Instant Messaging software firm Athena IT LTD has unveiled their latest software masterpiece, Chit Chat for Blackberry. The Facebook Blackberry app, Chit Chat, gives users of the app a stunningly simple program that my own mother could use it, while allowing users to set it up to suit their own needs and style.
Ever since it entered the spotlight in 2007, social networking has become a household term as well as a part of our everyday lives. We read ‘Tweets’ on Twitter to find out the latest on the Middle Eastern unrest, in less than 150 characters; and read about the excellent news of a friend who has finally a girl he really likes through a series of Facebook status updates. Social networking has become such a popular phenomenon that it did end with PCs and notebooks. It managed to make the jump from computers to our pockets, giving us much more immediacy should we feel the need to update our status update ‘on the go,’ or chat with friends using the constantly –evolving and improving Facebook Chat feature. Now, users can send instant messages from their smart phone to other smart phones or even computers simply and easily with the right app for their needs.
With the coming together of PC and mobile for the cause of the pandemic spread of social networking, I will road test Athena IT’s brand new Facebook Blackberry Chat application – Chit Chat for Facebook Blackberry.
Users of Blackberry will already know that there are practically hundreds of Facebook Chat apps available that can be downloaded through Appworld. Any user who has trialled a number of these free applications will soon discover that they are fully loaded with bugs. These can lead to a system crash and ultimately the frustrating wait as the device restarts.
While trialling some of the other programs that connected Blackberry users with Facebook Chat, I came up with a checklist for four pre-requisites of what that any good Facebook Chat app should follow:
- Short load time
- Low on system resources, bandwidth and does not drain the battery.
- Infrequently leads to system restarts.
- Large selection of customisable settings for users.
After using many of the freebies and randomly selection a couple of the paid versions, Chit Chat, which can be download at Mobihand for US$1.99, is a highly-customisable, yet simple to use and ticks all the boxes of characteristics that such a program requires.
Installation
Downloading the Facebook Blackberry IM app is simple, and the 1.1 megabyte file takes seconds with any 3G or 2G. Installation is quick, and users can jump straight into using the app without the need for a timely restart.
The initial start-up of Chit Chat for Facebook Blackberry requires users to input their Facebook username, NOT email address, password, and the app will take a moment to load as it connects with the Facebook Chat servers. One of the factors that have a varying effect the loading time is not so much the application, but the number of Facebook Friends, which a user may have on their list. The more friends, the longer the loading time will be.
Usability
Once fully loaded, users are presented with the typical instant messaging app set up, consisting of a contact list, and the ability to send messages to other users who could be using Facebook and out of reach of a fixed internet connection.
A significant advantage that the Chit Chat has over many of the other applications is its lightning fast reaction speed at getting the message to the other person. Sometimes with the freebie applications, a lengthy amount lag was present even on a 3G connection.
Users of Chit Chat will find themselves using simple, easy to use interface that is aimed at providing creating an experience for the user that centres on simplicity and flexibility. An unusual combination, but the talented programmers at Athena IT have created the ideal simple-to-use mobile chat
To quickly scroll up and down the contact list, users can simply press SPACEBAR + CURSOR. Pressing ALT + using the cursor will jump promptly take users to the top or bottom of the list. The entire keyboard can be customised at the user’s discretion, with any button on the keyboard able to become a hotkey.
Interface
What really makes Chit Chat for Facebook Blackberry stand out from the crowd is the number of user-defined settings, such as fonts, colours and the overall manner in which items are displayed. Items are broken down into columns, allowing for quick understanding of what is happening. This is essential when presented with such a large number of friends online.
Conclusion
While there are many similar products on the market, Athena IT have put together a lightweight and easy-to-use application that practically anyone can use, and avoids draining the precious resources that Blackberry users vitally need to keep their device running as efficiently as possible.
I would rate this handy app a 4.5/5, and one of the best ways to stay in touch with friends and family who use other handsets.
Chit Chat for Facebook is available through Mobihand for a limited time launch price of $1.99.
System requirements: Blackberry OS – 4.2 to 6.00
Supported Blackberry models: 9780, 9700, 9650, 9520, 9550, 9530, 9500, 9000, 8530, 8520, 8900, 8800, 8820, 8330, 8320, 8330, 8320, 8220, 8100, 8110, 8120, 8130
Author: Jared Sheldon
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