusing? It's not the language barrier per-se, but I can't tell what any of those pages are supposed to be showing.
The thing that has me wondering though is, I thought there was no mail API - that's why Bloo and the others don't have mail yet.
Edit: Ok, I downloaded it and took some screenies of my own.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nolageek2/sets/72157621869871714/
My opinion - it does a LOT. But it's kinda fugly and not fun or intuitive to use. I couldn't figure out how to view people's photos or reply to their wall posts, but I only had it for about 10 minutes and decided that I didn't like it enough to keep playing with it.
You could reply to e-mail, that was kind of cool. You couldn't do it from the message-read page though, you had to long-press on the message title on the message-list screen.
Mail is the only thing I saw that this has that Bloo doesn't (I haven't used babble). And with blue it's a LOT easier to comment on walls, photos, etc...
As you can see though, from the screenshots, it's got a LOT of options, so maybe I missed something.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Apps like Babbler and Bloo *could* do mail, but if they did they wouldn't be an officially approved Facebook app, since they wouldn't be following the guidelines of using strictly the API.
Neither of them are an officially approved Facebook app. There is no officially approved Facebook app, and no official Facebook app anyway.
And Babbler originally had mail, but it redirected users to the mobile site. Kind of a botched version. They've since dropped it in favor of pure API access.
kusotare said:
i like bloo the best so far, but i'm going to reserve judgment until the official app comes out next week.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Whats this about an official app next week now?
I don't like any of the facebook apps, I use the facebook mobile site ESPECIALLY for android.
x.Facebook.com -----Thats the best so far...don't use m.facebook.com
You can do what ever you want there...
Ultimate Chin said:
Whats this about an official app next week now?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
there is rumored to be an official facebook app releasing with the launch of the MT3G, which happens next week. I see this as being strongly possible seeing as facebook, after years of TMO hating, just decided to open up mobile alerts for TMO customers.
It's not just T-Mobile they hate, it's Google as well.
jordanjay29 said:
it's not just t-mobile they hate, it's google as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
double hate!!
jordanjay29 said:
Neither of them are an officially approved Facebook app. There is no officially approved Facebook app, and no official Facebook app anyway.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
wrong. there is a difference between an "official" app and an "approved" app. facebook approves apps and puts them on the web site if they follow all of their guidelines for apps. since facebook has announced they are making their own OFFICIAL app, they aren't listing android mobile apps anymore.
SportsFan26 said:
x.Facebook.com -----Thats the best so far...don't use m.facebook.com
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not made for android. Made for all phones not iphone. But same page. Have you compared that feed to the real site? Its brutal. 1st few items are new, and then it just tosses a bunch of crap in from 24 hours ago or older. For anyone that uses facebook a few times a day, x.facebook is awful. Pretty tabs, but if feed is wrong, useless
Related
The android community is a day or two from the release of the MyTouch3g.
Rumors Have spread that there will be a official release from FacebOok.
Who knows? We just have to wait a little more to timeout.
I came accross Blabber and fbchat which compared to the mobile web version and full web version, gives better function than the browser. Fbchat is great for instant chatting online.
Bloo is also another Facebook app, its functions seem to be limitied! If you haven't tried it take a look for more info about the app. One advantage bloo has is that it has a cleaner UI.
WHAT I'M IMPROVMENTS SHOULD BE MADE? each application should borrow a few tricks from each other to implement a more complete build.
Blabber combined with fbchat for start if its possible?
Maybe a joint project between them? Blooblabberchat lol that sounds great I know! I should copyright it.
Ok to end the creators are up for a big challenge when the official FaceBoOk for Android is released. So let's give them FEEDBaCK and ideas to continue their hard work?????????
Chat can't be in either babbler or bloo because the facebook api doesn't allow it. Here are a few threads talking about the different facebook apps and one of them talks about the chat functionality. Also about the official facebook app which if the rumors are true isn't that special.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=542118
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=533226
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=540738
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=526798
BSDADON said:
Chat can't be in either babbler or bloo because the facebook api doesn't allow it. Here are a few threads talking about the different facebook apps and one of them talks about the chat functionality. Also about the official facebook app which if the rumors are true isn't that special.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=542118
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=533226
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=540738
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=526798
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same with inbox, in case anyone is wondering about that
k gotya i wasnt sure about all of that, i think it might just need to be cleaned up some.
lets just hope!!
