Trillian Astra Enters Public Beta: Does Anyone Still Care?
Nearly three years ago, internet users were buzzing about the upcoming new version of the multi-network instant messaging program from Trillian, a software application that would be called "Astra." But as time went on, Trillian just couldn't deliver. Eventually, we all moved on...to Digsby, to Meebo, and to plain ol' Google Talk, which we could easily access from our email inboxes.
Then, out of the blue, Trillian Astra emerged into private beta last month, although how "private" a beta is debatable - it seemed anyone asking got an invite. Now, the Trillian blog is announcing that Astra has gone public - no invite code needed.
Yet as the long-anticipated Astra finally emerges, we have to wonder is it "too little, too late" for this company?
What's to Like in Astra
After years of development, you would expect to be blown away by Astra, wouldn't you? We might not go that far, but we can say that Astra is a solid multi-protocol IM client. It supports the usual IM networks (Yahoo, Google, ICQ, Windows Live, AOL, Jabber/XMPP) as well as other services like MySpace, Facebook, Skype, and Twitter. You can even use the program to keep tabs on your various email accounts, both web-based and POP3/IMAP.
New to the software are a couple of different reply options - a standard reply and a "quick reply." You can choose which one you want by clicking the corresponding button on the pop-up notification. A standard reply opens the main chat window while the quick reply opens a text field in the pop-up window where you can type out your message.
The Astra software is extensible, too, and comes pre-loaded with a Widget Gallery where you can pick and choose widgets to add to your contact list. Some of the widgets include a countdown timer, a weather widget, and a flickr widget.
What's Annoying
Despite having 40 themes to choose from, I just couldn't get comfortable with Astra's UI. Your experience may differ. The problem has to do with a lack of contrasting colors in the themes, leaving some text so light, it was nearly impossible to see. The default font size didn't help either. Other buttons like the dash (-) and the plus sign (+), to collapse or expand windows, were so small that they, too, became nearly invisible.
Another annoyance has to do with email notifications. If you click on the new email pop-ups to read your latest message, Astra opens your inbox in a new browser window...with every pop-up you click, that is. After checking your email a handful of times, you're left with a crowded web browser filled with inbox tab after inbox tab.
After Three Years, This is All We Get?
The main problem with Astra is not that it's a bad IM client. It's solid, it does a good job, and it even has some nifty features to boot like the widgets or the "meta-contact" feature which lets you merge multiple contacts into one for friends that have identities on numerous networks.
The problem with Astra is that after being in development for this long, we expected something downright revolutionary. Something divine. What we got instead was a rather ordinary piece of software that can't even come close to capturing the excitement we once had as we anxiously awaited its release years ago.
Maybe we've outgrown the need for multi-client programs anyway. Really, most of our friends are on Google Chat or Skype these days and those that aren't are on Twitter and Facebook. It's not really that much of a hassle to open the appropriate program, or send a tweet when we can't IM, or even just write on their wall.
In fact, while we waited for Astra, we watched Twitter grow from tiny startup to international sensation. At this point, we'd rather tweet than IM in many cases, and while, yes, we can do that from Trillian, we can do it from a number of other Twitter clients, too. Today, it's almost like Trillian doesn't just compete with Digsby and Meebo, but it also has to fight the TweetDecks and Mixeros of the world, too.
In the end, there isn't anything particularly bad about Astra, there just isn't anything truly amazing either. We doubt its release will change our current habits, but that's just us. If you think you'll use Astra, tell us why in the comments. Or if you feel the same as we do, let us know that as well.
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i don't ...
Posted by: Ahmad Nassri
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June 10, 2009 7:33 AM
No, I forgot all about Trillian myself.
Posted by: Adam Kinney
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June 10, 2009 7:33 AM
Yay! I thought it will never happened
Posted by: ArtemKo
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June 10, 2009 7:36 AM
I was a huge fan of Trillian years ago - so much so that I got everyone within my old work environment on the platform. Once Google talk came out and the pro product was needed we all switched. I remember high hopes for Astra but only in private beta everyone moved on. Getting people to switch now is tough and the new UI seems like it could benefit from 5-10 users feedback immediately as you suggested (colors, light text, unreadable URLs, etc...) I really wanted to use Astra too, but now that I have other systems in place that have the "it works" feature I just cant switch.
Unfortunately this is too little, too late (and I loved Trillian). Meebo's existence changes everything.
It comes with other skins which make it look more standard or like the previous Trillian
It took 3 years not just for the software but also for them to write the ASTRA server so they can make more features
Way too little too late. I've been an Astra tester from the beginning and I just stopped testing when Digsby came out (and then Twitter exploded). Astra simply is out of date before they will even have released it.
I certainly still care. I use AIM, ICQ, gtalk, and Yahoo IM. I am constantly switching between them answering IMs. Talk about going crazy ;)
I'm going to have to give this one a whirl. I was a long time Trillian user and I still have a few contacts in AIM/Y!/etc. that hang around. Like most, I kind of stopped using it when Google Talk came online.
Now that I'm starting to use Facebook and Twitter more, having a nice "client" that can run and track everything while I writing some code at night beats having to leave the browser window open.
Well 3 years for a software sounds interesting and also cheap. Well nice review lets see how it will gonna work.
when i left my dell for a macbook i was astonished to see how well adium worked. create metacontacts via dragndrop? neat!
astra would have left me thrilled 3 years ago. now it's "Yawn! you finally ready?!"
With a price tag of $25, I don't think so. I was a previous trillian pro member which will allow me to purchase Astra for $10 however I don't think it is even worth that much compared to the other options. I particularly like Pidgin. Trillian Astra is nice and shiny but it is definitely too little, too late.
A man can not always think the same things you need to consider different
I must say i disagree with Sarah. i think that while Digsby is good you cannot say it is as good as Trillian Astra Pro is. there is no other multi-client that supports all the IM services at the level Trillian does and that on top of that offers plugins and theming support in the way they do. so there is clearly not too late.
However i do agree that it took way too long. if it had shipped one year ago it would have blown away everyone. now it is good and great depending on the level of the user.
But the only problem is that while the internals of the app are really really impressive given the performance it got, the interface is now outdated because it was designed for Vista launch 3 years ago.
So i think the only think they need is to do a UI-UX revamp and a price cut and they would be ok. i imagine how good Trillian Astra would be if its interface was like more like what you get now in Social Messaging apps.
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IMO, IM is practically dead, which renders Astra irrelevant. The only people I know who still use IM are those who work at a computer all day. Some use it for inter-office communication & file exchange. Instant messaging was effectially supplanted by (sms) text messages about two years ago. The prolification of cell phones (most people have them now) have replaced instant messaging for the common person. SMS messages are as fast as IMs, you can send pictures, videos & URLs and the SMS device (cell phone) is carried on the person throughout the day. Those who are left using IM are those who co-work remotely or, as said above, use it for inter-office communique. And as states by previous commenters, many of those working folks have already switched to other IM methods or tools, while Astra gives them little to no reason to switch back. The only remaining use for IM to the normal person is as a free alternative to the absurdly prices wireless providers charge for SMS messages (SMS is prebuilt into the wireless phone channel)....
I progressively looked forward to this day less and less. Finally, I saw it had come.
Downloaded immediately, and less than ten minutes after pressing download, I was pressing uninstall and returning to Digsby.
They expect cash money for this?
Will people ever stop pushing version rap numbers on the web!
http://www.hiphopalemi.net/Sohbet.asp .
I was a trillian alpha tester, way back in the old school days of interoperability. I still remember having to switch between msn messenger and trillian every other day as AOL tried to keep me from getting my contacts on one or the other that day.
That said, when the new Astra went into private beta, i got me an invite and tried it out. +1 to cerulean studios for allowing jabber/gtalk to be in the free version this time.
Basically, i gotta say though, i agree, Astra is a BUST compared to Digsby, except in the way it handles twitter direct messages (much better than digsby). download digsby, use it, love it.
and whoever said you can't skin digsby hasn't used it lately, i'd say.
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YEMEK TARİFLERİ