NovaWiz, developer of Odigo (http://www.odigo.com), the premier web surfing, chat and messaging tool, today released Version 2.0, which provides Odigo users the ability to exchange online messages with ICQ users.
This release is fully compatible with ICQ, enabling users to import their existing ICQ buddy list to Odigo, and then seamlessly communicate with others without having to run both applications.
In making the announcement, Avner Ronen, vice president of strategic development at NovaWiz, noted, "We will be the first to adopt an open standard when one becomes available. However, until that time we have a responsibility to give our users what they ask for which is to stay in touch with their ICQ friends."
According to Ronen, Version 2.0 is the first messaging application to offer interoperability with ICQ, solidly demonstrating NovaWiz's strong belief in open standard of instant messaging protocols. Odigo will support additional instant messaging services in the future, he said.
ICQ-compatibility is the latest enhancement to Odigo, which combines the best of instant messaging, buddy list, chat on page, note posting and a popularity-based directory. Users can also search for people by age range, gender, country, spoken language, mood, chat intention, occupation, marital status and even zodiac sign. Other capabilities include "Homepager," which enables a user to define a URL, which will be constantly monitored by Odigo, which reports activity with a small audio alert - much like a doorbell.
The process of integrating Odigo with ICQ is straightforward. While registering for Odigo 2.0, ICQ users enter their ICQ number and password. Then, they import the ICQ "Buddy List" into Odigo's "Friends List." That's it! The Odigo user can then receive or send messages (basic messages, URL messages, buddy requests and offline messages) from any other ICQ user, and receive alerts on their status (online, away or offline). Odigo users can add new buddies from ICQ to their friends list and authorize other ICQ users who want to add them to their buddy list.
NovaWiz also announced a global initiative to build a worldwide network of partners that will introduce Odigo to their users, enabling it as the technology platform behind the next generation of communities.
Shai Buber, president of NovaWiz noted, "By co-branding Odigo, our partners receive a powerful tool, tailored to their needs, to strengthen their relationships with their current members. Furthermore, it enables them to reach people with like interests, who are not currently members of their own communities. So, in reality, Odigo is building a network of communities."
To date, NovaWiz has cemented partnerships with Pacific Internet Limited (NASDAQ: PCNTF), the Pacific Rim's leading ISP, Zing, the largest photo portal site on the Internet, Rembler and APort, the leading portals in Russia; Jubii A/S, the leading portal in Denmark and one of Europe's most visited web-portals; Walla, the leading portal in Israel; Monitor the leading portal in Croatia; Onyx the leading portal in Bulgaria; and Upgrade from India.
NovaWiz, Inc. is a U.S.-based Internet company with its research and development in Israel and the United States. Dedicated to enriching the Internet experiences the company's leading product, Odigo, can be downloaded free from several Internet freeware sites. It has received five stars from ZDNet (www.zdnet.com) and a Five Cows rating from www.tucows.com. Odigo also received the prestigious "Head of the Herd" award from Tucows.
Published by Israel's Business Arena on January 25, 2000.