Finally! BlackBerry users everywhere should now be able to take advantage of AOL and ICQ (does anybody use ICQ anymore?!) instant messengers as well as AOL mail on their BlackBerry smartphones. At least that's what the Press Release issued by RIM says. I've heard from lots of Verizon and Rogers subscribers that they are now up and running with AIM, but as Ronen point outs it may not be available to everyone just yet (if you give it a try let us know in the comments if it is/isn't working for you. Note: you may want to resend your service books to ensure the current stuff for AIM gets through). Full app details and download instructions from the official announcement can be found after the jump!
AIM and ICQ for BlackBerry Smartphones
AIM and ICQ users make up one of the largest and most dynamic online and mobile communities with tens of millions of users worldwide and AOL and RIM have been working together to develop native software applications for BlackBerry smartphones that deliver a desktop-like mobile experience for the popular instant messaging services. The free AIM and ICQ applications will allow users to have a rich IM experience that is deeply integrated with their BlackBerry smartphone.
For example, users will be able to send pictures from the BlackBerry smartphone's camera application to their friends on AIM or ICQ, as well as see AIM or ICQ messages in their regular BlackBerry smartphone inbox. Users will also benefit from tight integration between AIM, ICQ and the BlackBerry Address Book. Users will be able to associate a contact in their IM contact list to the respective contact in their BlackBerry Address Book (and vice versa), which will allow the user to initiate an IM session from within their BlackBerry Address Book and initiate a phone call, email, SMS or MMS from within their AIM or ICQ session.
From their BlackBerry smartphone, AIM and ICQ users can also:
- Access Buddy List features including the ability to see if contacts are online and available to chat (i.e. presence);
- Set customized away messages and manage their AIM or ICQ online status (e.g. available, away, in a meeting, etc.) directly from the BlackBerry smartphone's home screen without launching the AIM or ICQ application;
- Set alerts to notify them when a contact's online availability changes;
- Select the Auto Sign-In option which will automatically sign them into AIM or ICQ when their BlackBerry smartphone is powered on;
- Use Picture IM to send and receive images;
- Log and save IM conversations for personal records or to email them to other contacts; and
- Select from a collection of pre-set emoticons to further customize their instant messages.
Once AIM or ICQ has been set up, an icon is automatically installed on the BlackBerry smartphone's home screen so that access to instant messaging is only a click away. Once launched on the handset, the instant messaging applications can run conveniently in the background, broadcasting the user's presence to their "buddies" and allowing immediate notification of incoming messages.
AOL Mail for BlackBerry Smartphones
AOL Mail for BlackBerry smartphones leverages the "push" architecture inherent in the BlackBerry platform and AOL's notification services to automatically deliver AOL Mail messages virtually simultaneously to the user's online account as well as to the user's BlackBerry smartphone. The status of messages that have been sent, read, replied to, forwarded or deleted from the smartphone are automatically reflected in the user's online AOL Mail account. Users can create a dedicated AOL Mail inbox on their BlackBerry smartphone or choose to set up a single inbox on their smartphone to store AOL Mail as well as messages from other IMAP or POP 3 e-mail accounts.
BlackBerry smartphone users with software version 4.5 or higher will also be able to view HTML email, download attachments and edit Microsoft(R) Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents on the smartphone.
Availability
AOL Mail, AIM and ICQ for BlackBerry smartphones are available now in the U.S. and are expected to become available in other countries around the world over the coming months.
More information on setting up AOL Mail on a BlackBerry smartphone is available at http://mobile.aol.com or at http://www.blackberry.com/email.
The native AIM and ICQ applications for BlackBerry smartphones can be downloaded from http://www.blackberry.com/instantmessaging.
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kash311 Sep 10, 2008 at 11:44 am
i have a verizon 8830, and i've been waiting for a long time for AIM access on my bb. it works and looks great.
gotroot801 Sep 10, 2008 at 11:51 am
I just bought a lifetime license for Jivetalk...
frankrmineo Sep 10, 2008 at 12:03 pm
Does this app use text or data?
XGaSpAcHo Sep 10, 2008 at 12:50 pm
That's what I'd like to know...
daviesgravey Sep 10, 2008 at 12:04 pm
So I went to the link provided, and it tells me AIM and ICQ are not available for my device. I have an 8300. :(
jc Sep 10, 2008 at 12:05 pm
Notice
Sorry, your device does not meet the system requirements that are needed to support AOL Instant Messenger for Blackberry. On AT&T 8300.
jc Sep 10, 2008 at 12:05 pm
Notice
Sorry, your device does not meet the system requirements that are needed to support AOL Instant Messenger for Blackberry. On AT&T 8300.
jc Sep 10, 2008 at 12:05 pm
Notice
Sorry, your device does not meet the system requirements that are needed to support AOL Instant Messenger for Blackberry. On AT&T 8300.
iceman138 Sep 10, 2008 at 12:07 pm
I just installed the AIM application on my Pearl 8830 and it works great so far. It's exactly like the G-talk application, so simple, light, and easy to use. I'm curious to find out the impact to battery life.
thewaffle Sep 10, 2008 at 12:16 pm
doesn't work with ATT 8310 or TMOB 8100
lcoulombe Sep 10, 2008 at 12:19 pm
I just didn't download it and installed it since I use JiveTalk.
