New Digsby Includes Realtime Search and Global Status Updates

Digsby just pushed out a new release that includes some very interesting and useful features. Besides a flashy new Windows 7 skin, Digsby has made some major changes under the hood. Their Infobox has been upgraded to a full blown web browser based on WebKit. WebKit is actually the same engine that powers Safari and the Google Chrome browser. This puts a lot of power into Digsby’s hands and removes the need to authenticate Facebook using Internet Explorer.

This new WebKit engine also makes it possible for Digsby to provide an awesome new MySpace news feed. Yeah, you know you have a

MySpace account so don’t try to act. Even if you’ve been ignoring MySpace because FriendFeed is the new hotness, you might want to remember that FriendFeed just got bought by Facebook. The new MySpace news feed includes a full Activities Stream, status updates, and the ability to browse through photos.

One of the new features that really caught my eye is Global Status Updates. This allows you to update your status across multiple social networks and Instant Messaging services simultaneously. Ping.fm and HelloTxt both offer this feature, but they’re third parties. Having a way to send a status update everywhere at the same time is very powerful when coupled with an application that integrates all your social activity in one place. Access the Global Status dialog from the status drop-down on the buddy list or by double clicking any social network.  The Global Status dialog also has spell check built in and makes it easy to share links (via digs.by) and pictures (via pic.im).

The new URL Shortening service Digs.by is just for Digsby users and should make it much easier to share links in your updates. Most applications offer their own URL shortening services these days to fit into Twitter status updates. My only issue with this is that they don’t bother to add statistics for your links so you know if people are even clicking on your junk. If you’re not going to integrate a full-featured URL shortener like bit.ly or tr.im, at least provide similar features. Digsby promises that this will be possible in the future.

Realtime search also made it into this release of Digsby. They’ve partnered with OneRiot to provide access to the whole fire hose that is the realtime web. Just hit Ctrl+F on your buddy list to search.

After making some major performance upgrades and now adding some power user features, Digsby is looking more and more attractive as an IM and social media solution for me. I’m still checking it out and if you’ve tried it before and didn’t like it, you might want to give it another shot.

What do you think about Digsby? I’m still on the fence, so share your opinions in the comments.

About the Author
Rahsheen has been a certified geek since before it was the thing to do. He started programming and tinkering in the 4th grade. Now, Rahsheen mostly writes on various sites about technology trends in social media and mobile. . He is also a musician, singer, rapper, writer, and producer. @rahsheen - +Rahsheen Porter - coachrah.com
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