What is Meebo?
Meebo was a popular web-based instant messaging platform launched in 2005. It enabled users to access multiple instant messaging accounts and networks through a single, unified web interface. Meebo supported major IM services and communities such as AOL Instant Messenger (AIM), Yahoo! Messenger, MSN Messenger (later Windows Live Messenger), Google Talk, ICQ, and Jabber/XMPP.
One of Meebo's key features was that it could be accessed from any computer with an internet connection and web browser. Unlike standalone IM clients that had to be downloaded, installed and configured, Meebo worked directly in the browser, making it simple and convenient for users to access their messages no matter what device they were using. Its slogan was "Bringing messaging to the web."
In addition to the web interface, Meebo later launched mobile apps for iOS and Android devices so that users could stay connected through smartphones and tablets as well. And in 2010, Meebo introduced a service called Meebo Rooms which allowed group chats between different IM networks.
Meebo had a strong user base through the late 2000s, which attracted the attention of Google. Meebo was acquired by Google in June 2012 for an estimated $100 million. The service was eventually shut down in July 2012. But some of Meebo's core messaging capabilities lived on through the development of Google Hangouts, which became Google's focus for their messaging and video chat projects.