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BlackBerry IM Clients

Stand-Alone Facebook Messenger App now available for BlackBerry

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Facebook Messenger, the stand-alone Facebook Chat application which allows you to chat with other Facebook users, is now available for the BlackBerry.   Facebook Messenger for BlackBerry provides the same functionality as the official Facebook for BlackBerry app, which includes Facebook Chat, but, without all the other Facebook stuff.

Facebook Messenger for BlackBerry features:

  • Reach friends right on their phones
    Now you can send messages directly to your friends on their mobile phones, so you stay in touch no matter where you go. Message friends or anyone in your mobile contacts.
  • Get and send messages fast
    With the new standalone Messenger app, now messaging with friends is faster than ever. Messages are delivered instantly, and they’re always just a click away.
  • Make plans with groups on the go
    Group conversations make it easy to message everyone at once and see where your friends are. Don’t want to share your location? Turn it off with one click.

Download Facebook Messenger for BlackBerry

Kik Messenger for BlackBerry is still kicking, but, we’re not supposed to tell you about it…

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Remember Kik Messenger, the cross platform instant messaging (IM) application that took the world by storm signing up over 1 million users in 15 days only to be eventually pulled from BlackBerry App World, blocked from push notifications on RIM’s back end, and ultimately taken to court by RIM for patent infringment?  Well, Kik Messenger is back and kicking with a new BlackBerry client, but, we aren’t supposed to tell you about it.

[Read more…] about Kik Messenger for BlackBerry is still kicking, but, we’re not supposed to tell you about it…

RIMarkable Recap: Our Top Stories From The Week Of Nov. 30th

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UberTwitter 1.0 Officially Released —  One of the most popular third party Twitter clients for the BlackBerry was released after an 18-month beta peariod.

BlackBerry App World Surpassed 15,000 Apps

Research in Motion Discontinued ICQ for BlackBerry — Research in Motion discontinued it’s official ICQ client for BlackBerry…

BlackBerry Falls To Number 2 In U.S. Smartphone Market Share

Research in Motion Sues Kik Interactive for Patent Infringement —  RIM is taking the company behind Kik Messenger to court…

BlackBerry Overtakes the iPhone in Mobile Internet Usage —  Believe it or not, the BlackBerry surpasses the iPhone when it comes to mobile internet usage…

Research in Motion acquires The Astonishing Tribe —  RIM acquires Swedish UI design company The Astonishing Tribe (TAT)

RIM Discontinuing The Official ICQ Client For BlackBerry

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Research in Motion has announced via the BlackBerry Knowledge Base that the official ICQ for BlackBerry IM client is being discontinued as of December 4th.

As of December 4th, 2010, BlackBerry smartphone users will not be able to download or use the ICQ for BlackBerry smartphones application. Users of this application will receive an error message if they attempt to use the application as of this date.

RIM didn’t give a reason as to why they’ve discontinued ICQ for BlackBerry.  Personally, I cannot think of anyone who uses IQC, however, I’ve heard that it is still pretty big internationally.

Research In Motion Suspends Push Services To Existing Kik Messenger Users

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Research in Motion pulling Kik Messenger from BlackBerry App World appears to have been a much bigger deal than we had initially thought.  Not two weeks ago, RIM pulled Kik Messenger from BlackBerry App World vaguely stating that they became aware of a number of issues and customer concerns regarding the Kik app and service. RIM, this past Friday, however, disabled all “Push” access to existing Kik users and has removed Kik access to the BlackBerry Software Development Kit and Signing Keys, essentially disabling all future Kik Messenger development on the the BlackBerry platform.

RIM released this official statement as to why they seem to have severed their relationship with Kik.

RIM became aware of a number of issues and customer concerns regarding the Kik app and service. Following discussions with Kik, the app was removed from BlackBerry App World on November 12. Upon further investigation, RIM concluded that Kik had breached contractual obligations. Based on the broad scope and seriousness of the issues and concerns, RIM terminated its agreements with Kik and withdrew RIM’s support for Kik’s service.

It doesn’t appear that Kik Messenger is coming back to the BlackBerry any time soon…

[Via BGR]

RIM Statement On Why They Pulled Kik Messenger From BlackBerry App World

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I figured that Research in Motion’s decision to pull Kik Messenger from BlackBerry App World had more to do with Kik than it had to do with RIM.  It looks like this actually may have been the case…

RIM became aware of a number of issues and customer concerns regarding the Kik app and service and, following discussions with Kik, the app was removed from BlackBerry App World. RIM is actively reviewing the issues and potential resolutions, and is also continuing its discussions with Kik.

Like I said before, RIM pulling Kik Messenger from BlackBerry App World really isnt’ that big a deal…

[Via Engadget Mobile]

Why Kik Messenger Being Pulled From BlackBerry App World Isn’t That Big A Deal

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I’ve read several posts today that seem to be making a mountain out of mole hill when it comes to Kik Messenger being  pulled from BlackBerry App World.  For those not familiar with Kik Messenger, it is a cross platform IM client that has seen ridiculous growth over the past couple of weeks.  Last Friday, RIM informed Kik that Kik Messenger would no longer be available for download on BlackBerry App World and that the couldn’t really reason cite the reason why.  Not giving a reason was kind of stupid on RIM’s part, but, everyone is jumping to a huge conclusion that the reason was because RIM sees Kik as a threat to BBM.

That might be true if it weren’t for the fact that Kik, or anyone for that matter, can host whatever BlackBerry software they want on their own server and allow users to download it until their heart is content.  Unlike on the iPhone and Windows Phone 7 devices, every BlackBerry is capable of downloading and installing BlackBerry software directly from the web.  As a matter of fact, I believe that most BlackBerry software is still download from places other than BlackBerry App World (although the trend is changing).

The fact that Kik hasn’t yet allowed BlackBerry users to download Kik Messenger directly from their site tells me that RIM’s halt of Kik Messenger for BlackBerry downloads from BlackBerry App World might have more to do with Kik Messenger than it does to do with whether RIM thinks that it is a threat to BBM…

All Official BlackBerry Instant Messaging Clients Updated To Version 2.5.69

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Research in Motion has rolled out updates to their official IM clients for Yahoo! Messenger, Google Talk, Windows Live Messenger, AIM, and ICQ.  You can download version 2.5.69 of each of these clients from the links below…

Meebo Launches Multiple Social Network IM Client For BlackBerry

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Meebo, a multiple social network / cross platform instant messaging service has launched a client specifically for BlackBerry. “It’s fast, it’s free, and it’s just plain nice to look at. Available now for touch-screen and trackball models.”

Meebo gives you the easiest, most open and most “right there where you want it” way to share on the web.

Integrating all social networks and communications channels into a single, simple-to-use solution, Meebo enables users to easily share content and communicate in real time with the people who matter to them.

Meebo is a free BlackBerry Download and you can pick it up at the link below…

Download Meebo for BlackBerry

Nimbuzz For BlackBerry Udpated To Version 1.3 — New With Facebook Connect And Chat History

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Nimbuzz, an award winning multi-network, multi-platform IM client has been updated to version 1.3 on the BlackBerry and is now available for download.

Nimbuzz 1.3 for BlackBerry features include:

  • Chat history – so you can continue your chats where you left off.
  • Facebook connect – no more disconnecting errors!
  • See which of your phone contacts are already using Nimbuzz and when they are online
  • Send  free SMS text message invites  to your phone contacts so they can join Nimbuzz

You can download Nimbuzz 1.3 for BlackBerry on BlackBerry App World, or, head here to have an SMS text sent to your device with the OTA download link.