So it's nice to know that iPhone users have a choice when it comes to using a mobile app to stay in touch with other FriendFeed-aholics while on the go. With three native FriendFeed iPhone apps now available in the app store, and none of them being free, it might be difficult to discern which app offers the best bang for your buck. Here's what each of the options offers:
Nambu
At $1.99, Nambu is the priciest quick fix for satisfying your FriendFeed desires. It's also the most limited in terms of actual FriendFeed features, which means serious FriendFeeders should look elsewhere.
Nambu does have the FriendFeed basics though, which includes the ability to like, comment, and search the lifestreaming site. But if you're like me, you want to view the "me" view, and you need access to all the cool rooms.
Nambu does have a few FriendFeed-less features that make it a rockin' app worth consideration. The app conveniently supports Twitter updates, replies, and direct messages, Laconi.ca updates, and even Ping.fm updates, making it a multi-purpose app for serious social types. With Nambu you can also flag people to follow and favorite messages, but what's really cool is that Nambu can translate foreign language messages from your international pals.
The reality is that Nambu is only a must-buy if you want just a taste of FriendFeed and your other social sites served as nice little side dishes.
Webfeedr
For 99 cents, Webfeedr focuses on just FriendFeed, but it still might fall short of hard core users' fantasy app.
What's great about this pocket friendly app is that you can view and interact with all the FriendFeed areas you've grown to love. Stay freshly updated on your own stream and the streams of your friends, your favorite rooms, and the general public.
What's not so great about Webfeedr is that user profiles open up in a separate browser window, which means you have to leave the application, a huge pet peeve of mine. Also rather unfortunate is the fact that you can't delete posts or see the comments and likes on individual entries from within the app. That makes a streamlined discussion practically impossible to follow.
The bottom line is that the standard mobile-friendly FriendFeed site is a better option than this 99 cent native alternative.
BuddyFeed
BuddyFeed is the freshest member of the FriendFeed kids on the app block, and it also has more of what fanatical FriendFeeders really want from an application, but it does come with a few bugs and a 99 cent price tag.
Like Webfeedr, BuddyFeed supports viewing and updating rooms, your own feed, and your friends' streams. You can also see likes and comments for full conversations. With BuddyFeed you can view profiles, subscribe and unsubscribe from users, and - best of all - view links in an inline browser. Now that's something real FriendFeed fans can all enjoy.
The bad news is that BuddyFeed seems to still be working out a few kinks when it comes to image uploads. BuddyFeed also doesn't support lists, and the UI, though beautiful, might be a little challenging for FriendFeed newbies.
BuddyFeed definitely has a nice feature set and reasonable price tag, but this FriendFeeder is still anxiously anticipating the release of an official FriendFeed iPhone app.
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