EBuddy

{{Short description|Instant messaging software}} {{lowercase title}} {{Infobox website | name = eBuddy | logo = frameless|upright=0.25 | company_type = Private | screenshot = | caption = | location = Amsterdam, Netherlands | url = {{URL|https://www.ebuddy.com/}} | services = Instant messaging | registration = Optional | language = Multilingual | launch_date = {{start date and age|2003}} | current_status = Active | founder = Paulo Taylor<br />Jan-Joost Rueb<br />Onno Bakker }}

'''eBuddy''' is a privately held Dutch software company that offers instant messaging services. As of 2011, eBuddy reported 100 million downloads.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://crackberry.com/ebuddy-xms-now-available-blackberry-and-hoping-win-you-over | title=EBuddy XMS now available for BlackBerry and hoping to win you over | date=14 September 2011 }}</ref> The company's flagship service is '''XMS''', a proprietary cross-platform instant messaging service.<ref name="techcrunch.com">{{cite web | url=https://techcrunch.com/2011/03/17/sms-on-steroids-ebuddy-debuts-realtime-cross-platform-messaging-app/ | title=SMS on Steroids – eBuddy Debuts Realtime, Cross-Platform Messaging App | date=17 March 2011 }}</ref> After some changes of ownership, the company is now again owned by its original founders, Onno Bakker and Jan-Joost Rueb.

==Services==

===XMS=== XMS is a proprietary cross platform instant messaging service.<ref name="techcrunch.com"/> At one point, XMS was processing over 17 billion messages a month exchanged between more than 30 million unique users - 100,000 users were signing up daily and 1.5 billion banner ads sold on web.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/130840-website-of-the-day-ebuddy | title=Latest tech news - breaking technology news, leaks and updates | date=15 August 2023 | access-date=17 December 2014 | archive-date=9 September 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160909223641/http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/130840-website-of-the-day-ebuddy | url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xa7omw_jan-joost-rueb-ebuddy-the-cards-to_news| title = Jan-Joost Rueb – eBuddy: The cards to win the game @ LeWeb08 - video Dailymotion| date = 19 August 2009}}</ref> In a 2011 review, the head of the BerryReview team mentioned that the service has many features in common with other cross-platform messaging services.<ref>{{cite web|last=Halevy|first=Ronen|title=eBuddy XMS is Yet Another Cross Platform Messaging Service|url=http://www.berryreview.com/2011/09/14/ebuddy-xms-is-yet-another-cross-platform-messaging-service/|publisher=BerryReview LLC|access-date=December 18, 2013|date=September 14, 2011}}</ref> It does include some multimedia features: users can send images and videos and share their location. XMS is available for iOS, Android, BlackBerry, Nokia Series 40, and Windows Phone 7 devices. There is also a web-based client, called "Web XMS", for computer users.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.emerce.nl/nieuws/ebuddy-xms-webversie-gelanceerd | title=EBuddy XMS webversie gelanceerd }}</ref>

====Security====

On November 4, 2014, eBuddy XMS scored 1 out of 7 points on the Electronic Frontier Foundation's secure messaging scorecard. eBuddy XMS received a point for encryption during transit but lost points because communications are not encrypted with a key the provider doesn't have access to (i.e. the communications are not end-to-end encrypted), users can't verify contacts' identities, past messages are not secure if the encryption keys are stolen (i.e. the service does not provide forward secrecy), the code is not open to independent review (i.e. the code is not open-source), the security design is not properly documented, and there has not been a recent independent security audit.<ref name="secure-messaging-scorecard">{{cite web |url=https://www.eff.org/secure-messaging-scorecard |publisher=Electronic Frontier Foundation |title=Secure Messaging Scorecard. Which apps and tools actually keep your messages safe? |date=4 November 2014 |access-date=1 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161115054343/https://www.eff.org/secure-messaging-scorecard |archive-date=15 November 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2471658,00.asp |work=PC Magazine |title=Only 6 Messaging Apps Are Truly Secure |date=5 November 2014 |access-date=8 January 2015}}</ref> AIM, BlackBerry Messenger, Hushmail, Kik Messenger, Skype, Viber, and Yahoo Messenger also scored 1 out of 7 points.<ref name="secure-messaging-scorecard" />

===eBuddy Chat=== eBuddy Chat was a line of multi-protocol instant messaging clients: it allowed users with Facebook Chat,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://mashable.com/2008/09/21/facebook-chat-mobile/ | title=Your Social Life as You Know It Ends Now: Facebook Chat Now Works on Mobiles | website=Mashable | date=22 September 2008 }}</ref> MSN, Google Talk, Yahoo Messenger, ICQ and AOL accounts to chat free of charge in one aggregated interface.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.macworld.com/product/125988/ebuddy-messenger.html |title=EBuddy and eBuddy Pro for iPhone | Macworld |website=www.macworld.com |access-date=14 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209142900/https://www.macworld.com/product/125988/ebuddy-messenger.html |archive-date=9 February 2021 |url-status=dead}}</ref> eBuddy Chat supported a Web interface and also supported iOS, Android, J2ME and mobile Web-enabled devices. In 2010, it was named one of the five finalists for "Best Mobile App" in the Mashable Awards.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://mashable.com/2010/12/13/best-mobile-app-finalists | title="Best Mobile App" Finalists Discuss Inspiration and the Future [INTERVIEWS] | website=Mashable | date=13 December 2010 }}</ref>

With the move toward mobile, in 2013, the company announced that it was discontinuing development of its '''eBuddy Chat''' multi-protocol instant messaging clients.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/mobile/support/faq/?action=singleTopic&topic=FA142845 | title=Support options for Nokia, Lumia, and feature phone devices | website=Microsoft }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.trutower.com/2013/12/23/ebuddy-chat-shut-down-in-favor-of-xms/ | title=EBuddy Service Discontinued as Company Embraces an XMS Future | date=23 December 2013 }}</ref>

==History== eBuddy was originally developed by Paulo Taylor. His idea was established as a consequence from a bet to develop MSN Messenger, as it was named in 2003, for a mobile phone. After several weeks he won the bet, and uploaded the application to a server.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.retireat21.com/interview/interview-with-jan-joost-kraal-founder-of-ebuddy-web-and-mobile-messenger | archive-url=https://archive.today/20141217190606/http://www.retireat21.com/interview/interview-with-jan-joost-kraal-founder-of-ebuddy-web-and-mobile-messenger | url-status=usurped | archive-date=December 17, 2014 | title=Retireat21 - #1 for Business Reviews, Costs and Recommendations }}</ref> A web version was soon developed following users' demands. As user traffic spurred, Taylor decided to take the idea further. Originally backed by Prime Technology Ventures and Lowland Capital Partners and headquartered in Amsterdam, Netherlands, with offices in Singapore and San Francisco, United States.,<ref name="ebuddy.com">{{Cite web |url=http://www.ebuddy.com/about.html |title=XMS. Unlimited messaging. Better. Free. |access-date=2012-10-12 |archive-date=2019-04-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190424175358/http://www.ebuddy.com/about.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> after a successful partnership with Japanese-based GREE, eBuddy was sold via an acqui-hire to Booking.com.<ref name="emerce.nl">{{Cite web|url=https://www.emerce.nl/nieuws/ebuddy-gekocht-door-bookingcom|title=Werknemers eBuddy naar Booking.com (update)|website=Emerce|accessdate=Nov 29, 2022}}</ref><ref name="thenextweb.com">{{Cite web|url=https://thenextweb.com/news/booking-com-acquries-mobile-web-messaging-company-ebuddy|title=Booking.com Acquires eBuddy|first=Paul|last=Sawers|date=Dec 4, 2013|website=TNW | Insider|accessdate=Nov 29, 2022}}</ref> * On September 9, 2003, Taylor, together with two partners Jan-Joost Rueb and Onno Bakker, created EverywhereMSN.com.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://deekshadee.blogspot.nl/2013/06/ebuddy.html | title=EBuddy | date=12 June 2013 }}</ref> * On June 1, 2006, e-Messenger was renamed to eBuddy.<ref>{{cite news |last=Kirkpatrick |first=Marshall |url=https://techcrunch.com/2006/06/21/e-messenger-raises-funds-relaunches-as-ebuddycom/ |title=E-Messenger raises funds, relaunches as eBuddy.com |date=2006-06-21 |work=techcrunch.com |access-date=2009-07-18}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.msgstuff.com/news/post/115-emessenger-now-ebuddy/ |title=Messenger Stuff - eMessenger now eBuddy |access-date=2014-12-17 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141217175443/http://www.msgstuff.com/news/post/115-emessenger-now-ebuddy/ |archive-date=2014-12-17 }}</ref> * On October 26, 2006, eBuddy received $6.33M (€5M) in Series A funding.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://techcrunch.com/2006/10/26/ebuddy-announces-5-million-euros-from-lowland-capital/ | title=EBuddy Announces 5 Million Euros from Lowland Capital | date=26 October 2006 }}</ref> * On May 2, 2008, eBuddy received $9.55M (€6.5M) in Series B funding.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://techcrunch.com/2008/02/04/ebuddy-the-meebo-of-europe-raises-e65-million/ | title=EBuddy, the Meebo of Europe, Raises €6.5 million | date=4 February 2008 }}</ref> * On March 17, 2011, eBuddy launched its proprietary instant messaging app XMS.<ref name="techcrunch.com"/> * On September 21, 2012, Japanese gaming company GREE acquired a minority stake in eBuddy.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://techcrunch.com/2011/09/21/ebuddy-blows-through-250-million-user-accounts-android-up-300/ | title=EBuddy Blows Through 250 Million User Accounts, Android up 300% | date=21 September 2011 }}</ref> * However, GREE decided to leave the European market in 2013.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://techcrunch.com/2013/07/08/japans-gaming-giant-gree-retrenches-in-europe-shuts-down-uk-office-to-focus-on-development-in-the-u-s-for-western-market/ | title=Japan's Gaming Giant GREE Retrenches in Europe, Shuts Down All UK Operations | date=8 July 2013 }}</ref> * On December 4, 2013, Dutch online booking portal Booking.com bought eBuddy in an acqui-hire agreement <ref name="emerce.nl"/><ref name="ebuddy.com"/><ref name="thenextweb.com"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://vator.tv/news/2013-12-04-bookingcom-acquires-messaging-service-ebuddy|title=Booking.com acquires messaging service eBuddy|date=Dec 4, 2013|website=VatorNews|accessdate=Nov 29, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.phocuswire.com/Booking-com-snaps-up-messaging-app-service-eBuddy-in-acqui-hire-deal | title=Booking.com snaps up messaging app service eBuddy in acqui-hire deal | first=Karthick |last=Prabu | work=Phocuswire | date=December 5, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://tweakers.net/nieuws/92982/booking-punt-com-neemt-chatdienst-ebuddy-over.html|title=Booking.com neemt chatdienst eBuddy over - update|accessdate=Nov 29, 2022}}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist|1}}

==External links== * {{Official website}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ebuddy}} Category:Companies based in Amsterdam Category:Dutch brands Category:2003 software Category:2011 software Category:Symbian instant messaging clients Category:BlackBerry software Category:Instant messaging clients