Instant Messaging Applications

Instant messaging, is a widely popular method of exchanging short text messages directly with other computer or mobile device users. Instant messaging is distinct from e-mail messaging in that it is intended to be very fast and interactive, much more like a live chat than sending and receiving e-mail.

In order to do instant messaging on your BlackBerry, you can elect to use SMS (Short Message Service), which usually requires an add-on subscription from your wireless service provider.

Although it costs extra and is not a 100 percent guaranteed service, it is widely supported and thus it is probably more likely that a wider range of recipients will be able to receive the messages you send them.

As an alternative to SMS, a number of messaging applications are now available that integrate with popular instant messaging services from MSN, ICQ, AIM, and Yahoo.These applications do not use SMS to communicate. Instead they use your BlackBerry’s data service to communicate with the target messaging service. A clear benefit of going this route, especially if you have an unlimited data plan, is that it can cost a lot less than the available SMS subscription plans from wireless carriers.

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