messenger

Facebook is releasing updated Messenger and Facebook apps for Android today, touting a better design and more features.

For the messenger app, users can now swipe left anywhere on the app to see which of their friends is available to chat via Facebook, and send and receive text messages within the app from certain Android phones, according to a blog post.

The update is available today and the text message feature is currently supported on the HTC EVO 3D, HTC One X, LG Optimus Black, LG Optimus Hub, Samsung Galaxy Ace, Samsung Galaxy Nexus, Samsung Galaxy S3, and Samsung Galaxy … Read more

Facebook has been beaten up hard for the state of its mobile apps, but today the company wants the public to know that it thinks things are picking up.

In a press event at its headquarters today, the social network touted its improved ratings in the Apple app store following an upgrade of its iOS app.

"This is just the start for us," said Mick Johnson, Facebook's product manager for mobile. "We can now see a clear path forward to do all the things that we want to do."

The rampant shift by users to … Read more

Kik Messenger for iPhone is a free, easy-to-use tool that has all the characteristics of a messenger application, as well as the advantage of texting, in an all-in-one, well-designed app. Its clean, uncluttered user interface will make interactions smooth, and the app will soon become one of your favorite texting tools.

We love how the developers have opened access to all mobile platforms and provided some great features you may miss on a computer-based social networking app. It is compatible with both portrait and landscape layouts, and you can switch between these at anytime. You don't have the limitation … Read more

Yahoo Messenger (Classic) for Mac is the Mac version of the popular Windows YM, a communication app for anyone with has a Yahoo account. Considering that its Windows-based version is one of the most-used messaging apps, we were eager to see how the app performed. What we found were some nice features but nothing that really stands out over other messaging apps.

The application's user interface is well-designed and has all the control buttons available at a glance. What we liked is that the platform is finally opening its doors by adding support for MSN, Lotus Samtime, and LCS … Read more

IMVU is "the world's largest 3D Chat and Dress-Up community." Launched in 2004, Instant Messaging Virtual Universe is simple in concept: Combine the social networking power of IM chat with a 3D virtual "universe." Participants create elaborate new identities, called avatars, that give free rein to self-expression. As with other virtual communities, you can make friends among IMVU's millions of users. But IMVU is much more than a 3D chat room: it's a real simulated world (or the real world, simulated). You can design, make, buy, and sell things like clothes and accessories, … Read more

Move over Paris. Kashyyyk (aka Wookiee Planet C, G50623, or Edean) is now home to a booming galactic fashion accessory business.

The Chewbacca Messenger Bag is a semi-faithful replica of the bag sported by fuzzy Chewbacca in the "Star Wars" series. The strap looks like a flat version of the one Chewbacca wore. There's a subtle embossed "Star Wars" logo on the front. … Read more

Google+ for iOS is a clean and intuitive mobile app that has all of the powers of its desktop counterpart, save for the games and a few other minor features. The latest version brings Events and Hangouts to the iPhone, while the iPad gets Hangouts as well as a stunning, tiled Home screen that's optimized for the larger screen.

Home What used to be called Stream is now simply your Google+ Home screen. This is the lifeblood of Google+. With the little drop-down at the top, you can choose to show feeds from All Circles, Nearby, What's Hot (… Read more

Gone is the dashboard of icons that once greeted you upon opening Google+ for Android. Now, you can zip around the app with a sliding navigation ribbon on the left of the screen. This gives you easier access to your Stream, Profile, Messenger, Hangout, Photos, and Circles. As a whole, the app is easy to use and just as intuitive as its desktop counterpart.

Home What used to be called Stream is now simply your Google+ Home screen. This is the lifeblood of Google+. With the little drop-down at the top, you can choose to show feeds from All Circles, … Read more

BlackBerry Curve 9310 owners will soon be able to IM as much as they want through a new plan offered by Boost Mobile.

Slated to kick off July 10, Boost Mobile's BBM Unlimited plan will provide worldwide and unlimited access to RIM's BlackBerry Messenger service. Unfortunately, most BlackBerry users will be out of luck as the offer is designed exclusively for the BlackBerry Curve 9310, RIM's new $99 smartphone set to debut the same day.

The BBM Unlimited plan throws in unlimited nationwide talking and texting for $45 a month. But customers who make their payments on … Read more