14 DAY TRIAL // In the last year, we've seen many complaints from Linux users who attempted to use the Empathy multi-protocol instant messenger application that is installed by default in some popular distributions, such as Ubuntu.
The problem with Empathy, which is the default IM client of the GNOME desktop environment and the Ubuntu Linux operating system, is that it looks like it does not want to evolve.
The developers behind the Empathy IM project keep the software in the 3.12.x branch since March 2014, and only release maintenance versions that fix a couple of bugs here and there, or update language translations.
The latest version is Empathy 3.12.9 and it has been announced today, April 15, 2015. It fixes three issues discovered since version 3.12.8, which was released back in March 16 and distributed as part of the GNOME 3.16 desktop environment.
The application needs a major update for modern times
Empathy 3.12.9 has been updated today to be distributed as part of the soon-to-be-released GNOME 3.16.1 desktop environment, but the reality is that the application needs a major update for modern times.
It really needs a facelift and improved performance. Linux distributions like Ubuntu evolve quite fast, and at some point in time, Empathy won't be suitable to be used as a mainstream chat client anymore.
We have to admit that every time we see a new announcement regarding Empathy, we wonder if it is that major update we crave for and if the version number has been changed to match the one of the GNOME desktop environment (e.g. Empathy 3.16).
Empathy's popularity might decrease among Linux users
The fact of the matter is that many Linux users end up removing Empathy from the default installation of their favorite distribution, replacing it with the popular Pidgin application, which is updated regularly with dozens of new features.
We also believe that if Empathy developers don't come up with a major update soon, it might be possible for the application to be replaced as the default chat client in future releases of popular distributions, and its popularity will decrease.
Update: The GNOME developers are discussing the possibility to remove the Empathy IM client from the GNOME desktop environment, according to an email sent by Matthias Clasen to the GNOME release team and Allan Day.