I am not quite sure why, but, it seems like I have been using BlackBerry Messenger an awful lot lately. Like most other IM appliactions BlackBerry Messenger is an incredibly efficient way of communicating short messages to other BlackBerry users.
I am sure that I’ve reviewed it several times before here in so I will spare you another “this is BlackBerry Messenger and what here is what it does” post as RIM really hasn’t made any major changes to the application in some time. I’ll just tell you to download here it if you somehow managed to delete it off of your device.
Just in case, however, there are any BlackBerry Messenger developers that work at RIM and by chance happen to be reading this post, what I will say is this… Will you for the love of all things good and cuddly add some type of desktop support so that I can access BlackBerry Messenger through BlackBerry Desktop Manager or something?
I understand that BlackBerry Messenger communicates using PIN messageing over RIMs network so a stand alone Desktop client probably isn’t feasible. Can’t you, however, come up with a way that if my BlackBerry is synched with BDM that I could type and reply to messages via a window on my desktop as compared to having to physically pick the device up?
Please don’t insult my intellegence by telling me that you cannot do it for security reasons. Security was the reason that we couldn’t have BlackBerrys with Bluetooth, removable memory, digital cameras, voice recorders, and MP3 players.
I know that I could just use AIM, MSN Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger or Google Talk, but, those require that the user actually sign up an account. Every BlackBerry user has PIN and, unless they uninstalled it, already has BlackBerry Messenger on their device.
Why don’t you guys see what you can come up with and get back to me. If you come up with something sweet I’ll be sure to tell 20 to 25 thousand of my die hard BlackBerry finatic friends about it.
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
BES Administrator 11.19.08 at 3:23 pm
I know that you don’t want to hear this but security is exactly why you haven’t seen and probably won’t see this type of solution.
RIMs BlackBerry is a closed system between RIMs back end Servers, BES, and BlackBerry devices. What you are proposing is essentially a passthrough from your computer, through your BlackBerry, and onto RIMs secure network.
Doing something like this would open up a gaping hole in RIMs security model because you would essentially create a window from which RIMs secure network could be compromised.
Jono 11.19.08 at 4:16 pm
Web-based app that runs off the server (bes or bis)
My 450 bes users don’t use BB Messenger or PIN messaging at all, so i wouldn’t care for this feature.
bluehorseshoe 11.19.08 at 4:35 pm
“for the love of all things good and cuddly”…? Wow…you must really want it bad.
“good and cuddly?” Did you really write that? (terrible shiver through body)
Honestly, it’s the one thing on my BB that I don’t use. I was actually using all the external clients, such as Yahoo, AOL, MSN, Google Talk, and then discovered after testing that those programs were causing some serious issues with regard to memory leakage. I’ve not used them since receiving my replacement Pearl, and whala…no issues when off.
“good and cuddly”…huh. I’m sorry…
Bishop 11.19.08 at 4:50 pm
ok, let me get this str8. when your BB is connected to your pc and your BB messager buzz, you want a window to pop up on your pc monitor instead of picking up the BB and answering it. RIGHT!! Like the other 3rd party IM’s.
And now BES ADMIN says, that can’t be done because of Security reasons. WOW!! That would be a great feature.
Andrew 11.19.08 at 7:19 pm
I tinkered with this idea a while ago but it isn’t doable using any published API, for those of use that live on BB messenger - it is probably the most requested feature from power users. The security argument doesn’t fly - UMA BB’s use IP to transmit Voice, so text is trivial - regardless of the endpoint.
JerryD 11.21.08 at 5:27 am
First, RIM would never do it. The point of PIN to PIN communication is it is absolutely, positively, no way t0 compromise secure. Creating a desktop client would compromise this security.
Second, there is no need for a desktop client as RIM supplies, for free, clients for ALL the major IM and Social networks.
Although I understand the want for this, I just don’t ever see it happening.
George 12.11.08 at 11:14 am
I think it would be a fantastic idea. Think about it, if you have to have your blackberry attached to the computer via usb or bluetooth to ensure security. I’m no blackberry developer, but I’m sure if someone at RIM thinks long and hard about it, it would be possible while still keeping the integrity of their security system.