t.imo.im really doesn’t show you much on their homepage about how the service works, features or functions. This generally scares us. Really scares us. The main page simply asks you to do a few steps, with no indication of the outcome.
Well how in the heck does it work? Is this a slew of direct messages? Does it count against my API? I tried navigating to a help or about page, to no avail. Well I went ahead and used our test account.
The interface prompted me instantly to send a tweet, or not, that I was using the service and available to chat. The left side showed my status (normal chat stats with on, off busy and away), chat buddies and who I follow. The right side was my Twitter stream, including mentions and DM’s.
I could hover over any name on the left, get their recent tweet and see if they were online in the service and click to see their Twitter profile. Besides Reply and Retweet on the right timeline, a chat link was below each person also. Offering me the ability to invite them to chat. Once again I have to ask how much of your API this might use.
Interesting tool if you need a real chat service using your Twitter id’s and don’t want to share your other IM names or Skype. This might have enough need if people know about it.