I've been wanting to switch over to a Blackberry since I heard about the official messaging clients being released. However, besides the problems with them, I haven't heard any more information on whether or not they work now.

Has T-mobile or Cingular released them yet?
Also, do the clients disconnect or not show IM's received while on a phone call? The IM's go through the internet, and not text messages, correct?

I'm switching from a sidekick and I really do live off of my AIM. I've tried a few Windows Mobile phones but the fact that the IM's go through slow text messages forced me to return to my sidekick.

I also have Cingular AND Tmobile, which would you reccommend I buy an 8800 for?

Thanks!

Does not work as of yet but there are plenty of alternatives

Wirelessly posted (8703e Sprint: BlackBerry8703e/4.1.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/104)

Check out Ramble, an application that replicated AIM excellently IMHO.

http://wireless.sra.com/ramble/download.html

A fellow forum user posted up this link and the AIM is great on it and working VERY well.

http://www.beejive.com/download/index.php

I use the Beejive product and can attest to how well it works. A much better interface than ramble, in my opinion. I don't think that it uses as much battery power.

I have been using Jive Talk (free in beta) for a week now, and I really like it. Allows me to log into AOL, MSN and Yahoo in one place. No Google Talk support, but that client works well on my Blackberry.

I think JiveTalk is one of the best IM application ever I have for all instant messages in a single window.

Stay clear of ramble. I found it to be very unstable and had to reconnect every few minutes. I would definitelty go for JIVETALK while it is still free in beta. I hope that when it is released they either make it free for beta users or make it a one time fee. I don't want to pay a monthly/yearly fee to use it.

Wirelessly posted (8703e Sprint: BlackBerry8703e/4.1.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/104)

I have had no problems with Ramble, but I just downloaded BeeJive from the above link, and I would have to say it is a much better interface as well as the fact that it supports most IM platforms simultaneously.

Is there a keyboard shortcut for BeeJive on a QWERTY BB?

I just assigned it to one of my convenience buttons

Those are already taken on my device with TeleNav and Impatica (a BB user has to have priorities right )

Hey everyone, thank you for all the responses. Much appreciated.

Do these clients get disconnected or drop IMs during a call? And all the IMs go through the internet and not texting, correct?

And one last question, what is the average speed of a connection if I use my bb as a modem for my laptop? (I believe it's called "tethering"?) is it comparable to at least 56k?

Thanks again! If the free clients work as well as you say they do, I will be switching to an 8800 soon, or waiting for the Curve.

Wirelessly posted (8703e Sprint: BlackBerry8703e/4.1.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/104)

What carrier do you have?

I have both Cingular and Tmobile. I'm currently using a Sidekick for Tmobile, and a Nokia 8800 for Cingular.

Google talk works fine for me on jivetalk. Use it everyday

I'm probably going to wait for the Curve to come out.

EDIT: Actually, I lied. I can't upgrade or add a new line to my Cingular account until December, and I can't afford the full price of a Curve (upwards of 500$ or more, most likely).
I'm probably going to pick up a Pearl for cheaper, if I can find one.

I wouldnt be surprised if AIM is released with the 8300 release...what better way to promote it with the younger people looking at something besides a sidekick.

That makes a lot of sense. I just picked up a pearl tonight, thanks to Craigslist! (:

After just a few minutes of use with Ramble, I ran into some problems. I was still able to send messages out but I never received messages sent to me.

I've been using JiveTalk since, and it's the client I'll be sticking with. It's no sidekick AIM, but it definitely does it's job!

Thanks guys.

Tim.

Definitely JiveTalk, and it definitely works with Google Talk. I have Yahoo, Google, and AIM all loaded up and running at the same time on JiveTalk. Best IM program I've used. (Crossing fingers that it stays free after Beta)