For all those of you waiting for the official Facebook app and who haven't yet taken the leap and purchased the Bloo - Native Facebook App, heads up!
Starting tomorrow, Monday August 10th, through Tuesday August 11th, you can download Bloo for...absolutely nothing.
That's right, for...free!
According to its author, Bloo has gained over 6000 users since its first release, and because of that, he's promoting the application and giving it away free for 48 hours!
Now, if you're like me and you paid for it already, please don't complain. If you really don't have $1.49 to spare after paying your phone bill, then send a message to Dimitris. Otherwise, be happy that Bloo is gaining so much momentum, and that this promotion should draw in even more users.
As of today, Bloo 1.3.2's future feature list includes the following features:
Stream Facebook Filtering: You have been waiting for this. The ability to filter your posts based on your Facebook filters.
Expanded Stream: Show all posts even from other applications (such as the mighty Quiz app everyone wants!). Of course, for those who love (including me) the simpler stream there will be an option.
Notification links: Ability to click on a notification to take you where it is supposed to take you.
Gallery sharing: Instantly upload a photo from your Gallery.
So grab it tomorrow or Tuesday for free, and get in on the most beautiful native Facebook app for Android!
Check out more info on Bloo's website at http://fbandroid.wordpress.com/.
i am for sure getting this
jordanjay29 said:
For all those of you waiting for the official Facebook app and who haven't yet taken the leap and purchased the Bloo - Native Facebook App, heads up!
Starting tomorrow, Monday August 10th, through Tuesday August 11th, you can download Bloo for...absolutely nothing.
That's right, for...free!
According to its author, Bloo has gained over 6000 users since its first release, and because of that, he's promoting the application and giving it away free for 48 hours!
Now, if you're like me and you paid for it already, please don't complain. If you really don't have $1.49 to spare after paying your phone bill, then send a message to Dimitris. Otherwise, be happy that Bloo is gaining so much momentum, and that this promotion should draw in even more users.
As of today, Bloo 1.3.2's future feature list includes the following features:
Stream Facebook Filtering: You have been waiting for this. The ability to filter your posts based on your Facebook filters.
Expanded Stream: Show all posts even from other applications (such as the mighty Quiz app everyone wants!). Of course, for those who love (including me) the simpler stream there will be an option.
Notification links: Ability to click on a notification to take you where it is supposed to take you.
Gallery sharing: Instantly upload a photo from your Gallery.
So grab it tomorrow or Tuesday for free, and get in on the most beautiful native Facebook app for Android!
Check out more info on Bloo's website at http://fbandroid.wordpress.com/.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm only seeing 1.3.1 in the Market.
Edit: Nevermind. I see on his blog it isn't out yet.
uberingram said:
I'm only seeing 1.3.1 in the Market.
Edit: Nevermind. I see on his blog it isn't out yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, it's the future feature list. Full streaming is what I've been waiting for, and I'm so excited it's actually coming!
I use Bloo every day, its pretty good. its abit annoying that he is releasing it for free.
I am looking forward to the update.
How is this better than Babbler?
AndyCr15 said:
How is this better than Babbler?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
wait a few hours, download it and see for yourself... cant hurt to try... especially when it is free... BTW, Babbler Full is also on sale for a buck for a limited time.
still shows as a paid app oO
still shows paid for me too.
Fingerlickin said:
still shows paid for me too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since it is still Monday, August 10th... I wouldn't be terribly surprised by that.
nEx.Software said:
Since it is still Monday, August 10th... I wouldn't be terribly surprised by that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe he's in a different timezone lol, It is 3am in Honolulu....
He's in Greece, I believe. So ahead of the US. Maybe Google's just taking its own sweet time in updating their servers.
nEx.Software said:
Since it is still Monday, August 10th... I wouldn't be terribly surprised by that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, Monday... when it's supposed to be free isn't it? Monday to Tuesday?
jordanjay29 said:
He's in Greece, I believe. So ahead of the US. Maybe Google's just taking its own sweet time in updating their servers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Or maybe it's called having a life?
damn its nice to see someone making money in the market. if its true that he sold 6000+ copies in one month then he made $9000 (minus any fees). Thats pretty cool.
