Kik Cross Platform Messenger is Back for BlackBerrys

Kik made a name for themselves as a pretty solid cross platform IM client similar to BBM. They got into some serious business with RIM ending up with feuding lawsuits and RIM pulling Kik’s code signing keys. Terry let us know that Kik is now back and sent out an email to their BlackBerry users about a new Kik version for BlackBerry. It seems like this version is a J2ME app which does not require BlackBerry code signing keys but means it will have very little integration with the rest of the BlackBerry OS. On the other hand it lets Kik make a statement like:

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

You can pick up this version at www.kik.com/jme

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Dev Explains Why Marmalade SDK is Great for Cross Platform Games & Apps

I have been really loving the Marmalade SDK since it was released with beta support for the BlackBerry PlayBook. To me it really is a sign of what is to come with the other engines RIM is bringing to the PlayBook including the Unity game engine and Android/Java Players. DrMop of VisualDreams does a great job on his blog explaining why developers should use the Marmalade SDK for cross platform app development. Here is a bulleted rundown of why:

By choosing to develop your products across multiple platforms:

• You benefit from a much wider audience for your apps and games
• You save a lot of money and time on development, testing and updating
• You can perform updates to your existing apps quickly and easily
• You can share the same unified C / C++ code base across all devices and platforms
• No need to learn (or hire professionals that know) multiple languages, UI’s or SDK’s
• Regularly updated SDK with new platforms and features
• Some of the smaller app stores offer increased visibility and more stable long term sales

And by choosing the Marmalade SDK you also get:

Check out the full details here and let us know what you think!

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eBuddy XMS is Yet Another Cross Platform Messaging Service

 

Its starting to get to the point where a new cross platform messaging service comes out every month. Brent Rose @Gizmodo said it best in “we need another messenger app like we need extra nipples” but the apps do tend to be popular. The latest to launch is eBuddy XMS which has pretty much the same features as all the other cross platform messengers and is available for BlackBerry, Android, and iPhone though it also has a desktop web client. Its free which is important though personally I am more of a fan of their regular eBuddy IM client.

 

You can check out more about it at www.ebuddyxms.com

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IMO Updates BlackBerry Beta Instant Messaging App

 

IMO let us know that they have updated their BlackBerry Beta Instant Messaging app this week. The first release was decent as a cross platform IM client and this beta is throwing in more features. Check out the change log and new features below:

• Voice IMs: send instant voice message IMs up to 30 seconds long
• Send files from your device or capture pictures and send instantly! 
• Facebook Chat and Steam Chat support
• Group messaging: create chat groups with other friends using imo (chat groups also available on the web, and on our iPhone, iPad and Android beta apps

The app is still waiting to go live in App World but you can pick up the beta directly at https://imo.im.

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Pretzil Cross Platform Social Network Passes 850,000 Users & 10 Million App Checkins

Everyone loves a good check-in app but the majority of them let you check-in to locations, specific activities, music, food, etc. What about an app/service that let’s you check-in to an app? That’s exactly what Pretzil is. Where users are checking in to a location using Foursquare (as an example) the same users can check-in to the Foursquare application with Pretzil and earn points for level of activity, socialize with others, discover new content and get rewarded. The Pretzil team announced they’ve passed 850,000 users and 10 million app checkins! From their announcement:

Pretzil is announcing that it has passed 850,000 users and 10 million app checkins on its platform. Pretzil is the first truly cross-platform social network that allows users to checkin to the apps they love whether it be on iPhone, Android, BlackBerry and others.

Pretzil is also an entirely gamified platform where users get rewarded for participating. Checking in to an app earns you points that can be redeemed for virtual goods. This feature is very popular among Pretzil users and growing rapidly in what it offers as rewards.

Of the 10 million app checkins, over 40% of Pretzil users are sharing their location. This enables Pretzil to feed the real-time web with trending data across the 214 countries represented in Pretzil’s user base. It also allows Pretzil to answer the question: “what apps are popular around me?”.

Pretzil will be expanding its database of apps that users can checkin to, as well as a mobile suite to allow for more immediate checkins and app recommendations. Currently, Pretzil has raised $300,000 in angel funding and is entering a Series A round of investment.

Congrats to Pretzil! This startup began in October 2010 and so far it looks like they’re off to a great start. For interested developers, they also offer an API that you can use to integrate Pretzil within your app. For more info or to sign up and see which apps are available to check-in to, head on over to pretzil.com.