The Race for Cross-Platform Mobile Messaging [SQUAD CHAT]

As all my friends switched from blackberry to iPhones and androids, it became apparent that a messaging service similar to BBM would eventually replace text messaging. After testing six different messaging apps over the past 3 months, we discovered what makes a good messaging app and how this will effect app competition.

Though having a data based messaging app would make talking to all my friends easier, this was not our first focus. We wanted to create a "squad chat." A squad chat is a mobile, cross-platform, group chat that encompasses all our closest friends into one never ending group conversation world wide. We tested six messaging apps (whatsapp, pmessenger, kik messenger, cnect'd, PingChat, crunchSMS) in order to find a cross-platform group messenger.

After testing all the apps, two stood out as the best:

Kik messenger (best cross-platform messenger) does not have group chat, but it has the nicest interface on all three platforms and is quite consistent and reliable. This is currently the inter-squad one-on-one messenger.

Download Kik Messenger

Cnectd (best "squad chat") has the most reliable squad chat, but it's poor stylistic interfaces on blackberry and older android systems makes more of a practical app then a must have app.

Blackberry Download

Android Download

iPhone Download

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The truth is that once Kik has group chats, it will most likely take over as the cross platform messenger of choice. This week alone Kik has been the number 1 and number 3 top downloaded free blackberry app, competing with with Blackberry Messenger as the messenger app of choice. There is not question that the "Kik nation" has started.

MacBook+Blackberry = Internet EVERYWHERE

Are you sick of all those Android commercials for mobile hotspots? Do you love your Blackberry as much as I do? If so you should consider the possibility of using your phone as a 3G wireless modem for your computer, so that your computer can enjoy internet to go.

In the comments for the full instructions thread, people were having trouble finding the right Blackberry scripts for MacBooks, two different websites were posted as solutions. The one that seemed to work for everyone was "Leopard Blackberry Scripts 1" linked below. After download the Blackberry Scripts, then go to the full instructions to configure your Blackberry and Mac.

Step 1 - Download Scripts on Your Mac
Leopard Blackberry Scripts 1 - [DO NOT USE WITH SNOW LEOPARD]
Leopard Blackberry Scripts 2

Step 2 - Complete the Process
Full Instructions

These instructions work for AT&T Blackberry's, for other services some more research may be needed. Also, some service providers charge for tethering phones to computers, please check with you provider before trying this.

Blackberry News: The Blackberry PlayBook

At Research in Motions Development Event, RIM announced their new tablet and iPad competitor, Playbook. This full 1080p out device is scheduled to be released in early 2011. The new device is thinner than an iPad, has both a back facing and a front facing HD camera, offers flash, java, html 5 with a dual core processor and 1 GB of ram.

RIM has recently been in the news as Blackberry Bans were being discussed in Saudia Arabia and Dubai since the RIM network is encrypted.

Rim Stock - Over the Past Month [Google Finance]

When looking at the RIM stock over the past month, two things are clear. In the month of September 2010 the Rim stock reached a 1 year low. But as news of the devices launch has surfaced, the RIM stock  has been improving after its Playbook release.

Specs From Gizmodo:
— 7" LCD, 1024 x 600, WSVGA, capacitive touch screen with full multi-touch and gesture support
— BlackBerry Tablet OS with support for symmetric multiprocessing
— 1 GHz dual-core processor
— 1 GB RAM

— Dual HD cameras (3 MP front facing, 5 MP rear facing), supports 1080p HD video recording
— Video playback: 1080p HD Video, H.264, MPEG, DivX, WMV
— Audio playback: MP3, AAC, WMA
— HDMI video output
— Wi-Fi - 802.11 a/b/g/n
— Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
— Connectors: microHDMI, microUSB, charging contacts
— Open, flexible application platform with support for WebKit/HTML-5, Adobe Flash Player 10.1, Adobe Mobile AIR, Adobe Reader, POSIX, OpenGL,Java
— Ultra thin and portable:
— Measures 5.1"x7.6"x0.4" (130mm x 193mm x 10mm)
— Weighs less than a pound (approximately 0.9 lb or 400g)
— Additional features and specifications of the BlackBerry PlayBook will be shared on or before the date this product is launched in retail outlets.
— RIM intends to also offer 3G and 4G models in the future.

The Blackberry Playbook also an open product, as the Blackberry Tablet OS is completely Open Source, allowing companies like Netflix and other major app companies to create software for the tablet.

Sources: [Business Insider] [Gizmodo] [Blackberry - North America] [Google - Finance]