When you open up BlackBerry App World and look around for instant messaging applications there are plenty to be found, some strictly for BlackBerry, some that work with Facebook, some that work with Google Talk and there are even some that work across multiple devices and platforms.

One of the ones that works across multiple platforms is Hookt. It appeared quite some time ago in BlackBerry App World and since then it has gained almost 3,000 reviews, which is quite a feat. BlackBerry users know and love BlackBerry Messenger but Hookt, some would say, takes it to the next level by offering some additional features not found within BlackBerry Messenger such as stickers and the ability to send messages from your computer or even your BlackBerry PlayBook using the Hookt website. The full set of features includes:

• Group chat – Create group conversations with up to 10 people.
• Stickers – NEW! Send dozens of cool graphic stickers.
• Send messages from your computer or even your BlackBerry PlayBook using the Hookt website.
• Read indicators – Know when your friends have received and read your messages.
• Photos – Share photos from your album or take them on the fly.
• BlackBerry® Push Service – Receive messages quickly and reliably.
• Inbox integration – See your Hookt Messenger chats right from your Messages list.
• BBM (BlackBerry® Messenger) integration – Share Hookt Messenger with all your BBM friends.
• Works with WIFI and all mobile networks. 

It's no secret that I bounce back and forth between devices. Sometimes I use my BlackBerry, sometimes I use an Android device and yes, sometimes I even use my iPhone 4S. Sadly, BlackBerry Messenger isn't available across all those platforms and finding an application that works well on all was rather tiresome until I tried out Hookt.

If you either find yourself switching devices often or just simply want to chat with folks on other platforms, give Hookt a look. The app is beautifully designed and well laid out, plus where it has been out for a while now there are very little hiccups with the actual service itself. Jump on past the break for some more screenshots of the app in action; it really is one of the best BlackBerry apps out there these days both in terms of design and functionality.

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If you're fond of using either Yahoo Messenger, Windows Live Messenger or Google Talk on your BlackBerry device you'll want to hit BlackBerry App World and check for updates. RIM has uploaded new versions of all three, pushing them to v2.5.108. What version you have installed now will of course depend on what OS you're running and whether or not you've updated them previously but either way -- the latest and greatest are available now so get to it.

Download Yahoo Messenger
Download Windows Live Messenger
Download Google Talk

Today imo has announced a beta version of their multiprotocol IM client for BlackBerry. The app is free to download and features multiple services including AIM, Yahoo!, Gtalk, Skype, Jabber, MSN and more. The company has had a web app for quite some time, but this is the first release for BlackBerry Smartphones. While it's still a bit rough around the edges, imo is a pretty decent client if you like the ability to use multiple IM services all in one place. There are plenty of features to keep most users happy, and pretty much all of the "big name" services are included. The app is free (for now) in it's beta form and will soon be on the way to BlackBerry App World. Hit the link below from your device to download. Keep reading for some more screen shots.

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If you using the native IM clients on your device you'll be happy to know you can snag a few updates thanks to the latest Torch OS. Roy let us know that Yahoo!, Windows Live Messenger, Google Talk and AIM have all been updated in the latest OS and you can grab them OTA for your device from the links below. The apps are all OS 6 only, so don't go nuts if you have an OS 5 device. As always use caution when installing leaked software. Head to the forums for more.

Download leaked AIM v2.5.78
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Download leaked GTalk v2.5.81
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Download leaked Yahoo! v2.5.81
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Download leaked Windows Live Messenger v2.5.81
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I've had a lot of interesting conversations this week concerning Kik, the BBM-like cross platform instant messaging application available for iPhone, BlackBerry and Android. Kik is still pretty bare in features, but it's quick, uses data (not SMS) and like BlackBerry Messenger has Delivered and Read confirmation of messages. The majority of these Kik conversations have focused on two key points: one, Kik's amazing growth (upon release they went from 0 to a million users in 15 days and continue to grow) and two, the fact RIM kiked them out of App World and shut down their push service this week (see Kik's plea and RIM's official response).

