Earlier this morning (practically yesterday) I mentioned the BlackBerry IM clients got updated to possibly work with OS 5.0, but at the time there was no official changelog or new feature list. Today RIM has officially announced the update with some details.

Here’s the product overview:

BlackBerry® Internet Service Instant Messaging applications are designed to provide BlackBerry smartphone users with access to existing instant messaging communities. The applications provide customers with the interface of their favourite instant messaging applications and the features of the BlackBerry smartphone. BlackBerry Internet Service Instant Messaging applications provide functionality for picture messaging, display pictures, and real-time conversations.

BlackBerry Internet Service Instant Messaging for BlackBerry smartphones version 2.5 is the latest application update. It encompasses some of the more popular instant messaging applications, such as Windows Live™ Messenger for BlackBerry® smartphones, Yahoo!® Messenger for BlackBerry® smartphones, ICQ® for BlackBerry® smartphones, Google Talk™ for BlackBerry® smartphones, and AOL® Instant Messenger™ service (AIM® service) for BlackBerry® smartphones.

Features:

• Add dedicated icons to the Home Screen for one-click access to conversation boxes of specific contacts. The icon appears as the contact’s display picture or avatar.
• Add contacts and display pictures or avatars to the address book to easily instant message, email, SMS, or call right from the address book or conversation box.
• Search through saved conversations
• Add dedicated emoticon icons in the conversation box

The specific version still seems to be 2.5.27. To grab these updates go to mobile.blackberry.com from your BlackBerry Browser, or click here to go directly to the IM client downloads.

Let me know how you like this update in the comments!

I’m being told that the Facebook and IM clients for BlackBerry have been updated to support OS 5.0!

The IM clients were updated to version 2.5.27 from 2.1.48  and the Facebook app was updated to version 1.6.0.22 from 1.6.0.21. Up till now none of these apps were working with OS 5.0. I checked to see if these updates were available to everyone and so far it looks like only the IM client update is. The Facebook update seems to only be available to those running OS 5.0 on their BlackBerry.

All these apps are available for download at mobile.blackberry.com, or if you’d prefer more direct links you can get the Facebook app at blackberry.com/facebook or click here for the IM clients from your BlackBerry Browser.

Let me know in the comments if you can update your Facebook or IM clients and whether you notice any changes besides OS 5.0 compatibility (features, bug fixes, etc). If you’d like to try OS 5.0 check the BlackBerry OS page to see if it’s available for your device.

Thanks @MADBRADNYC and @AtilaUno!

Fuze Box has just released a cool new app called Fuze Meeting, currently available for the BlackBerry Curve 8900, Bold and Storm.

Fuze Meeting for BlackBerry smartphones enables users to launch or participate in a web meeting from their mobile device – a must-have for salespeople, business owners, service providers and all mobile professionals. Fuze Meeting leverages the unique capabilities of the latest generation of BlackBerry smartphones, including 3G, Wi-Fi®, faster processors and elegant displays to allow users to view video content, images and documents. Fuze Meeting also lets users chat securely with co-workers and friends, send meeting invites, and even “fetch” participants from their BlackBerry contacts directly into a conference.

Features:

• Full-featured conference call management – start meetings, invite participants, fetch them into the session, mute and un-mute lines – all from a single interface.
• View meeting participants’ desktops, files and presentations on-the-go, in real-time, while synced with the meeting presenter.
• Watch and listen to high-quality video and audio – start, stop and pause as if you were in the room with the presenter.
• Consolidate multiple IM platforms into one application – login simultaneously to Yahoo, AOL, MSN, Jabber, Google Talk and others

Fuze Meeting is free with usage by up to 3 web users and/or 7 audio users. Just to clarify that, if 3 web users are in the meeting they also count as 3 audio users, leaving 4 audio spaces open, or just 7 audio users but the host has to be logged in through the web. For larger meetings you can check out Fuze Meeting’s pricing options, which include pay-as-you-go, monthly and annual plans.

I can see how this app would be useful with group projects and having small meetings. Even though the Fuze Meetings are limited to a certain number of attendees for the free version, the available features are great.

You can find this app in the BlackBerry App World or get it directly from FuzeMeeting.com. More info in the full press release after the jump.

CONTINUE READING »

Those of you that are running the leaked versions of OS 5.0 know that instant messaging applications aren’t working properly yet (or at all). My buddy @0mie was able to get his hands on leaked versions of BlackBerry instant messaging applications that should work with devices running OS 5.0.

A note from 0mie:

Sidenote: I was asked to make these OTA files, thus the vendor being 0mieTech; if you don’t like that…Plain and simple, don’t dL.

Also keep in mind that since these are leaked versions, you should make a backup and install these apps at your own risk and only if you are comfortable with using beta software.

• Download OTA:
  • AIM 5.0
  • Yahoo 5.0
  • GTalk 5.0
  • MSN 5.0
• How To:
  • Backup And Restore Your BlackBerry
  • Install applications and themes via OTA with or without using data

If not being able to use instant messaging apps was holding you back from trying OS 5.0 and now you want to, check out the BlackBerry OS page to see if OS 5.0 is available for your device.

via 0mieTech

As part of the on-going Deal-of-the-Day (DoD) special offers, there will now be a special “Friday DoD” where you get 50% off popular BlackBerry software every Friday!

Today’s DoD is for IM+ All-in-One-Messenger by SHAPE Services.

IM+ All-in-One-Messenger by SHAPE Services, normally priced at $39.95, for one day only $19.97! IM+, an all-in-one instant messenger, has recently been updated to version 8.0 which supports MSN/Windows Live, Yahoo!, ICQ, AOL, Google Talk, Jabber, MySpace IM, Facebook chat, and Twitter.  This has been one of our top-10 selling communication products for a long time and the product has been continuously updated.  One great thing about IM+ is that this is a  lifetime license with all future updates included and free license transfer to another device (excluding iPhone/iPod).

