| y are everywhere, in the train, in cafes, in the | | | | PingChat application. Messages are sent over the |
| supermarket; people that are using spare time to | | | | BlackBerry network. And this happens very fast. |
| send a message with their mobile phone. We use | | | | Useful in sending a PingChatmessage is that you |
| it more and more, instantmessaging (IM). Because | | | | as the sender can see if your message is opened |
| instant messaging is convenient. With a quick | | | | by the recipient. |
| message you can let your friends know that you | | | | How can I get free ping? |
| are running late, wish your brother a happy | | | | Free PingChat is possible with a BlackBerry |
| birthday, cheerup your best friend when he has a | | | | subscription. In the subscription, your data usage in |
| bad day, or you share how you are doing with | | | | the Netherlands is included and therefore you do |
| your network. | | | | not pay anything extra to usethis service. You |
| Instant messaging on your mobile phone | | | | only use data. Be aware that if you want to use |
| This real-time and direct form of communication | | | | PingChat abroad, it is not free. |
| via text messages began via computers and the | | | | BeejiveIM BeejiveIM immediately after hatching |
| Internet, but has now also found its space on the | | | | was a great success. The application supports |
| mobile phone between sending ane-mail and | | | | various programs such as MSN, Yahoo |
| making a phone call. Also, the options as to the | | | | Messenger, Google Talk, AIM, MySpace and |
| kind of message is very extensive. Before the | | | | Facebook. And canbe used on all smartphones. It |
| only option you had was text, where now you | | | | is very clear and has lots of options. Example is |
| can also add pictures,videos and spoken text in | | | | the possibility to move conversations to a |
| your message. | | | | separate tab, and the push notification that lets |
| Meanwhile, there is an arsenal of programs that | | | | youquickly switch between appplications. |
| you can maintain your contacts with. A small | | | | Disadvantages are that you probably have too |
| selection from the long list: - Ping ® - MSN ® | | | | many features that you are very likely not using. |
| Windows Live ® - Google Talk ® - Yahoo! | | | | Also you cannot stay logged on for longer than |
| ® - Beejive ® - IM+ - AIM ® - MobileMe | | | | 24 hours. Every now and theninstant messages |
| ® - Nimbuzz - MySpace - ICQ ® - Facebook | | | | and push messages are not send. There is also a |
| Chat | | | | price tag on this application, at this time this is |
| What are the differences between the IM | | | | 8, -.eBuddy eBuddy is not a very extensive |
| applications? | | | | application for the iPhone. With this application you |
| With so many programs to choose from, it is | | | | are able to use less protocols. But it does exactly |
| interesting to know what the differences are. And | | | | what it is meant for, chatting, not moreand not |
| because there are so many different programs, | | | | less. A big advantage is that it is free, but you |
| we look at five widely used programsalso good to | | | | must also create an eBuddy ID, and that costs |
| use with your cellphone: | | | | you a little time. eBuddy’s disadvantage is |
| PingChat (with BlackBerry) | | | | that you only can staylogged for 30 minutes, and |
| The best known form of instant messaging on | | | | that's really not long. |
| the mobile phone is undoubtedly PingChat | | | | IM + With this application that supports more |
| (blackberry pingen), the message service known | | | | protocols than BeejiveIM, you can chat till you |
| from the BlackBerry. Each BlackBerry has itsown | | | | drop. Again you have a push notification feature, |
| PIN code, thus you do not have to sign in | | | | which works very well. In addition,the application is |
| PingChat as you are obliged with, for example | | | | filled with functional gadgets like an auto reply that |
| MSN and Google Talk. The code can also be linked | | | | automatically responds to the person who sends |
| to your name or a nickname, thatyour PingChat | | | | you a message. With IM +, you can stay logged |
| contacts will see. With PingChat, you can stay | | | | on for 3days in a row. |
| logged in indefinitely. | | | | You can do a lot with IM +, but not all features |
| Previously you could only use PingChat from a | | | | are equally practical and functional. In using Twitter |
| BlackBerry to BlackBerry phone, via the | | | | and Skype for example use, you should not |
| BlackBerry network, but meanwhile it is also | | | | expect too much from IM +, butit is a good |
| possible to send a message using PingChat witha | | | | addition. IM + will cost you 3.99. |
| smartphone. You need to download and install the | | | | |