We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more.

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.


Read more

Apple quietly launches iMessage de-registration tool
Apple has launched a new tool to make it easier for iOS users to switch to a competing smartphone platform and not lose text messages. Previously, iPhone users who switched to a rival operating system would still have their numbers locked into Apple's iMessage servers, creating problems with text messages not showing up. Now, with the new tool, users can unregister their numbers from...

NTSB calls for nationwide ban on distracted driving
The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board, or NTSB, is advocating the elimination of distractions while in a transportation vehicle. Citing disasters, sometimes fatal, that could have been avoided if the operator of their transport vehicle, whether that's a car, boat, plane, or train, was focused on the task at hand rather than distractions caused by the use of personal electronic...

250 new emoji could be coming to a phone near you
The Unicode standard has been updated to add an additional 2,834 new characters, which includes about 250 pictographic symbols, or emoji. This expanded list of new symbols could help to add personality to messaging, such as SMS and MMS, Apple's iMessage, BlackBerry's BBM, Google's Hangouts, and other services. "This latest version adds the new currency symbols for the Russian ruble...

You can now text to 911 in an emergency
Starting today, you'll be able to send a text message to 911 in an emergency situation. The service will be supported by AT&T, Sprint, Verizon and T-Mobile. Text 911 is only available in a small set of select cities in the US to start, however it will be rolled out everywhere by the end of 2014. Using the service is easy, just send a new text message to 911 with the details of...