messenger

RIM may be gearing up to officially announce BlackBerry Messenger 6, the latest version of the BlackBerry peer-to-peer messaging service--BBM to fans.

Real-time gaming among BlackBerry owners is one possible new feature suggested by a source known to the BlackBerry site PocketBerry.

The rumor specifically addressed playing under the BBM log-in name, chatting with other gamers who aren't on your friend list, and integrating gaming results into your status update. BlackBerry Messenger 6 may be supported on all OS 5 devices and up, according to the rumor.

So how far off is the rumor? Hopefully it's right on … Read more

RIM has granted India access to its BlackBerry network, but not the ability to monitor secure customer e-mails.

The BlackBerry maker confirmed today that the Indian government now has the means to access its Messenger service.

"RIM has now delivered a solution that enables India's wireless carriers to address their lawful access requirements for our consumer messaging services, which includes BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) and BlackBerry Internet Services (BIS) e-mail," Research In Motion said in a statement released today and e-mailed to CNET.

But RIM insisted that the access does not include the ability to monitor e-mails on … Read more

Apple's App Store remains the mobile-app marketplace king with the largest number of titles, but Android Market saw the highest growth last year, surging by more than 500 percent, according to a report released yesterday by Distimo.

Tracking the growth of the major mobile-app stores for the U.S., the 2010 Distimo Report found that the Apple App Store grew the most in terms of sheer numbers, doubling its selection of titles to almost 300,000. In second place, the Android Market currently offers fewer than 130,000 apps. But Android apps enjoyed the biggest percentage gain for the … Read more

India has canceled a ban of BlackBerry services that was scheduled to occur at the end of October.

A press release from India's Ministry of Home Affairs on Friday confirmed the news, saying that discussions with RIM had led to an interim agreement under which BlackBerry Messenger services could continue. This agreement provides the Indian government with access to the lawful interception of data over the BlackBerry network, according to the ministry. Further, RIM has promised India that it would offer a final solution by January 31, to give the government continued access.

Details of the agreement were not … Read more

Better wipe the face grease off that smartphone if you've got one: Yahoo plans to bring video chat to users of its mobile chat application.

In an interview yesterday with Reuters, Yahoo's VP of Mobile for the Americas, David Katz told the news outlet that the feature was on the way to the next version of the company's messenger app for both Android devices and the iPhone.

The video chat feature, which is said to work over both Wi-Fi and through carrier's networks, will also be cross-platform, allowing users on their phone to video chat with … Read more

Yesterday the Windows Live team at Microsoft announced the release of Messenger for the Zune HD.

I'm not much of a Messenger user, but one of the big things Microsoft added to the new version of the desktop app is Facebook integration, and that same functionality is built into the Zune version of Messenger. After connecting your Facebook and Windows Live accounts, you can see all Facebook updates and conduct Facebook chats from within the Messenger app. (There's already a standalone Facebook app for the Zune HD; this new app is best suited for users who straddle the … Read more

Microsoft has beefed up its Windows Live Messenger iPhone app with a few new features.

Launched on Monday, Live Messenger 1.1 now lets you incorporate your Facebook account directly into Messenger. You can view updates from and chat with your Facebook friends and update your own profile. Through your Windows Live Service account page, Microsoft gives you some control over the Facebook integration, so you can limit who sees what.

Also new to Live Messenger is a filter for your friends list. You can choose to view all your friends, only those in certain groups, or only those currently … Read more

As of Tuesday, Microsoft's Windows Live Messenger users will now be able to send instant messages to Facebook friends who are logged into the social-networking service.

Microsoft is the first of the major instant-messaging services to connect directly to Facebook Chat. It's part of an effort by the folks in Redmond to evolve Messenger from purely an instant-messaging program to a social hub with activity feeds, video chat, and other connection options.

The addition of the Facebook Chat connection comes as part of an update to the test versions of the next generation of Windows Live programs. Not … Read more

Fresh off her appearance on MSNBC, Caroline McCarthy replaces Justin today to talk Net neutrality, iPhone users getting laid more than Android owners, Fallout New Vegas, and a Web-surfing contest.

There have been a lot of misconceptions and misstatements about Net neutrality. Usually on The 404, we strive never to talk about real issues, but the Net neutrality debate has really stirred up the emotions with Jeff, Wilson and Justin. Caroline helps explains some of the issue from her appearance on Keith Olbermann's "Countdown" on MSNBC, and if it means a lot to you, be sure to check out Wilson's rant yesterday about the issue.

But ultimately, there are several competing interests involved, and we just want make sure that the next Google or Facebook that comes down the road won't have to pay to get priority access. The stakes are high here, people! Everything will be delivered over the Internet in the coming years, from books, to newspapers, magazines, blogs, social networks, video channels, radio, music, etc.

Rant over. Moving on.… Read more