Blackberry Messenger options

[hyedipin]

While you can continue using OZ on your branded blackberry and pay $$$ out of pocket for each and every message you send and receive, you can use one of these messengers and pay nothing (other than your data service monthly charge for BES or BIS plans)

beejive :: JiveTalk mobile messaging
Jive Talk is a great alternative to any messenger suite. it comes with AIM, YAHOO, MSN, Google Talk, ICQ and Jabber compatible connections. Downside is that it is not free



Other option is EQO,
EQO - How EQO Works
It is free for messenger options, and just hopes that you will eventually sign up for SMS service, international calling and other premium services. Allows you to connect to MSN, AIM, Yahoo!, Google Talk, ICQ and Jabber!


Blackberry Yahoo Messenger,
http://www.blackberry.com/YahooDownload/index.do
Well, all it does is letting you connect to Yahoo Messenger network over your data connection. This software needs additional service books on your BB and may not work with AT&T.

Blackberry AIM Messenger,
http://www.blackberry.com/devicesoft...ry.do?code=aim
Service books dependent, may not work on all service providers, beware of added charges. Not supported by few carriers.


MSN Live Messenger,
http://www.blackberry.com/devicesoft...ry.do?code=msn
Again, service books dependent, may not work on all service providers, beware of added charges.


VeriChat,
PDAapps
Works on 6xxx and 7xxx series and requires MDS Mobile Data Services enabled. Unfortunately it is not being sold or supported by the original developer, you will have to search for it elsewhere.

Ramble,
Ramble® Instant Messenger
Has a few negative reviews on some forums, never tried, if you would like, please do and report back.


WebMessenger,
"+mimblackberry+"

It works with AOL, MSN, Yahoo, Google Talk, ICQ and Jabber networks, and requires monthly or yearly subscription ($35/yr) with unlimited messages. Will work with any BB that has 3.7 and above. It has 15 days trial. Beware of added network charges, as I don't know if it charges per message or runs over data.

Blackberry Messenger (PIN),
Of course , built in with every BB OS version, it is PIN to PIN messenger, if you have your Data plan, you can send unlimited free PIN messages to other BB users worldwide, unlimited with free of charge. The catch is, you have to know other person's PIN (just device/user number, nothing secret and it is not related to your Bank ATM PIN :p )

[stevenator65]

Good post. For some reason they (at least my bro -in -law's ) blackberry service charges extra just for texting. Why isn't it included in the data plan?

[hyedipin]

No, texting is not included in any BIS or BES plan. It is always extra according to carriers policy. What he can do, talk to his provider and step up to next plan with certain amount of txt included.

For example, AT&T offers plain BIS (internet, e-mail, unlimited data) for $29.99
if you step up, you get BIS+1000 txt+Streaming Media for $39.99.

On the other hand, if your bro-in-law uses a messenger, (especially OZ) it will still go over SMS for each txt or IM. He will need to use one of the above programs that doesn't send/receive over SMS/TXT. Those will strictly work over data plan, an he will not get charged per msg.