If you use eBuddy XMS on your BlackBerry as a cross-platform messenger, you will be happy to learn that a new version has been released that not only adds support for older OS' (4.6 and above) but also group messaging! You can now chat with up to 30 of your friends at once, whether they are on BlackBerry, iOS, Android, Windows phones, or Nokia. They even have a desktop application, so if you don't feel like picking up your phone you don't have to.

If you don't currently have an app for cross-platform messaging, or maybe you're looking for something new to try, eBuddy XMS has a lot of features you might enjoy. XMS users in your phone book are automatically added to your XMS contact list, and you can link your Facebook account to find more friends. Messages also have sent and read indicators, (a la BBM) so you always know the status of your message. And since the messages are sent via your internet connection, you don't have to worry about texting overages or extra fees. You can find eBuddy XMS in BlackBerry App World for free at the link below, and for other platforms simply visit ebuddyxms.com.

More information/download eBuddy XMS

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.

Download Hookt Messenger for Free

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Every couple of months, RIM decides to go ahead and update their in-house developed Instant Messaging clients for BlackBerry smartphones. They never typically include any change logs with them so as the sizes of the apps continue to go, no one knows exactly what has changed.

Such is the case this time around as well. All RIM clients including Yahoo, Google Talk and Windows Live Messenger have been updated to v3.0.0.19 for those of you out there making use of them. You can grab the downloads for each below, however -- you may wish to avoid the Google Talk one as there has been reports of it not accurately showing online contacts that are available. Thanks, @Rootbrian_

Download Yahoo! Messenger
Download Google Talk
Download Windows Live Messenger

If you use the messaging app Kik for BlackBerry, you will be happy to learn that it has received an update. The new release is said to dramatically improve Kik's performance and battery usage, so if you frequently use the app you will want to be sure to grab the update. This can be done from within the app. Simply go to Settings in the menu, then choose "Help & About Us". Select "Check for Updates" and install from there. If you don't currently use Kik and would like to download it, you can do so at the link below.

More information/download Kik for BlackBerry

SHAPE Services has just released an update for their popular instant messaging service IM+, bringing it up to v9.2. This is a pretty cool update, as they have now added in support for native BlackBerry OS Push service and inbox integration.

Other changes include:

• Mail.Ru Agent instant messaging service
• Translator+ service is no longer supported
• Bug fixes

While IM+ isn't a cheap application, it really packs a lot into just one app, making it worth the $19.99 price tag if you use a lot of instant messaging apps. You can chat using MSN, Facebook, Skype, Yahoo!, Google Talk, AIM, Jabber, ICQ, VKontakte, Yandex Chat, MySpace and use Twitter all from within the app - meaning you no longer need to take up a bunch of room on your device with individual apps for each one. There is a free version of IM+ available (ad supported) as well.

More information/download the free version of IM+ for BlackBerry
More information/purchase the ad free version of IM+ for BlackBerry

The other day when we posted about the RIM built instant messaging clients being updated, a few people asked about AIM and why it never received the same treatment. Well, reason is because the RIM built AIM client for BlackBerry smartphones is being replaced by one built specifically by AOL themselves. It's actually been available for quite a while but now -- RIM has sent out notifications letting users know the RIM built version will indeed stop working soon:

Beginning October 28, 2011, the AOL® Instant Messenger™ (AIM) for BlackBerry® smartphones application which you may currently be using is being discontinued and will no longer be supported. You may continue to access AIM service for your BlackBerry smartphone through a new AIM for BlackBerry® application built by AOL, which includes new capabilities such as letting you stay connected with your AIM Buddies and Facebook Chat friends while on the go.

To update to AIM for BlackBerry® built by AOL, please visit: http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/13833 and follow the on-screen instructions. To remove your current version of the AOL Instant Messenger for BlackBerry application, please refer to the support article at http://www.blackberry.com/btsc/KB26171

Please remember to install the new AIM for BlackBerry® application built by AOL before October 28, 2011 in order to continue sending and receiving AIM instant messages on your BlackBerry smartphone.

Thank you,

Research In Motion Limited 

If you're making use of the RIMbuilt client, make sure you go ahead and grab the AOL built version as soon as possible to avoid any problems further on down the road. Thanks, Jessica!

We've mentioned the imo multi network messaging client in the past, back when they first launched in beta and now they've rolled out the latest version that adds some great features to the mix. The latest additions to the app:

• Location Sharing: Let your friends know where you are quickly by sharing your location
• Image Preview:  Preview pictures you send and receive using imo
• Chat History: Option to save and view your chat history in the app 

Managing a lot of instant messaging clients on BlackBerry has never been really easy, while RIM offers native clients for it having an all-in-one solution is a better way to go. Having an all-in-one solution that is free, makes it even better.

Download imo beta for BlackBerry

If you're a Google Talk, Windows Live Messenger, or Yahoo Messenger user, you'll be happy to learn that the BlackBerry applications for these apps have been updated in App World, and now sit at v2.5.84. Interesting to note, the version of these apps that was pulled from the leaked BlackBerry OS 7.0.0.176 was v2.5.85, just a hair above this official release. As usual, no word on what the changes are with this update, so if you notice anything new, be sure to let us know!

Download Google Talk from BlackBerry App World
Download Windows Live Messenger from BlackBerry App World
Download Yahoo Messenger from BlackBerry App World

I have never really been into any of the cross-platform, BBM-like instant messaging services. But LiveProfile is the one that I have been waiting for. I have used it for iOS and Android and must say, it is my 2nd favorite IM client, behind BBM of course. The app features familiar sent, delivered, and read notifications, "is typing a message", as well as a PIN system for adding friends (although you can scan your address book for email addresses of current users). You will also get the usual amenities like status updates, online availability, and file transfers. For months their site has shown it's availability for BlackBerry as "Coming Soon" and it looks like later this week the wait will be over. The official LiveProfile Blog had this to say:

In anticipation for our BlackBerry launch this week we began to upgrade our infrastructure to handle the flood of new users.

It's nice to see a company upgrade their servers before releasing their app, instead of crashing them and then upgrading. I really look forward to the app's release. I dare say it is the most instant of the instant messengers out there. I just hope they don't pull a kik. At least they don't have any former RIM employees on their staff, that I know of. Hit the break for some pics of the app.

More information on LiveProfile's website

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One of the most requested apps I have seen over the past year is a good chat application for Facebook. AHaz Designs has met the request with his new application, Improved Chat for Facebook. The application does just what you expect it would. It allows you to chat with all of your online Facebook friends, and in a familiar chat interface. The app features homescreen notifications, editable sounds in your device's profiles, automatic saving of conversations, and the ability to update your Facebook status right from the application. This is all done through a secure login to Facebook.

You can pick up Improved Chat for Facebook at the CrackBerry App Store, on sale for $1.99.  The application is compatible with all devices running 4.7 and up, including BlackBerry 6.

More information and download of Improved Chat for Facebook

It's been a while now since the intial release of Trillian for BlackBerry which, launched into BlackBerry App World with version 1.0. Now, the Trillian team has been busily working on version 1.1 which is now available as a free beta download. The latest release takes a lot of the feedback generated from the first beta and implements it by offering many bug fixes and even more improvements to the application as a whole.

Changes In Version 1.1 Include:

• Landscape support.
• Messages inbox integration.
• New emoticon button and browser.
• Group contact list by service.
• Option to start Trillian on device boot.
• Much faster opening of message windows.
• ‘Connect all’ and ‘disconnect all’ options.
• Various other bugfixes and minor improvements. 

This latest release is now available as a free OTA download and any feedback of course is appreciated as it will help make the application better in the longrun. Those of you out there that have bought Trillian in the past, will get a free upgrade to this version upon its release as well, so no need to worry about purchasing the app again.

• Click Here To Download The Free Beta Of Trillian For BlackBerry Version 1.1 >>

Meebo, the web service that offers online instant messaging across multiple social networks has rolled out their BlackBerry client in beta form. Users looking for a better way to keep all their social network friends together can now download the free application to their devices to get started. The application, which uses a custom built UI allows you to access your Meebo account on the go. Since Meebo supports AIM, Yahoo, GTalk and more you shouldn't have to really worry about not being able to stay in touch again. You can learn more about Meebo via their website and if you're wanting to take the application for a spin, registration can be completed on your BlackBerry. Hit the link below to download and view more details about the Meebo for BlackBerry app

• Click Here For More Information And Downloads>> 

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 >>

Nimbuzz has recently updated their instant messaging application for BlackBerry. Version 1.3 is now readily available for download. This release will solve a lot of issues folks were having as well as add some new features.

• 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 grab the latest Nimbuzz release from BlackBerry App World today or you can head on over to their mobile site and grab the download as well.

• Click Here To Learn More About Nimbuzz And To Download The Latest Version>>

Ok, I admit it. The title is kind of misleading in the fact it makes you think Kik is just now being supported. This is not the case. Kik has been compatible with the BlackBerry Torch 9800 since it's release and is expected to work with other BlackBerry 6 devices as they launch further on down the road. This is just basically a reminder for those of you out there that have a BlackBerry Torch.

You can download Kik through BlackBerry App World today and it will work just fine on your BlackBerry Torch. Since a lot of applications will need to be updated for BlackBerry 6 compatability, it's nice to see some that are already up and ready to go. Kudos to the folks at Kik for sure.

• Click Here To Download Kik From BlackBerry App World Today>> 
• Click Here To Learn More Abt Kik, The Cross Platform Messaging App>>