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EQO (pronounced "echo") just sent me a message that a new version of their  IM/VOIP software is available. I will be running some tests and keep you all posted about results.

First a little background

Initially, one of EQO’s main benefits was that it allowed you to connect vicariously to Skype (before Skype had ports to mobile phones) and make data calls over that network from your phone. It worked like this: You installed Skype on your desktop, then you installed EQO on your desktop, then you connected the two apps, then you installed EQO on your mobile device which then connected to EQO on your desktop, wirelessly, and made calls vicariously on the Skype network, via the EQO/Skype pairing on your desktop. I first tried the J2ME version on my old Motorola L6 about 2 years ago. I have to admit, it was a little clunky and was more of a "power user" install, but it actually did connect, even over my old T-Mobile EDGE connection (hard to believe actually). Was it usable? Not really. But I think that was mostly due to latency of EDGE network and not that app itself. VOIP was still kind of new then.

I had also tried the IM port it offered, with mixed results. I always loved the interface though.

Fast forward a bit

About 3 months ago, I was looking for a better IM client for my Blackjack II and I decided to give EQO a try again. I installed the Winmo version and all the interface

goodness came back into my memory ( lots of attention to detail in the icons and fonts). Additionally it has a Home-screen plug-in, which some of the other useful Winmo IM clients are missing. However, it was prone to disconnections and that ultimately led me to using Palringo, whose connectivity was much, much better. But Palringo doesn’t have a Home-screen plug-in, and its "tray notifier" isn’t visible from the home screen. So I shelved it again.

Anyway, I just got an email last night letting me know that a new version is available, and that the connectivity issues have been resolved. Also updates in their VOIP offering look as though they have their own service (or service resale) available. And a new Facebook

app called, tounge-in-cheekly-enough, Vibrator.

Initial thoughts

When you install the new version, you get $2.50 of VOIP outgoing call credits. I tried it with one phone call, so far. Not bad. 3g phone helps a lot with that, I bet.

IM client is good so far ( I am only talking about an hour of use—will get back to you about this after some real use).

Facebook App? Um… not sure about the whole "Vibrator" concept. I don’t think I  am going to add that one to my profile. However I can almost appreciate some of the humorous intention of their "faux-reverse exploitation" videos on their Facebook page. We’ll see how far that campaign goes.

Stay tuned…