eBuddy XMS aims to bypass SMS fees

Stephen Withers
Tuesday, 22 March 2011 14:39

Your IT - Mobility

It's no secret that SMS charges are way out of kilter with other types of mobile phone data. So eBuddy is hoping the opportunity to save money will attract users to its new eBuddy XMS messaging service for smartphones.

eBuddy XMS is a new realtime messaging app for smartphones - initially iPhone and Android, with a BlackBerry version set to follow.



It goes beyond text by allowing the inclusion of emoticons, sound bites and other content, and allows unlimited messages to be sent at no cost other than the carrier's data charges. Company officials point out that a gigabyte of data costs about €35, while a gigabyte of SMS messages would cost around €100,000.

The service has been launched in the Netherlands - eBuddy's home market - and in Australia due to "its large proportion of sophisticated smartphone users'" according to a company spokesperson.

"The launch of eBuddy XMS represents the next logical step in the evolution and growth of eBuddy and marks the beginning of a new mobile era for us," said Jan-Joost "JJ" Rueb, eBuddy co-founder and CEO. "We are entering a category with huge potential. Our focus is to create suitable and free replacement of SMS for our users. Offering this free and unlimited messaging service ensures our users will not miss out on any personal contact with their friends and family - whether at home, school, work or play."

The iPhone version is here, and the Android app is here.

It is not clear how the service differs from other instant messenger style apps.