Head on over to the BBRocks! Store to take advantage of this great offer!

You can also find these same great offers right on your BlackBerry in the on-device Mobile App Store.

Found out about a new and free instant messaging application called Friendplay.

Friendplay is currently in Beta and is supposed to be compatible with Java enabled phones (including BlackBerry), but all my attempts to download it have failed. I figured I’d still let you all know in case you have better luck . Since it’s in Beta it may have bugs, so only download this application if you’re comfortable with testing Betas.

Friendplay allows you to connect to your Yahoo, MSN, Gtalk and AIM accounts over data or Wi-Fi. Besides one-on-one chat sessions users can create multiple chat rooms, add friends to frequently chat friend lists, and backup your contact list!

Friendplay also has non-chat features where you can “Send free SMS”, download ringtones, wallpapers or even videos via Friendplay Mobilefun.

You can download it now by visiting im.friendplay.com from your BlackBerry Browser, or visit Friendplay.com for more info. If you’re able to download it let me know what you think in the comments!

Full press release after the jump.

CONTINUE READING »

The last time I mentioned BeejiveIM was when they released beta version 1.1.2,. which included Facebook support, Plain vanilla chat, multiple login sessions and display pictures.

Beejive has now made public a Storm Beta of their awesome IM application.

This is an early beta and many of the normal features are not currently implemented. This includes chat logs, file transfers, and some other features. Rest assured, these will be added soon.

Remember that this is beta software so it may contain bugs and other defects. Should you experience any, help out Beejive and report it to them so they can make the production version better.

This download is for the BlackBerry Storm series only! You should remove any previous version first before installing the BeejiveIM Beta.

• Download OTA: BeejiveIM Storm Beta
• How To: Install applications and themes via OTA with or without using data

Be sure to report any feedback to Beejive at their forum for the Storm Beta version.

Just got an email about another promotion happening right now for SHAPE Services BlackBerry applications.

Until May 1st, all of SHAPE Services’ BlackBerry apps that cost more than $19.99 are now only $19.99.

Price break down and apps that are part of this promotion:

• IM+ for Skype was $29.95
• IM+ All-in-One Messenger: Facebook,AIM/ iChat, MSN, Yahoo!, ICQ, Jabber, GTalk and MySpace was $49.95
• Mobiola Video Studio: Watch your favorite Videos, DVD, YouTube, iTunes on mobile was $24.95
• RDM+ : Remote Desktop for Mobiles was $49.95
• Mobiscope: Video from webcams on mobile was $29.95
• TSMobiles: Terminal Service client for Mobiles was $44.95
• VR+ : Record your voice, Email and Share in Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, Blogger.com was $29.95
• VNC+: Virtual Network Computing, BlackBerry version was $29.95

All of these applications have free trials if you’d like to test them out before purchasing. This deal allows you to save up to 60% on SHAPE Services applications.

Check it out!

Let me know what you think of them!

It looks like every BlackBerry is supported, except for those on Verizon. Way to win the consumer’s heart, Verizon. Here’s why:

Verizon is the only carrier blocks LifeInPocket (and other 3rd party applications) access to BlackBerry internal GPS**, unless a “business agreement” is established. That means we will have to charge users for our services and split revenue with Verizon just like VZ Navigator ($9.99/month), SocialLife ($1.49/month), Chaperone ($9.99/month), WeatherBug($2.99/month), Wireless Sync Email ($19.99/month) etc. ———— While our preference is to offer our services to end users for free. ———— In order to do so, the alternative way is to use external Bluetooth GPS receivers just like Telenav’s $9.99/month service. More…

Some highlights from the press release:

• Building on the success in the one billion units per year Java phone market, RoadComm, Inc. today made available its LifeInPocket mobile suite, http://LifeInPocket.com to RIM’s BlackBerry smart phones.
• Free of charge, LifeInPocket will upgrade Blackberries with a greater array of functionality than the iPhone. Those features include GPS, navigation, location messaging, friends/family locator, and much more.
• Unlike iPhone’s limited sync capability, LifeInPocket™ enables address book sync/import/export with Yahoo, Gmail, MSN, Hotmail, Outlook Express, Palm Desktop, etc. Users can one-click on those synced contacts to “call”, to “mail” and to “navigate” via their phones.
• The only mobile application/services platform of its kind, LifeInPocket™ symbolizes the next generation of application and services that offers power of top of the line smart phones to regular cell phones and making smart phones smarter.

Read the full press release after the jump.

CONTINUE READING »

Ronen over at BerryReview found out about a new Instango beta version, a free instant messenger application for BlackBerry.

Instango v2.1.41 beta changelog:

• Support for invisible status
• Added notification icon on homescreen
• Added prompt on disconnect/exit
• Now remembering status on every restart
• Option to hide tabs when there is no active chat (on by default)
• Added option to copy received links, not just opening
• Bug fixed when using Wi-Fi a disconnect will not reconnect because instango thinks there is ‘No coverage’
• Bug fixed where contact/account delete was not deleting correct item when list changed before delete was acknowledged
• Potentially fixed bug where contact list display became corrupted on scrolling (Blackberry Storm)
• Bug fix where entered text is being sent when text field is accidentally clicked (Blackberry Storm)
• Fixed bug where chat open for two days will show same date on day change
• Fixed bug where chat not updated on theme change
• LED notification when contact comes online extended to run longer
• Improved loading speed on startup
• Improved traffic usage on startup

If you would like to submit feedback you should go check out the Instango Beta BlackBerry Forum.

• Download: get.instango.com [OTA]
• Info: instango.com