While the Kik success story/controversy is an interesting one to discuss, the notion that keeps coming into my head when I start talking about Kik isn't Kik itself, but rather Should Research In Motion offer BlackBerry Messenger as an app/service to other smartphone platforms? Let's think about this. The rapid growth of Kik tells me the smartphone world wants a cross-platform BBM-style messenger client. To be the category killer of cross-platform smartphone messaging clients, you need infrastructure, a solid app and a critical mass of users. If a small startup can build an app like Kik and quickly establish their brand and score some awesome growth, just imagine what RIM could accomplish with their massive infrastructure, existing BlackBerry Messenger know-how and brand recognition and global marketing reach. If they decided to go this route, it wouldn't take long for pretty much every smartphone owner to be BBMing, not just BlackBerry owners as it is now (it may not be true BBMing as BlackBerry users know it, but it would be something close enough). Who knows, BBMing could eclipse texting (SMS)!

So should RIM do it? Personally, I think they should. I get the reasons why they wouldn't. RIM makes money from selling smartphones, and right now BlackBerry Messenger is one of those hooks that keeps people on BlackBerry and actually attracts some people to BlackBerry (I've heard stories from carrier reps where individuals walk into the store and ask for the phone that does BBM). But I don't think this reasoning holds up long-term. As soon as a cross-platform BBM-style client emerges in the smartphone space and attains critical mass (ie. Kik or another), even if not as fully-featured as BlackBerry Messenger the hook of BBM starts to diminish. If it's inevitable that a cross-platform BBM alternative is going to emerge down the road, is it not better for RIM to be the one who puts it out? There are some iPhone owners out there who no matter what are never going to own a BlackBerry (Apple fanboys!), but I bet those same people would rock BlackBerry Messenger on their iPhone. 

Anyways... it's something to ponder. Vote on our poll above and let us know what you think in the comments!

The native BlackBerry IM clients got another round of updates earlier this week. Google Talk, AIM, Yahoo!, MSN Messenger and ICQ all now sit at version 2.5.69. Most likely just some minor updates and othing major from what I can tell, but an update is an update. You can grab all the latest versions from BlackBerry App World.

• Download the native BlackBerry IM clients from BlackBerry App World >>

A few days ago the folks from SHAPE Services let us know that they completed their most recent build of IM+ Pro for BlackBerry. This latest release adds in support for the BlackBerry Torch 9800 as well adds support for upcoming BlackBerry 6 devices and those capable of upgrading. Aside from the newly supported device, SHAPE services also added one new feature to the application. That feature, is the ability to integrate your chat history with IM+ for Web. Now, you can go back and review your chats that took place on your BlackBerry any time you do so wish.

• Click Here To Try Out A Free Trial Of IM+ Pro for BlackBerry >>

The native BlackBerry IM clients got another round of updates earlier this week. Google Talk, AIM, Yahoo!, MSN Messenger and ICQ all now sit at version 2.5.63. These were all tested in the Beta Zone for a few weeks so should be good to go all around with some minor updates and even a new icon or two. Nothing major from what I can tell, but an update is an update. You can grab all the latest from BlackBerry App World.

• Download the native BlackBerry IM clients from BlackBerry App World >>

SHAPE Services has recently updated their IM+ application for instant messaging across multiple clients. The new version features an updated UI which offers a much more refined appearance over previous versions. The UI changes were not the only thing added to the v8.5 release however, a few other big fixes and adjustmnents have been made to help make IM+ better for end users. They include:

• Convenient history review for all conversations
• Improved multichat support for MSN and Skype 

If you are already an existing user of IM+ then you may grab the download direct from the SHAPE Services website. And if you have yet to check out IM+ you can get yourself a license in the ShopCrackBerry App Store for $39.95 (yeah we know.. pretty pricey - don't shoot us, we don't set the prices) and a free trial is available if you'd rather just check the app out before purchase.