JustJoey Sep 10, 2008 at 12:21 pm
I get the same incompatibility message on my ATT 8100. *sigh*
locciola17 Sep 10, 2008 at 7:48 pm
yep...STILL doesnt work
Anonymous Sep 10, 2008 at 12:28 pm
Well, its not bad, but there are still things missing. This is the AIM that came when I updated to OS 4.5, just that u are now able to change ur away msg to soemthing besides "away." It doesn't allow u to see ur buddies away msg, kinda sucks cuz my friends always put something funny as their away msg.
Anonymous Sep 10, 2008 at 12:29 pm
Not working on AT&T with 4.5... Says my device is not supported
cbs2669 Sep 10, 2008 at 12:33 pm
Something else that doesnt work for my phone...8310
ash15nicole Sep 10, 2008 at 12:37 pm
Does AIM work with Sprint Pearl 8130???
Anonymous Sep 14, 2008 at 4:58 pm
yes . . . I had it on my Sprint Pearl when I had it.
L guevara Sep 10, 2008 at 12:52 pm
I have the 8320 on tmo. I have been waiting for an upgrade of aim.
Yesterday, I checked to see if there was an upgrade and there was.
I upgraded from 1.1.15 to 2.1.32 and now I get a message "service not emabled for this handheld" wtf? I did a hard reset, re-sent service books, removed app and re-installed and nothing.
It also does not give me a way to downgrade. Looks like I'm stuck. I would have not downloaded this app if it was not released on mobile.blackberry.com.
Are there any solutions?
angelchrys Sep 10, 2008 at 1:05 pm
I have the 8100 on T-Mobile and I'm getting 'Service is not enabled for this handheld' for both ICQ and AIM.
tsatsut Sep 10, 2008 at 1:37 pm
not working on my at&t 8310 either!!!
Ron44 Sep 10, 2008 at 1:58 pm
Does not allow download for me. Anyway I will just stay with instango for now. Works perfectly fine for me.
modfish Sep 10, 2008 at 2:04 pm
not supported 4.5 on 8310 fing AT&T
I just switched from verizon and now AIM works for them....
killingwthasmile Sep 10, 2008 at 2:13 pm
Everyone, last night i posted a thread in the 83XX forum with a way to make AIM work on AT&T. Ive been using it all day and am currently using it right now. Search for my post in the 83XX forum and it'll help you to make it work. Its pretty simple.
glamcam Sep 10, 2008 at 3:55 pm
Sweet. The old Aim sucked then they removed it completely. Now I have it again. I don't know how much Imma use it but I have the option! I love options.
glamcam Sep 10, 2008 at 4:01 pm
Ha! They fooled me. Service is not enabled for this handheld. What does this mean? I pay enough money to tmo everymonth that I should have evrything (if that's what they are talking about).
MrWhistler Sep 10, 2008 at 4:29 pm
Works on my US Cellular 8330. Had to resend service books before it would sign on though.
StangTV Sep 10, 2008 at 4:58 pm
Ok, this is a really cool tool. It does exactly what it is supposed to do on other peoples devices but not MINE!
sheena.lee Sep 10, 2008 at 5:02 pm
I have an 8330 on Telus - works perfect!
darylxnelson Sep 10, 2008 at 5:08 pm
killingwithasmile how did u do it can you pm me instructions.
Dj.E.L.I. Sep 10, 2008 at 5:22 pm
Yea i'm geting 'Service is not enabled for this handheld' anyone fix this. I have a curve 8320 with tmo
TiaBia Sep 10, 2008 at 5:30 pm
Both ICQ and AIM definitely do work on the tmobile 8320. I installed both today with no problems. Maybe do a hard reset and then try to install them from www.blackberry.com/instantmessaging from the BB browser.
Anonymous Sep 10, 2008 at 5:44 pm
> BlackBerry users everywhere
Sorry, this is not true, I tried to download both apps but it shows the message, that my device (Curve) or carrier (here in Germany) ist not supported.
JerryD Sep 10, 2008 at 7:17 pm
AIM and ICQ Now on BlackBerrys Worldwide!
EXCEPT THE WORLD ACCORDING TO THE A**HOLES AT AT&T!
NO MORE BLACKBERRY MAPS WITH THEM EITHER WITH OS 4.5 - _THAT'S_ WHY THEY'LL BE COMING OUT WITH THE 4.5 UPGRADE WITHIN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS!
