Instango multi-client chat

[kstrouse]

Instango is a free multi-client chat program, supporting GoogleTalk, ICQ, AIM, MSN, Yahoo, GaduGadu, QQ and Jabber, as well as providing chat capabilities with other Instango users.

I've used several other chat programs, and this one works the best for me. The interface is crisp and easy to navigate. It's stable. The application is incredibly flexible with user-selected settings, including the expected choices such as display formats and preferred connections, to other less-common options such as battery preservation in keepalive settings.

You can share photos, music, and files, send SMS messages for a small charge, include RSS feeds, and leave voice messages for other Instango users. I've only used the application for chat, but I'm sure that the other features will be a plus for other users.

There is a lot of description on the Instango web site, including screenshots, and the support forums enable you to get answers from the developer and monitor issues raised by other users.

I've used this application successfully on my 8700 under OS 4.2 and I'm happily using it on my Bold under OS 4.6.

Pros:
It's free!
There's a good support infrastructure and a responsive developer.
It's very stable.
It includes lots of IM clients that aren't covered by other mainstream applications.
Notifications are stored in the BlackBerry profiles, and can be set differently for contacts coming online, new messages, and new messages when the application is in the foreground.

Cons:
There isn't an invisible status (yet).
It's not as mature as other applications, so some of the features are being driven by customer requests. (This has actually been an advantage for me, but every user is different.)

I'd recommend Instango wholeheartedly.

[nmeredith13]

kstrouse,

Thanks for this review! I had been contemplating Instango for a few days. I think I might give it a try after reading your thoughts.

[tech42er]

Can you see the statuses/"away messages" of other users? This is the one complaint I have about the official AIM program.

[sexysweetk22]

I personally did not like this program it was freezing up my curve, I couldnt see the full away messages it just did not work for me... paid my 10 dollars to get my beejive back.

[papped]

Originally Posted by tech42er

Can you see the statuses/"away messages" of other users? This is the one complaint I have about the official AIM program.

There's an option you can toggle that displays the status messages in the buddy list.

[daleal]

I have a Storm with Verizon Wireless.

Does anyone know if a MSN/Yahoo/AIM message sent from instango is counted as a SMS Text message?

I am just afraid of sending a bunch of messages and be charged for all of them.

Thanks!

[ghostshell]

i cant get instango to connect, just keeps showing connecting.

[LilUnique]

I heard that there were some connection issues with Instango after you get off phone calls...which was the reason I kept my BeeJive. I know that people don't like paying for stuff, but BeeJive is worth it.

[seahorseinstripes]

arghhh i can't live without my invisible status! i NEED it LOL
right now i'm using the 30 days free trial from beejive and see how it goes from there

[laur318]

does this run independently....or does this run off Wifi or do I need the blackberry data plan for it to work. i guess i'm dumb. i bought the messaging bundle but AIM didn't work - t-mobile told me that AIM runs off the data plan only. would downloading Instango be a fix? i don't mind using up my message units...that's what i bought the bundle for!

[gipfeli]

Originally Posted by laur318

does this run independently....or does this run off Wifi or do I need the blackberry data plan for it to work. i guess i'm dumb. i bought the messaging bundle but AIM didn't work - t-mobile told me that AIM runs off the data plan only. would downloading Instango be a fix? i don't mind using up my message units...that's what i bought the bundle for!

yes you will be able to run instango via wifi only... no data plan is needed... also make sure with your phone company that data transmission is blocked so you wouldn't be responsible in the case of cases... but as i know, once you run instango over wifi, it'll be wifi only as long as you set the transfer mode to "wifi"...

[pkcable]

Originally Posted by daleal

I have a Storm with Verizon Wireless.

Does anyone know if a MSN/Yahoo/AIM message sent from instango is counted as a SMS Text message?

I am just afraid of sending a bunch of messages and be charged for all of them.

Thanks!

It's data so it would not count against your SMS plan (or lack of plan)

[DOPEBOY718]

Originally Posted by ghostshell

i cant get instango to connect, just keeps showing connecting.

SAME HERE !!!! SUPERRR ANNOYING

[myt.mommie]

I am trying to download instago again. I had the same problem with it not connecting.
Anyone know where else I might be able to find a program to run qqim on my blackberry?