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.
Kik Messenger
Kik Messenger Still Kicking… Reaches 3 Million Users Amid BlackBerry Suspension And A Patent Infringement Law Suit
Research in Motion may have no love for Kik Messenger or the company behind the popular cross platform instant messaging application, Kick Interactive, however, the BlackBerry Messenger-like service has gained over 3 million registered users in 3 months.
Kik-Messenger being BBM-like is undoubtedly the reason that Research in Motion suspended Kik Messenger services on the BlackBerry followed by a law suit claiming patent infringement, but, the delivered, read, and typing notifications Kik Messenger offers give ex-BlackBerry users that familiar BBM feel which has fed the popularity of the app.
[Via VentureBeat]
Research in Motion Suing Kik Interactive For Patent Infringment
I don’t think that it comes a big shocker that, after removing Kik Messenger from BlackBerry App World followed by suspending Kik Messenger push messages to existing BlackBerry Kik Messenger users and throwing terms like “breached contractual obligations” around, Research in Motion has filed a patent infringement law suit against Kik Interactive Inc., the company behind Kick Messenger.
I think that it is a pretty safe bet that Kik Messenger will never again be supported on the BlackBerry platform. This lawsuit, however, brings into question the future of Kick Messenger on other platforms. Details on which patents RIM believes Kik has infringed on aren’t yet available but something tells me that that Kik Messenger’s “sent,” “delivered,” and “read” flags are a big part of the problem.
Will we see a cease and desist next for all Kik services? I think that chances are good…
SMRPodcast #46: Kik To The Curb
Listen Now: [podcast]http://traffic.libsyn.com/simplemobilereview/kik-to-the-curb.mp3[/podcast]
Hosts: Rod Simmons, Chris Ashley, Brent Harman, Robb Dunewood
Recorded: November 23rd, 2010
Published: November 24th, 2010
Duration: 1hr 32min 52sec
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SHOW TOPICS
Chris and Rod talk about Smoking food
- Chris and Rod try to convince Robb to get a Big Green Egg
- Robb says that he does enjoy grilled food
RIM Blocks Kik from App World
- Rod says that RIM may be protecting their servers
- Robb says that the app sucks compared to BBM
- Chris thinks that there is something fishy going on
TJ Max selling the iPad with a $100 dollar discount
- Rod says that the marketing move was brilliant
- Chris says that some of the patrons of these stores can’t afford them
- Robb is considering getting an iPad
Google loses Viacom and others for Google TV
- Rod says that the 45 minute setup time was a deal breaker for him
Windows Phone 7 coming to Verizon this holiday season
- Brent said that he heard December 14th
- Robb says that he will kick it around
- Chris says that this is a good move for Microsoft
PICKS OF THE WEEK
- DVD Fab (App for BlackBerry) Robb Dunewood
- Motorola Bluetooth Speaker (Phone 7Weather App) Rod Simmons
- MSN Movies / Microsoft Tag Reader (Movie Locator App / Tag Reader) Chris Ashley
- Mac Book Air (Apple’s New Laptop) Brent Harman
Opening Song
Leave with Me by Mateus – YouTube
Research In Motion Suspends Push Services To Existing Kik Messenger Users
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
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
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…
Is Anyone Using Kik Messenger?
It took Kik just 15 days to boast 1 million users on their messaging platform, which is rather impressive. If you stack Kik and BBM side-by-side, BBM destroys Kik in every category except one: cross platform messaging. Kik is a hot new enhanced messaging platform that runs on BlackBerry, iPhone, and Android. One of the unique features of Kik is the Facebook-like feature that helps you discover your friends on Kik, almost automatically.