AAAAAAASSSSSSHOOOOOOOOLES!
(with apologies to Wanda!)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095159/quotes
pipewerkz Sep 10, 2008 at 7:59 pm
...of course. The only IM service i use and it doesn't work on AT&T yet, or ever maybe...
What's this I hear about BB Maps not working on 4.5? I've been using 4.5 for about 2 months and my BB Maps have worked the whole time on AT&T. GoogleMaps is better anyway...
CdnFlyer Sep 10, 2008 at 9:51 pm
You can't believe how happy I am that this is available for my Telus Pearl 8130, just downloaded it...works great!
mikebchicago Sep 10, 2008 at 10:38 pm
does anyone know if this app uses internet data or text messaging as the basis for the IMs?
(oh wait it doesn't matter it won't work)
mikebchicago Sep 10, 2008 at 10:33 pm
does anyone know if this app uses internet data or text messaging as the basis for the IMs?
ramajentertainment Sep 10, 2008 at 10:39 pm
I had pretty much abandoned ICQ because it was tied to my PC , and I had been using it religiously since about 2000. Glad to finally see its available for a Verizon BB.
Installed it without any issues ( Curve 8330 - OS 4.3.0.127) and I've been catching up with my ICQ friends all evening...
m1k3k Sep 10, 2008 at 10:47 pm
it works with no problem. wish i could mute sounds it makes though
mikebchicago Sep 10, 2008 at 10:48 pm
does anyone know if this app uses internet data or text messaging as the basis for the IMs?
mikebchicago Sep 10, 2008 at 10:56 pm
does anyone know if this app uses internet data or text messaging as the basis for the IMs?
boldkevin Sep 11, 2008 at 12:37 am
Both AIM and ICQ work great over WiFi on my Bold! I'm roaming in the U.S. right now so I have 2G/3G data services intentionally turned off since I'm scared of using too much data. Chat probably uses minimal data but I don't want to be tempted to launch Google Maps with Satellite View turned on while I'm at $6.14/MB. I'll wait until I get home to try it on 3G. I was trying out JiveTalk and IM+ but I'm glad these free AOL ones came out now.
To answer the earlier questions about SMS, these apps don't use SMS for IMing -- that's the old way described at: http://mobile.aol.com/aolproducts/aimtxt
Duvi Sep 11, 2008 at 2:55 am
The AIM app may use a little bit more data than you think.
Duvi Sep 11, 2008 at 2:53 am
I think this is great!
StangChick Sep 11, 2008 at 10:43 am
Ok....how come my AIM buddy list never updates when I'm online (on my pearl) with it? No one is ever online, or it's an old list. Very weird. Anyone who can help please email me. day_dreams_23@live.com
THANKS!
StangChick Sep 11, 2008 at 10:45 am
Sorry I meant my curve 8330! I just want to know how to update my buddy list. When I sign on it, its the same everytime and none of my contacts are there either!
Anonymous Sep 12, 2008 at 12:01 am
this app should be using data and not texts (sms) like the previous version for blackberry. If you read the BB mobile site where you can download the app it says something like 'fast, real-time messaging'...
davisesq212 Sep 12, 2008 at 12:43 am
help
WhoahShutItDown Sep 12, 2008 at 7:16 pm
I currently have a Vzw 8830 and after installing this program and trying to sign on, I keep getting "Internal Error! Try Again Later!" It will sign on for a second and show my buddy list, then show the error. What gives? Anyone have a fix? I've resent my books and the HRT as well as made sure all of my login info is correct...Email me if you have a fix please!
Anonymous Sep 13, 2008 at 2:52 pm
So I thought after reading the forum, "O it won't happen to my blackberry." Guess I was wrong (AOL instasnt messenger does not work for T-Mobile Curve.
Garrickberry Sep 15, 2008 at 12:25 am
Not working for my T-Mobile 8320 Curve, I just downloaded a trial for JiveTalk and have 20 days left and really don't feel like wasting the money if I could have it as a free app. Anyone know any fixes?
Garrickberry Sep 15, 2008 at 12:27 am
The old aim app was crappy considering I could only see 30 buddies, so obviously I'm talking about the new one.
help? Sep 25, 2008 at 3:29 am
"Vzw Internal Error
By: WhoahShutItDown (not verified) | Date: Fri, 09/12/2008 - 17:16 | reply
I currently have a Vzw 8830 and after installing this program and trying to sign on, I keep getting "Internal Error! Try Again Later!" It will sign on for a second and show my buddy list, then show the error. What gives? Anyone have a fix? I've resent my books and the HRT as well as made sure all of my login info is correct...Email me if you have a fix please!"
Having the same issue as the quoted post.
nahrah Sep 28, 2008 at 4:35 am
I fixed it just deleted aim and redownload it and it worked again.