While Chatab.com might look like many of the other web-based IMs online, the freshman startup offers something new in the form of a web browser within a web-based IM. The end result is nothing short of efficient and Chatab.com really makes web surfing or working easier while keeping us in touch with our IM friends.
What I Loved About Chatab.com
In addition to allowing users to sign in to their accounts individually, Chatab.com also gives users the chance to sign up for a Chatab account which can simplify signing into multiple IM accounts in the future.
The sign up process was extremely simple and I was signed in and using Chatab.com in less than a minute.
When you first sign in, users are greeted by the latest news headlines in the Chatab Web Browser, a simple browser window which allows users to surf the Internet without having to launch a new tab or window in your browser of choice.
Once signed in and with IM clients set-up, my buddy list began to fill up with familiar contacts and I was able to launch conversations, all immediately tabbed within the Chatab.com window, just over the browser.
For users in the middle of some hardcore web browsing, the buddy list can be collapsed allowing for a wider browser window and more space for your IM conversations.
In addition to a very clean, easy to use design, Chatab.com is pretty simple as an IM client without many bells and whistles.
While some IM users require lots of personalization options like text color, size and font, Chatab offers only the single sans serif font to work with and the option of creating your own profile. Ultimately, that was enough for me.
Chatab's Opportunities for Improvement
The following are issues (albeit minor ones) Chatab.com should work on:
- When using the Chatab Web Browser, auto password suggestions appear to the far right of the screen, going beyond the actual web browser window itself (and almost out of sight completely). This was one of the biggest errors I found.
- On a few web sites (including About.com) the Chatab Web Browser displayed a page within the browser window, but when I clicked additional links, the site would open in my standard (Firefox) browser window, replacing Chatab.com I would then have to hit the "back" button to return to Chatab to resume my IM conversations and web browsing.
- Unlike Meebo and other IM clients, when a new message is received, Chatab.com alerts users with a small icon on the tab. An animated icon or a flashing tab is easier to notice when you are busy doing other things, like web browsing. This thoughtful addition would be nice.
Another issue completely beyond the control of Chatab.com is the continued issues IM developers and clients have with Facebook Chat's API and IM portals; this is something I did not deduct points for seeing as how this is an industry-wide issue.
Overall, Great New Web-Based IM
I believe with time and enough word of mouth, Chatab.com could be as big as Meebo and already has them beat with the innovative web browser.
Additional Information
Chatab.com is free to use and free to join as a member.
Chatab.com Supported Protocols:
