Mobile Messengers
Staying connected is very important, especially while on the go. No longer are people using their cellphone to pick up and call each other, but texting and instant messaging have become the go-to means of communication. There are only so many functions that can be done via a text message, and that is why mobile messengers are taking the lead. There are many different mobile messengers out there that can help you be connected and available to friends, family and colleagues no matter where you are.
Top Mobile Messengers
BlackBerry Messenger
BlackBerry Messenger (also known as BBM) is an internet-based instant messenger application. It comes included on BlackBerry devices, allowing for messaging between BlackBerry users. It was developed by Research In Motion. BlackBerry Messenger sends messages over the internet utilizing the unique PIN system. This makes communication possible between those who have BlackBerry devices. There are many great features that BBM users have come to know and love. You can exchange messages with a single person or with larger groups using chat group. BlackBerry messenger allows users to send pictures, files, and emoticons over the network. BlackBerry devices can exchange BlackBerry Messenger contacts using very powerful technology known as Near Field Communication. You can also add new users by using a QR code, PIN identification and email addresses. You can also share your favorite social BlackBerry applications with friends and contacts via the “BBM Connected Apps”. The most recent release of BlackBerry Messenger 6.2.0.44 occurred in October 2012. It has many new welcomed features including additional emoticons, greater customizability for the user and better developed contact search. You can also animate display pictures using the newest Animated Avatars and transfer voice notes easily. BlackBerry Messenger users can also send and receive messages without having to worry about length. Messages can be as long as you need and will not get cut off by the service. You can even see when your message has been received and read. Videos, photos and music files can all be shared with single or multiple contacts. BlackBerry Messenger is noted for being very reliable, with real-time communication technology. BlackBerry Messenger has over 60 million active users. Over half of those users use BlackBerry Messenger daily. Research in Motion is dedicated to releasing the best and most innovative technology for BlackBerry Messenger.
WhatsApp Messenger
WhatsApp Messenger is an instant messaging application created for use on smartphones. WhatsApp was created in 2009. The WhatsApp Messenger application allows you to text message contacts in real-time over a secure platform. You can also send and receive photos, videos and audio messages. WhatsApp synchronizes with the phone’s address book. Users do not have to add users separately. This means WhatsApp collects data from all user address books in order to make the most convenient matches. WhatsApp Messenger has become increasingly popular, growing from two billion messages per day in April 2012 to ten billion messages a day in August 2012. WhatsApp uses a customized version of the open standard Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol. There have been a few security flaws with WhatsApp Messenger because messages used to be sent in an unencrypted plain-text format. In August, 2012 the WhatsApp support staff made changes in order to make sure that messages are now encrypted for iOS and Android. WhatsApp is free to download and try for the first year for all of the phone types except for iPhone. iPhone users have to pay a one-time fee at the time of installation. After one year, most subscribers will have to pay 99 cents per year for the service. The client software is available for Android, BlackBerry OS, iOS, Windows Phone and more.
Final Thoughts
There are many great messenger apps available for mobile phones. Depending on what you will be using your mobile phone for there are some services that are better than others. Mobile messengers can allow you to do way more than a simple text including animate your conversations. You can also see when a message is delivered and read, leaving no message lost in transmission. There are also applications that group multiple message platforms on your mobile. Other mobile messengers that are worth a look are eBuddy, NimBuzz, Yahoo! Messenger and Meebo. If you are looking to stay connected with friends and colleagues while travelling or away from your computer, mobile messengers are the way to go. No longer will you have to pay data and roaming charges, rather install your favorite mobile messenger for free and be connected.