It's still $1.49. I would pay and just to download I now, but I chose to be patient and get it for free lol. Are you sure the dev is going to make it free? If not, I'm just going to buy it.
DOHCtor said:
It's still $1.49. I would pay and just to download I now, but I chose to be patient and get it for free lol. Are you sure the dev is going to make it free? If not, I'm just going to buy it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://fbandroid.wordpress.com/ it says so on his site but he could be messing with us.
Paging Dr B said:
http://fbandroid.wordpress.com/ it says so on his site but he could be messing with us.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just bought it. $1.49 is nothing, I'll skip out on my cup of coffee today
It's worth it. It's a great app and glad I ran across it.
it's available in the market now!!!
Have you all noticed that Facebook, twitter, and other networks try to take over the world? Facebook in skyfire now, facebook is everywhere with "like" buttons, Social Networks are forced by freaking Motoblur, people reporting each their step: "I just ate Icecream!" "I just saw some weird dude." "People what to do? I got a ticket!"
Get your butt out of the computer/cellphone and go to the beach watch a sunset! Let your brain free for at least a moment!
While checking email in the morning, I see hundreds of posts from people about what they did on a hourly basis.
So pathetic. After all this I really want to delete facebook and add it to all possible filters.
What is your opinion of such invasion and zombification?
I say xda is better than facebook...
You can meet intellecual minds here
I agree, but they are not taking over the world, they are taking over people who are stupid enough to think that facebook is their life.
+1!
Completely agree.
husam666 said:
I say xda is better than facebook...
You can meet intellecual minds here
I agree, but they are not taking over the world, they are taking over people who are stupid enough to think that facebook is their life.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 to everything already said. I was starting to think i was the only person left in the world who wasn't on Facespace/Mybook etc.
XDA is still the best place for social notworking. In fact i'm notworking right now!
husam666 said:
I say xda is better than facebook...
You can meet intellecual minds here
I agree, but they are not taking over the world, they are taking over people who are stupid enough to think that facebook is their life.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
just dont add the idiots and ppl u dislike ... its simple really if u have some respect for yourself and dont worry about them getting upset at you ... its your life
This is a silly thread, of course they're not going to take over the world
Llama's already have
Its strange how people used to share things such as photos, and sentimental things in real life. And now people cant wait to upload to facebook.
I must confess i'm a twitter addict though (hopefully not in the: "i'm eating a sandwich kinda way")
It's only a fad. I remember the days when Friendster was cool and everyone was on it. Then came MySpace, and in that got canned with Facebook. Once FB floats, investors are gonna put a lot of pressure on the management to monetize their assets (users) and this is gonna push the engineers to their peak frustration. They'll start using codes that users hate, and sooner or later a new social network will start, and the cycle begins anew.
sakai4eva said:
It's only a fad. I remember the days when Friendster was cool and everyone was on it. Then came MySpace, and in that got canned with Facebook. Once FB floats, investors are gonna put a lot of pressure on the management to monetize their assets (users) and this is gonna push the engineers to their peak frustration. They'll start using codes that users hate, and sooner or later a new social network will start, and the cycle begins anew.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ha, the first social site I was on was bolt.com and that was 11 years ago. They haven't changed that much. Its just how other feel about them.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
Coldskiesfullofblue said:
Ha, the first social site I was on was bolt.com and that was 11 years ago. They haven't changed that much. Its just how other feel about them.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And this changes the cycle because...
sakai4eva said:
And this changes the cycle because...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The cycle doesn't change. Its the same thing with a trendy new presentation. Maybe a single new feature.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
Coldskiesfullofblue said:
The cycle doesn't change. Its the same thing with a trendy new presentation. Maybe a single new feature.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why does that sound suspiciously like... an Apple product?
sakai4eva said:
Why does that sound suspiciously like... an Apple product?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, pumped full or carcinogens (echo)Steve Jobs?
I'm sure you want your last computer you'll ever use to be pretty.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
It's Web 2.0. Social Networks take over the world. What's the next step?
How you can call this a silly thread when off topic is full of silly/****ty/non sense threads in more than 96% of it´s all content?
