Last we heard about Kik, RIM pretty much gave them the boot as the result of some legal issues. Kik is still kicking on other platforms and it looks like they’ve figured out a way to run on BlackBerry devices again. Instead of being an “official” BlackBerry app, Kik is now a Java application which means it might not have the same functionality it once did but it still offers fast cross-platform messaging:

Kik for BlackBerry devices is crazy fast, super reliable, and more beautiful than ever. It has profile pics, group chat, and the instant, blazin’ speed that our millions of Android / iPhone / Windows Phone users love.

Note: RIM has not endorsed or approved this application for installation on any BlackBerry devices.

They don’t mention exactly which devices or OS versions are supported but if you’ve missed Kik, at least you can download and use it once again. For more info and to get Kik for BlackBerry go to kik.com/jme. Let me know how it works for you in the comments or in the forums!

RIM let me know today they released version 6.0.0.125 of their BlackBerry Messenger application for BlackBerry smartphones. BBM 6 has been available in the BlackBerry Beta Zone for some time but I’m glad RIM finally pushed it out since more developers are updating their apps with BBM Social Platform integration, like Foursquare. Key features of BBM connected apps include:

• Share app experiences with friends – invite a BBM friend from across town or the world to join you in social game play, share restaurant suggestions, or collaborate through productivity apps – without leaving the app
• Have a BBM chat within apps – invite your BBM friends to join a game to get the scores and start talking about the game within the app
• Discover apps through friends – find new apps by viewing BBM connected apps that are automatically posted to a BBM friend’s profile
• Show off – display status updates on your BBM profile such as app status updates, trophies, achievements, pushed data alerts and more

“BBM 6 marks the beginning of an even greater social experience for BlackBerry smartphone users,” said Alistair Mitchell, VP, BBM Platform & Integrated Services at Research In Motion. “It also represents an incredible opportunity for developers to leverage the viral nature of the BBM service and we have already begun working with various developer partners who will be bringing their BBM connected apps to BlackBerry App World this week, offering users highly engaging app experiences.”

For more info and to download BBM 6 go to blackberry.com/blackberrymessenger or read the press release below!

FULL PRESS RELEASE!

Back in early May I let you know about a new application being developed by Fixmo called Fixmo Web Messenger. This app allows you to connect to your BlackBerry from any web browser to send messages with BlackBerry Messenger! Fixmo has officially released this app with a special introductory price. Here’s some info:

• Features:
  • Access BlackBerry® Messenger from any web browser on PC or Mac (flash support required)
  • A secure connection between the web browser and the BlackBerry® device ensure your communications remain safe
  • Experience the Fixmo Web application through either: www.fixmo.com/fwm, the Fixmo Web Messenger iGoogle gadget or the Fixmo Web Messenger Facebook application
• New since the May 1st Beta:
  • Significantly reduced lag with new “Local Wifi” option
  • Pop-out Fixmo Web Messenger into it’s own frame
  • Further enhanced end-to-end message security
  • Support for international characters from the web application
  • Minor bug fixes

Normally $4.99, Fixmo is offering their Web Messenger app at the introductory price of $2.99 with a free trial available. Check it out and let me know how it works for you in the comments!

I first mentioned the WhatsApp application for BlackBerry back in August of 2009. At the time it was free and the application’s description said it was basically a status sharing app. WhatsApp has been re-released and is now available as a premium application with a different description:

WhatsApp is a Smartphone-2-Smartphone instant messenger application and chat service that works over your existing internet data plan. Because WhatsApp uses the same internet data plan that you use for email and web browsing, there is no cost to message and stay in touch with your friends.

The WhatsApp application for BlackBerry is available for all devices running OS 4.5 or higher for $2.99. Unfortunately this app is now only available through the BlackBerry App World instead of directly from the WhatsApp site, which it was before. Check it out and let us know what you think about it!

Just last week I mentioned the problem of BlackBerry Messenger being used as a way of sending spam and hoaxes and it looks like someone else has decided to start their own. An unknown individual (or individuals) started sending the following false message through BBM:

Because of what has transpired in Haiti recently, Blackberry has decided to help out and give 35 cents for the cause when you pass this message along to your friends on BBM.

I got this message and immediately dismissed it as spam, telling the person who sent it to me that they shouldn’t send it to anyone else since it is most likely fake. It looks like I was right because a RIM spokesperson said that RIM “is donating funds as well as BlackBerry devices to the relief effort, but … RIM does not charge a transactional fee for BBM messages and did not originate the message”. The spokesperson also said “the message originated from a legitimately confused user (who misunderstood some other unrelated news about charitable organizations raising funds through the texting medium), or perhaps the information morphed after passing through a string of people,” which I believe could be the case considering the amounts of donating systems set up by carriers recently.

Regardless of this BBM message’s legitimacy, please be aware of spam and hoaxes that being sent through BBM and always question where the sender got the message. If you’re a T-Mobile customer and would like to give to the American Red Cross to help out with the situation in Haiti, you can read more on how to do so here.

via msnbc

Have you gotten any messages through BlackBerry Messenger that seemed odd spammy even? I have and I immediately dismissed the message thinking it was another BBM chain prank. Apparently this is happening on a larger scale because a few others have mentioned it and it was enough for the McAfee Research Blog to notice it. Here’s what they had to say:

The new BBM also enables you to add new users by taking a picture of a barcode which is uniquely created for your BlackBerry pin. This makes it incredibly easy for people who you don’t know to add you to their contact list, which leaves you open to receiving more Hoaxes or Spam messages.

I have personally seen lots of these barcodes on several Social networks and forums and warn those who read this blog not to do the same and only share their PIN with contacts they trust.

Users should be careful who they accept as contacts, as you may start to see a lot more of these Hoaxes or even Spam in your BBM inbox.

While I do agree with McAfee that this is a hoax and putting your BBM barcode out there for all to see leaves you open to unwanted messages, I don’t believe that spamming is all that possible through BBM unless someone is making it look that way. I doubt RIM’s network security would allow such spamming to occur anyway.

Have you gotten a similar BBM message as seen in the photo above? More than one? Let me know in the comments!

via BBCool

RIM sure is updating their native BlackBerry applications more often lately. BlackBerry Messenger version 5.0.0.57 is now available for download from blackberry.com/messenger and mobile.blackberry.com.

This version’s release could be a response to the current data outage affecting North American BlackBerry users, but since there’s no official changelog we can’t say for sure. If you’ve had problems sending messages through BBM today try downloading this update to see if it fixes it.

BlackBerry Messenger was just updated to version 5.0.0.55 and it looks like RIM has updated it yet again less than a few days later. Version 5.0.0.56 is now available for download and so far the only obvious difference the return of Spell Check, which many of you mentioned was gone in version 5.0.0.55.

You can download the new version OTA from blackberry.com/messenger. If you spot any other changes be sure to leave them in the comments!

Thanks Manny & @AtilaUno!