SHAPE Services announced today that they are making available a free version of their popular IM+ client for BlackBerry. The new IM+ Lite will be ad-supported, but will offer most of the same features of the paid client. Users will be able to access MSN, Yahoo!, Gtalk, AIM, Jabber, ICQ, Facebook, Myspace, Skype and Twitter. The trimmed down version will allow you to get a feel for the more full-feature paid application. I think this is a good idea on the part of SHAPE since their standard app is a bit on the pricey side at $39.95. Hit up the link below to check out IM+ Lite.

• More information and download of IM+ Lite >>
• More information and download of IM+ >>
  

Beejive has long been a BlackBerry user favorite when it comes to all-in-one IM clients, but the high price tag was not. There is no denying that the app does what it does well, but many users chose to stay clear since the thought of shelling out $20+ for an IM app just wasn't cutting it. Well now you can grab Beejive at a much more reasonable price of $9.99 (for a device license, a user license will run you $14.99). This is definitely a better plan for Beejive, although some may still think its a bit high. Beejive incorporates AIM, Gtalk, Yahoo!, Facebook chat and more all into one easy to use IM client. If you've been waiting for what seems like forever for a price drop, then you're in luck. Finally.

• More information and download of Beejive >>

It looks like the BlackBerry native IM clients have been updated once again. Not too much of a leap here, but they've clicked up from 2.5.31 to 2.5.32. No word on the changes in this round, but who doesn't love updates? You can grab the new versions directly from their respective blackberry.com download sites, or head over to BlackBerry App World. Thanks to everyone that sent this in!

• More information and download of native IM clients>>

It's been a long road of beta testing for the BeeJiveIM team but, the day has finally come. BeeJiveIM 2.0 for BlackBerry smartphones is now available for purchase or as a free 30 day trial. If you were a beta tester the new features should be no surprise. But, for those of you out there that may have passed over the beta, new features are as follows:

• Facebook chat: Chat with your Facebook friends while on the go, and see a record of your chats on facebook.com.
• Clickable Twitter usernames: Click on a Twitter username in a chat to launch Twitter.
• Refined and responsive UI: Take advantage of BeejiveIM’s custom-written user interface, offering speedy and responsive controls and a modern look-and-feel.
• Voice notes: Instantly record and send voice messages to your IM contacts. Voice notes are perfect for on-the-go chatting, such as when you are walking down the street or need to get information to someone quickly and don’t have time to type.
• GPS location: Send your current GPS location with a link to Google Maps, taking advantage of your BlackBerry's location features and adding a new location-aware element to your chats.
• More chat styles: Customize your chat styles and colors and set different backgrounds and wallpapers.
• File transfers with all IM services: Easily send, receive, and review file attachments, and see previews of images right inside your chat. 
• Push notifications: Whether running in the foreground or the background, BeejiveIM will always notify you of new instant messages. 
• Improved Battery Life:  Staying in touch with all your friends is now far gentler on your battery.
• Support for the 5.0 OS and Storm:  BeejiveIM supports all BlackBerrys running 4.2.1+ and 5.X operating systems, including the Storm and Storm 2. 

Right now and through the holidays BeeJiveIM is on sale $9.95 for a device license and $14.95 for a user license. That's 50% off the original price of BeeJiveIM. Just be sure to check out the differences between the two options and as always, all versions get free upgrades. Full press release after the jump.

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It seems as though the need for availability and connectivity is becoming increasingly important. This is true in both personal and professional lives. How do you keep connected to the people you know? Are you constantly on Yahoo! Messenger? How about living on Facebook or MySpace? You're probably chatting away on Google Talk or even using Skype. Whatever you decide to help you stay in touch and on top of the latest, you also want to try and keep things simple and organized. The last thing you want to do is find yourself tripping over multiple applications.

If you're looking to incorporate a multi-community mobile social messenger into your communication carousel, Nimbuzz will help you stay in touch with everyone from one place. No switching between programs, no confusion as to who is using what. It's simplified socializing by swiftly shootin' the sh-um...poop in smartphone style (how's that for alliteration?). The social butterfly in you is just dying to read more, isn't it?

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