CNET Editors' review
One of the most popular and customizable third-party clients in the multiservice chat category for Mac continues to impress. It supports multiple services, including AIM, Yahoo, MSN, Facebook, Windows Live, and Google Chat. Part of what made the original Adium so attractive was the multitude of IM service options, and that still forms the core appeal of this client. The interface is smooth and lean, fitting in well with the Mac OS. The client supports tabbed browsing, encrypted messaging, and you can transfer files to your buddies, though it can be hit or miss depending on what service you're using.
Recent updates have improved cross-service support (both in terms of security and performance), and the app continues to offer extensive options for customization, with a wide range of sounds, themes, colors, and other tweaks--including support for Growl, if you want to keep up with chats when you're not in Adium. Under the hood, the program shares the same open-source core as multiplatform client Pidgin.
Overall, despite some file-sharing quirks, Adium X is a must-download for those looking to connect with multiple services. If you've been looking for a chat client that plays nice with other chat services, Adium is an excellent choice on the Mac.
Publisher's Description
From Adam Iser:
Adium is a fast and free instant messaging client which supports AIM, ICQ, Jabber, MSN, Yahoo!, Google Talk, Yahoo! Japan, Bonjour, Gadu-Gadu, Novell Groupwise, and Lotus Sametime. Adium supports beautiful WebKit message display, tabbed messaging, encrypted chat, file transfer, and more. Give it a try; you won't look back.
Adium is currently translated into Catalan, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, French, German, Icelandic, Italian, Japanese, Norwegian, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Swedish, and Traditional Chinese.
What's new in this version:
Major changes
- Requires Mac OS X 10.6.8 or later.
- Requires an Intel Mac.
- Added 64-bit support.
- Updated to libpurple 2.10.0.
- Removed defunct QQ support.
- Fix double mail notifications on MSN. (#11199)
- Make disconnecting due to flooding on IRC less likely to occur. (#13920)
- Many user interface improvements, including updated look & feel for Mac OS X 10.7+
See all new features
More Popular Chat downloads
- Yahoo Messenger (Classic)
1,862 downloads
- Yahoo! Messenger
463 downloads
- Microsoft Messenger
337 downloads
- Adium
179 downloads
- iChat AV
171 downloads
-
All versions:
4.1 starsout of 82 votes
-
Current version:
0 stars Be the first to review this product -
My rating:
Write review
-
"does ok but could be better"
Version: Adium 1.4.4
Pros
- like the floating dock and how you can customize it
- like how you can put all your messaging into one
- like how you can minimize it
- customizable in sounds and colors too
- could use some nicer lay-out/UI, but in terms of functions it seems good.Cons
- wish it supported skype which is the only stupid client that I'm stuck with opening separately
- FB seems to be still an issue.
- don't like how I keep getting messages from weirdos, but that might be a yahoo chat issue.
- a little bit of a cludgy old app designSummary
Overall, this is the only multiple client IM product I have on my desktop.
-
"5 stars because it's UNIQUE but..."
Version: Adium 1.4.3
Pros
it's the only proper multichat app we have!
Light, not cluttering, complete, with many useful personal settings, alerts, behaviours!Cons
The development is slow... our expectations waiting...and waiting:
- file transfer is not fully working
- still no voice
- still not Skype integratedSummary
An absolute 'must have' (made by GENEROUS people) which should be ever open when we're online!
But... does they know that we are BEGGING for more, to not be 'forced' to open Yahoo to send files or MSN for nor Skype (both in black list being fallen in dirty hands)? -
"It does what it says it will"
Version: Adium 1.4.3
Pros
It does what it say it will
Cons
It can't read my mind
It can't see into the future
It won't go to work for me and let me stay in bed
It doesn't predict winning lottery numbers at all - let alone accuratelySummary
I've been using it for years and they haven't screwed it up yet.
-
"WHY IS A VIDEO CAMERA THE LOGO WHEN IT'S NOT SUPPORTED?"
Version: Adium 1.4.2
Pros
GREAT FUN AND VERY CUSTOMISABLE!
Cons
NO VIDEO SUPPORT
Summary
If you use video chat, you'll need something else as well...
-
"Adium does them all. No need to open other messengers."
Version: Adium 1.4.2
Pros
Lots of features and customizable. Continually evolving.
Cons
Sometimes "forgets" passwords.
Summary
Best multi-messenger for the Mac.
-
"I am having a lot of trouble connecting my accounts."
Version: Adium 1.4.1
Pros
The ones it works on is fine
Cons
cannot get it to connect to G chat, and others
Summary
wish it would work on my imac better.
-
"Good replacement for live messenger"
Version: Adium 1.4.1
Pros
You can use all your messengers at the same time. Easy to use and has many options to personalize. For example: you can download nice sounds and emoticons from their website.
Cons
None really.
-
"I have not used this enough to comment"
Version: Adium 1.4.1
Pros
No comment
Cons
No comment
Summary
No Comment
-
"good IM program. unobtrusive on the desktop"
Version: Adium 1.4
Pros
i can chat with people in other IM programs without having to be in those programs. Adium brings them all together in one place.
Cons
doesn't allow me to buzz my contacts, so unless they're at the computer they won't know i've begun a chat
-
"smooth, this is important for me."
Version: Adium 1.3.10
Pros
smooth, practical, esthetical, functional etc.
Cons
nothing for me
Summary
I like this apps smooth, practical, esthetical, functional etc. properties, may be some people wants cam support. This is may be only fault.
Thanks creators of this app.
Add Your Review
Submit your reply
E-mail this review
Report offensive content
See more CNET content tagged:
Previous Versions:
