- Quick specs
- Price: Free
- Operating system: Windows Me/2000/XP/Vista
- Date added: August 14, 2009
- Total Downloads: 38,531,360
- Downloads last week: 38,896
- See full specifications
A newer version of Trillian Astra is available.
(Download doesn't provide access to previous versions of this program.)
- CNET editors' rating: stars
- Average user rating: stars out of 1563 votes
See all user reviews
CNET editors' review
Reviewed by: Seth Rosenblatt on August 20, 2009
More than three years in the making, Trillian is back with a slight name change and a slew of new features. It's keeping the beta code-name Astra as part of its official title, but more importantly it's been updated for the modern IM world. Skinnable but not modular, the chat client now supports Google, MySpace IM, Skype, and Facebook, as well as AIM, ICQ, MSN, Yahoo, and IRC. Both POP3 and IMAP e-mail checking see some love here, too.
Trillian now has deep hooks into Facebook and Twitter. It will automatically shorten URLs in your tweets, as well as allow direct messages, re-tweets, and replies. Twitter Trends can show up in your contact list, and you can get tweets to appear in tooltip form. Facebook features include news feed integration, Facebook Inbox checking, and synchronized message updating in addition to Facebook IM. Just on these features alone, Trillian Astra offers a bit more than its IM competitors.
Trillian Astra runs lighter than the previous version, too, and you're less likely to notice system slowdowns because of Trillian memory leaks. Video chat gets basic support, as does universal drag-and-drop file transfer. The paid upgrade gives you browser-based IM from Trillian.im, full-screen video and filters to colorize your vids, multiple simultaneous file transfer, and themes, as well as tech support. These features are available for the first 30 days you use the free version, then they deactivate. The biggest changes, besides the reskinned interface, are the long-needed performance improvements and support for a broad range of IM protocols. Longtime fans won't be disappointed.
Watch the CNET video review of Trillian Astra:
Publisher's description
From Cerulean Studios :Trillian is a fully featured, stand-alone, skinnable chat client that supports AIM, ICQ, MSN, Yahoo Messenger, IRC, Google, Facebook, and others. It provides capabilities not possible with most original network clients, while supporting standard features such as audio chat, file transfers, group chats, chat rooms, buddy icons, multiple simultaneous connections to the same network, server-side contact importing, typing notification, direct connection, proxy support, encrypted messaging, SMS support, tabbed chatting, system-tray notifications and alerts, and privacy settings.
CNET Editor's Note: Trillian Astra comes bundled with the Ask browser toolbar.
What's new in this version:
Version 4.0.0.117 features a revamped interface, compatibility with major social networking sites, a global login, multiple location sign-on, video and voice calls, support for a wider range of IM networks, and performance enhancements.
More popular Chat downloads
- 156,571 downloads 1. mIRC
- 47,233 downloads 2. Windows Live Messenger
- 35,344 downloads 3. Trillian Astra
- 32,520 downloads 4. Yahoo Messenger
- 17,389 downloads 5. WebcamMax
- See all Chat downloads
User reviews of Trillian Astra 4.0.0.117
- Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 1563 votes
- My rating: 0 stars Write review
-
Showing 5 of 39 user reviewsSee all 39 user reviews
This software version | All versions -
Version: Trillian Astra 4.0.0.117
"Does not integrate passwords from previous versions"
Pros: No redeeming factors in my view
Cons: As above, I want a program that brings across passwords or other info
Summary: Sticking with what is successful
-
Version: Trillian Astra 4.0.0.117
"Trillian now integrates with gmail"
Pros: Useful to be able to integrate gmail contacts, FB and Twitter. This new version alerts you to new emails in real-time.
Cons: The IM chat box itself can be hidden / minimized. However, it doesn't seem possible to turn off new email notifications or incoming IM alerts. These appear in a small box at the bottom right of the screen and can become a nuisance.
-
Version: Trillian Astra 4.0.0.117
"I love it, although it offers above avg. functionality."
Pros: Allows me to view many IM messengers in a consolidated format. I can do simultaneous IM's in one window with multiple tabs. These tabs tell me when I have new messages even when I'm in a different chat.
Cons: I have yet to get my webcam to work with this program. I would appreciate more details on how to successfully link MySpace IM. Can Trillian Astra soon offer the functionality of Yahoo Messenger?
Summary: I subscribe to 10 IM messengers, and I like Trillian Astra enough to link all of them. More functionality and more help would make this program superior.
-
Version: Trillian Astra 4.0.0.117
"Does exactly what it proposes."
Pros: Multiple protocols.
Cons: I elft Skype out of Trillian.
-
Version: Trillian Astra 4.0.0.117
"Full featured, more than I need"
Pros: Full Featured
Cons: More features and complexity than I need
Summary: Long time Trillian user. Tought I would upgrade. Lots of features, more than I need. My needs are simple. I unistalled Astra and went back to thier Trillian 3 product. Sometimes simpler is better.
- See all 39 user reviews Write review
Submit your review
Previous Versions:
