Meglobe opens up to other IM networks (and you)

Meglobe, a Web-based IM client that translates conversations in real time is now open to everyone. Previously in private beta, the service has re-launched with a new design and support for Yahoo, AOL AIM, and MSN chat protocols.

If you have buddies on one of these other services who speaks a different language, Meglobe will automatically translate based on the home language you've set as a preference. Previously they would have had to sign up to be a Meglobe member.

More importantly, the service has improved its translation tools, allowing users to make fixes and suggestions to the ones provided. If you come across a translation you know is wrong you can flag it and leave a suggestion. It's then sent to a consortium of editors who must approve it. The change will then end up in all future translations of that word or particular phrase, which can make the tool better suited towards slang or phrasing that would otherwise require linguistic finesse.

As a general-purpose Web-based IM client, Meglobe still has a ways to go before it can compete with something like Meebo. If you're used to being able to pop your conversations and contact list outside of the browser window you won't find it here. Likewise new message notifications can only be seen inside the window it's running in (unlike Meebo). If, however, real-time translation is what you're going for this service is still tops.

[Jose_Rodriguez]

Hello Josh,

Thank you for the review! Pop out functionality is definitely on the slate along with some other new features we have planned.