In fact this is one of the few interesting threads where even the only posting trolls or jokes made a serious comment! FANTASTIC thread I say!
OT will have to change, seriously if not happens it will die
MacaronyMax said:
This is a silly thread, of course they're not going to take over the world
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im just getting really annoyed by facebook, twitter, and myspace stuff forced upon me. I install something, there yahoo toolbar forced, or facebook link.
I keep facebook just as an easy connection to friends, but not as my way of life. I go to facebook anytime and i see at least 10 of my friends sitting out there, where 9 out of these 10 post all what they did.
I also loved skyfire, but now its impossible to use it on my Magic at all. Instead of making that, they could have fixed video errors, that happen in 2 out of 3 videos. Plus there were no single movie that I could finish without an error.
Off topic: You guys should have seen the computer at my temporary workplace. It had 150 toolbars installed on IE, Starting from yahoo toolbar and ending with facebook toolbar. All kinds of notifiers and BS, forced on the noobs. Took me 2 hours to clean everything from it, including hundreds of viruses and bs.
It is clearly obvious that the goal of each social network is to capture people as many as possible. Alone I do not blame them. For the most part it is people's fault.
I was growing up in Ukraine, and a computer was something that we did once a month (if lucky enough). We did anything possible, from fishing to exploring... Were out from sunrise till sundown.
Even shared photos and proposed to girls in PERSON. Now people breaking up on freaking facebook, and seek a remedy for their problems...
AntonJart said:
Im just getting really annoyed by facebook, twitter, and myspace stuff forced upon me. I install something, there yahoo toolbar forced, or facebook link.
I keep facebook just as an easy connection to friends, but not as my way of life. I go to facebook anytime and i see at least 10 of my friends sitting out there, where 9 out of these 10 post all what they did.
I also loved skyfire, but now its impossible to use it on my Magic at all. Instead of making that, they could have fixed video errors, that happen in 2 out of 3 videos. Plus there were no single movie that I could finish without an error.
Off topic: You guys should have seen the computer at my temporary workplace. It had 150 toolbars installed on IE, Starting from yahoo toolbar and ending with facebook toolbar. All kinds of notifiers and BS, forced on the noobs. Took me 2 hours to clean everything from it, including hundreds of viruses and bs.
It is clearly obvious that the goal of each social network is to capture people as many as possible. Alone I do not blame them. For the most part it is people's fault.
I was growing up in Ukraine, and a computer was something that we did once a month (if lucky enough). We did anything possible, from fishing to exploring... Were out from sunrise till sundown.
Even shared photos and proposed to girls in PERSON. Now people breaking up on freaking facebook, and seek a remedy for their problems...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I drove 2 hours to try to break up with my girlfriend. I just couldn't do it over the phone. It wouldn't be fair. In the end we decided to stick with each other. I like to think I'm a happier man for that
ChrisAnderson said:
It's Web 2.0. Social Networks take over the world. What's the next step?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
next step will be lowered monthly bill for web2.0 and raised monthly bill for old web ... naturally most folks will flock to the cheaper web2.0 "becuz thats what they use anyway" and by this happening , slowly will form a whitelist of "big sites" where users have a net id to sign in and u can be moderated , banned and sanctionated . the isp's will be free to push select sites(read :who they get the best offers from) at the users while the truly free internet , where anyone can make their own , and speak out , shall slowly fade away
souljaboy said:
next step will be lowered monthly bill for web2.0 and raised monthly bill for old web ... naturally most folks will flock to the cheaper web2.0 "becuz thats what they use anyway" and by this happening , slowly will form a whitelist of "big sites" where users have a net id to sign in and u can be moderated , banned and sanctionated . the isp's will be free to push select sites(read :who they get the best offers from) at the users while the truly free internet , where anyone can make their own , and speak out , shall slowly fade away
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, it's turning the other way around. The big players were bouncing around the idea of charging users more if they go to popular sites like FB and Google.
IDK why is the Op so facebook/social networks hater,
i dont have any toolbar nor viruses, eventhough i dont use an antivrus software or anything.
i have a fb account and i use it only for people i know... no need for strangers, they are always rejected...
It is an app, but its not here. But I figure you cant change or tweek what you cant have or use, so if anyone wants an invite just PM me your gmail and I will send you an invite. I figure this way we can tweek the app to be transparent or change the icon or something...
r0nin ar1es said:
It is an app, but its not here. But I figure you cant change or tweek what you cant have or use, so if anyone wants an invite just PM me your gmail and I will send you an invite. I figure this way we can tweek the app to be transparent or change the icon or something...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is already a transparent one here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=15267121&postcount=634
****, i want an invite regardless. cant wait to kill facebook.
Sent via the Matrix
fromchaos0646 said:
****, i want an invite regardless. cant wait to kill facebook.
Sent via the Matrix
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not happening. In case you didn't notice there is a lack of female interest in Google+.
063_XOBX said:
Not happening. In case you didn't notice there is a lack of female interest in Google+.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's simply because girls are already drawn to Facebook and wouldn't want to port over all their info from Facebook to Google+ if they have all their friends on Facebook.
I'm not saying Google+ will beat Facebook, but it's not impossible. I have hope.
063_XOBX said:
Not happening. In case you didn't notice there is a lack of female interest in Google+.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i didnt realize i needed a social network to score women. i was under the impression that im already popular with the ladies and can get some, like i said, without a social network.
either way, there will come a certain point in time where google+ might possibly overtake facebook. just like facebook overtook myspace. and all other social networking sites. although im not sure if it will be apple friendly. that might affect the popularity.
Sent via the Matrix
Back to the facts, that widget is absolutely awesome.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
Im not sure why there are so many threads on XDA about this, but I really don't understand all of the hype. Im running Google+ now on my NS4G and don't see it even coming close to FB. I think a lot of people are going to be disappointed when they finally get to use it. That's just my opinion, but we will have to wait and see how it does.
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using XDA Premium App
fromchaos0646 said:
i didnt realize i needed a social network to score women. i was under the impression that im already popular with the ladies and can get some, like i said, without a social network.
either way, there will come a certain point in time where google+ might possibly overtake facebook. just like facebook overtook myspace. and all other social networking sites. although im not sure if it will be apple friendly. that might affect the popularity.
Sent via the Matrix
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You obviously missed my point.
Without female support social networking would've never reached it's current height, it would be just another internet pipe dream. Whether it's guys trying to "pick up chicks" or just the fact that women are ~50% of the population, having a female presence is essential if Google+ is to get anywhere.
dazednconfused said:
Im not sure why there are so many threads on XDA about this, but I really don't understand all of the hype. Im running Google+ now on my NS4G and don't see it even coming close to FB. I think a lot of people are going to be disappointed when they finally get to use it. That's just my opinion, but we will have to wait and see how it does.
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, I was all about using it, till I used it; Don't forget its still beta, isn't voice stil in beta, hell even maps is beta stil lol, now that's a joke...
Help support autism awareness,it only takes 2 seconds to help make a difference...
http://picketfenceblogs.com/vote/3616
Sent from MyEF02 using XDAPA...
Hey all!
Is anyone using Google Hangouts? What's the deal there? Anyone use it for work to chat with colleagues if international?
I'm really bad with these social new inventions, so trying to catch up with the speed, so if any one has an scenarios to share, that would be awesome!
Most of the time people hangout just to have some random discussions.
It's simple, try not to be a jerk and don't join hangouts when you don't have a webcam.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Thanks! Are there any sites with hangout lists based on subject?
okishead said:
Thanks! Are there any sites with hangout lists based on subject?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go on... have a guess how I found this
http://gphangouts.com/
Well, haven't used. Still old-fashioned!
Long story short.... I recently bought an Android stick for my TV and bought a webcam for it so I could video Skype with mates. The first one I bought wasn't compatible so I bought another one (they were both cheap and cheerful).
Since I now have a spare one I hooked it up to my PC and decided to give public hangouts a try.
My above link doesn't work for public hangouts, and I've searched on G+ for #hangoutpost which does find some, but does anyone know a way to find all public hangouts? I've been in a couple but want to find more to give it a real try.
google hangout is pretty useful. its a free up-to-6 webcam pretty much. cool features are you can play some games (not sure which ones), you can all watch the same youtube video and comment on it and stuff, and its just pretty clean. when someone talks it puts that person on the main screen and transitions pretty well