So, if you are a Verizon BlackBerry subscriber and you use AIM (AOL Instant Messenger), we’ve got some great news for you.
You are now able to download AIM for your Verizon BlackBerry from the mobile.blackberry.com help site.
Enjoy 
The Official, Unofficial BlackBerry Weblog
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Ben Pike 09.10.08 at 9:27 am
HORRAY!
I saw something about AOL/AIM/RIM compatability LATE last night (looked like a press release) on PinStack and was very confused…
So I went to the page to download the client and expected to be denied, BUT NO! It let me install it!
Apparently Verizon/RIM/AOL came to an agreement on something recently. I’m interested to hear what went down.
Now Verizon blackberry users wont have to waste SMS with the Verizon client, pay for a client, or use a crappy free client!
It works wonderfully. My only complaint, so far, is that custom status messages set you as “away.” I cant find away to set a custom “available” status.
john lim 09.11.08 at 11:35 am
Is this program going to drain my minutes or data?
Ben Pike 09.11.08 at 12:31 pm
@john
No. It uses your BIS (or BES) data package. Not minutes or SMS.
I’ve been running it the past few days alongside Google Talk with moderate usage and it doesn’t even really seem to drain my battery more than usual - another plus.
alex 09.25.08 at 9:00 am
I have the blackberry curve on verizon. I went to mobile.blackberry.com on my blackberry and couldn’t find the app. i’d love to get any help? i’d prefer it to be able to gotten ota.
Ben Pike 09.25.08 at 11:22 pm
@Alex:
not to be a jerk, but Google/HowardForums are your friend…
http://www.blackberry.com/instantmessaging on your phone, enjoy.
leia 10.05.08 at 2:49 am
I just downloaded AIM to my Blackberry Pearl. My carrier is Verizon. I’ve been trying to find out if it really only uses data, or if I’m going to be charged per im as SMS messages. I’ve been ready different message boards and ppl seem to have conflicting ideas about it. Verizons customer service staff are clueless when it comes to BB apps. Can someone please help me and clear this up??
Thanks!
Ben Pike 10.05.08 at 12:01 pm
@leia
If you downloaded it from BlackBerry then it will only use your data.
If you downloaded it from Verizon then it will waste your SMS.
Does this clear it up for you? If not email me: ben AT benpike DOT net
leia 10.05.08 at 12:49 pm
Yes! That helped immensely. Thank you. I downloaded it from blackberry.com/aim. I have unlimited data, but not unlimited text, so I was a little worried, but not anymore. Thanks again!
leia 10.05.08 at 2:53 pm
So I’ve been trying it out and I love it, but I do have a few complaints. A: (someone else mentioned this) I cannot customize my available status. B: I cannot send IMs to a user who’s status is invisible. C: I cannot see other users custom away messages, only their status.
Any help would be appreciated. Or do I just have to deal with it? I may go back to jivetalk…
Ben Pike 10.05.08 at 4:49 pm
@leia
you’re welcome. glad i could help.
A) yeah i noticed this as well… no way around it that I could find.
B) Isn’t that the point of them being invisible?
C) Yeah this bugs me too, but not a deal breaker.
I think JiveTalk is STILL the best chat app available for the BlackBerry. But if you dont wanna shell out the $30 for it…. the official AIM app will do just fine.
leia 10.05.08 at 6:09 pm
Jivetalk is great if you use more than one account for IMing, which I do not. I only use AIM, making the BB app perfect, if only it wouldn’t have those flaws.
As for point B, I know a few ppl who prefer to stay invisible vs blocking someone. Sounds silly. But when I was trying to respond to someone who was set to invisible, it just told me the message could not be sent, the user was offline. I then switched to jivetalk and was able to talk just fine. Minor annoyance, but is it worth $30?
leia 10.05.08 at 6:14 pm
*note.
I currently have both Jivetalk and AIM installed on my phone. I’m just trying to decide whether or not to shell out the $30 once the free trial of Jivetalk expires.
ama 10.06.08 at 5:36 pm
My biggest problem with aim is that I am able to sign on and see my buddy list. Yet no one on my buddylist sees me online and don’t receive my ims. I am not on invisible so I don’t know why. What gives ??
Matt 10.30.08 at 9:34 pm
Hey i LOVE this, but i was just wondering.. does this cost extra money to be signed onto or no?
john_lim 10.30.08 at 9:46 pm
Yes they charge 99 cents per message. Does anyone get unable to contact server when you are signed in for a long time ? I get kicked every hour or so. Btw jk about the charge its free
Ben Pike 10.31.08 at 7:58 am
@ Matt:
It only uses data… so as long as you have a data plan you’ll be fine.
ama 10.31.08 at 7:04 pm
Someonee help , please ( with my previous post ) .
Ben Pike 10.31.08 at 7:35 pm
@ ama:
Have you tried un-installing and re-installing?
I know there was a minor update recently…
Maegan 11.06.08 at 11:56 pm
Am I going to be view all my buddies online? Because the last time I had a blackberry, I could only view several of my friends, not all.
Ben Pike 11.07.08 at 1:16 am
@ Maegan
I have not ran into this issue yet.
ama 11.19.08 at 8:32 pm
Ok so I took your advice Ben and re installed AIM. My problem now is that when I IM people they are not able to repsond because it says I’m offline. My status is available and I’m not signed on to AIM elsewhere. Any ideas why ?
Ben Pike 11.19.08 at 10:42 pm
@ama
are you running AIM version 2.1.37?
what Blackberry OS version are you running?
ama 11.23.08 at 9:47 pm
Yes I am running the version of AIM . My blackberry OS is 4.3.0.127