WhatsApp Alternative for BB10

**pcondello** · 12-17-2012, 07:26 AM

Given the bad news about WhatsApp not supporting BB10, I'm starting to look at alternatives to start convincing my iOS/Android friends to switch over to ahead of BB10 launch. From this point, I'm going to start cutting down my use of WhatsApp.

At the moment, it seems to me like Hookt would be the best bet. Any other suggestions??

**SlcCorrado** · 12-17-2012, 07:37 AM

Sideload whatsapp if you really want it

**pcondello** · 12-17-2012, 07:48 AM

That's the thing, the way I see it, if WhatsApp doesn't want Blackberry, then I don't want WhatsApp.

Rather than working around a developer that refuses to the support the platform I choose to use, I would rather steer my WhatsApp friends toward a BB10-friendly cross-messenger. The question then is which way to steer them?

It shouldn't be hard to convince people I talk to on iOS/Android over WhatsApp now to message me on another service, since whatever becomes the defacto BB10 cross-messenger will certainly already be established on those devices...

**SlcCorrado** · 12-17-2012, 08:00 AM

I get that. Its possible whatsapp will be there though. I don't think too many people really know for sure. Wish I had more info for you

**chrissmartin** · 12-17-2012, 08:01 AM

I think that's good idea until what's app support us we should look for alternative. I think Line is a good supported app for BlackBerry platform....

**tfp** · 12-17-2012, 08:30 AM

For the 2 people I talk to on WhatsApp, I'm not going to inconvenience them and have them switch to another IM. I've got no issues sideloading WhatsApp onto my BB10 and using that until they pull their head out of their rear ends lol

**snaqvi91** · 12-17-2012, 08:36 AM

How does one even sideload it? Is the performance up to snuff?

**SlcCorrado** · 12-17-2012, 08:41 AM

Find whatsapp.bar and use an application such as ddpb or bbh-tools on your desktop to install it. As far as how well it runs... No idea. I hear good things though

**kozmo68** · 12-17-2012, 08:54 AM

I have to words for WhatsApp...... WHO CARES! I certainly don't. Used it for a while and found it to be a battery hog. for my iOS and Android users I'll communicate via email or through facebook messaging, if that doesn't work for then call me... I have a feeling that BBM on BB10 is really going to have deep integration with facebook messaging. If that's the case then no need WhatsApp or anything else..

**snaqvi91** · 12-17-2012, 08:56 AM

^Thanks. How long does it take? Can I do it on a Mac?

**SlcCorrado** · 12-17-2012, 09:02 AM

Yup.

How to load Android apps on your BlackBerry PlayBook from your Mac | CrackBerry.com

**tjodalv** · 12-17-2012, 09:04 AM

You have to ask yourself, is it really worth messaging people who don't have BBM?

**snaqvi91** · 12-17-2012, 09:54 AM

But isn't that for Playbook OS 2.0? Will the same thing work for BB10?

**BB_Bmore** · 12-17-2012, 10:46 AM

yup Android runtime is on BlackBerry10 just like it is on PlayBook.

**eyhab27** · 12-17-2012, 04:08 PM

just use groupme of you have massive text-serves with your friends. they can either use the app or regular text message to receive messages. its much better then whatsapp.

**BB12MX** · 12-19-2012, 10:23 AM

I already installed some apps similar to whatsapp to test them ... LINE, ChatON and Viber, I think ChatON is the option, but then I have about 5 people I do chat on whatsapp but also chat on another app, so I already have a the solution, family on BBM and friends on gtalk, so no need of whatsapp at all ... but I hope devs reconcider this, I do not get why they do not want to support BB10 ...

**OmarVlogable** · 12-19-2012, 10:56 AM

I have a lot of friends on Whatsapp i can't ask them all to switch to another IM.. I am going to use BB10 & my 9900 so I'm going to use Whatsapp anyways from my 9900

**Hawkeberry** · 12-19-2012, 11:00 AM

alternative - Viber if it comes to BB10.

**pantlesspenguin** · 12-19-2012, 11:23 AM

Why not use LiveProfile?? It's multi-platform and it's been bought by RIM so I'm sure by the time BB10 is released they'll have more time to do more development of LiveProfile. As it stands now, it's pretty reliable and you'd get to keep using RIM products.

**sexybabe88** · 12-21-2012, 02:51 AM

i'll see how this pans out. i was 50-50 between the L series and a lumia 920 but the lack of whatsapp is putting the lumia way ahead as im a heavy whatsapp user and am in multiple groups with my ios and android friends.

Sideloading is definitely out for me. having seen the performance of android apps on my pb i definitely do not want similiar subpar performance with close to 0 updates on my phone. At this point im not even sure how many of the apps i require will be of android nature. i really like the hub but all the deficiencies are too much to bear.

Sent from my BlackBerry 9900 using Tapatalk

**djenkins6** · 12-21-2012, 03:39 AM

On my 9810 I started off with whatsapp and it was a hog, so I switched to using IMO instant messenger, it handles everything except iphone, and turns out several iphone friends were already using Hookt, so I have that loaded too, it also works on android.

Both of these are in app world
Hookt https://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/59560/
and Hookt | messaging made simple allows browser access

Imo supports AIM, Facebook Chat, Google Talk, Hyves, ICQ, Jabber, MSN, MySpace, Skype, Steam Chat, VKontakte and Yahoo Messenger https://appworld.blackberry.com/webs...55495/?lang=en and also has web access at https://imo.im/

**snaqvi91** · 12-21-2012, 06:44 PM

Originally Posted by sexybabe88

i'll see how this pans out. i was 50-50 between the L series and a lumia 920 but the lack of whatsapp is putting the lumia way ahead as im a heavy whatsapp user and am in multiple groups with my ios and android friends.

Sideloading is definitely out for me. having seen the performance of android apps on my pb i definitely do not want similiar subpar performance with close to 0 updates on my phone. At this point im not even sure how many of the apps i require will be of android nature. i really like the hub but all the deficiencies are too much to bear.

Sent from my BlackBerry 9900 using Tapatalk

The Nokia has some awesome hardware innovation like 60hz screen and pureview camera. I'm also thinking of getting a Lumia 920 but I'm quite broken between that and BB10. I think I'll wait and see if any colours of the 920 come out and also bb10.

**TrioGM** · 12-21-2012, 08:15 PM

Another alternative would be Kik... if they decide to bring it on BB10...
No one knows yet...

**JPMorgan_** · 12-22-2012, 08:37 PM

ebuddyXMS is my fave, unfortunately I only have 5 contacts there,
it is great, and you can send xms from your computer via ebuddy webxms, a great feature for when you are using your laptop computer and don't wan't to use your smartphone's battery, you should give it a try (if it was to be supported on BB10)
eBuddy XMS - Do more than SMS