Waterloo-based “Kik” has released their free texting app for BlackBerry and iPhone devices. It basically works like Skype does for calling but this is only for texting. Kik is only available in North America and supports iPhones 3G and 3GS and the BlackBerry Bold, 8300, 8500, 8800 and 8900 series. There are also plans to launch an Android app in the future.
Kik sent out a press release today and Here is what sets Kik Chat apart from the pack:
– INSTANT: Just start texting any mobile phone number in a phone’s address book and Kik automatically gets it through. There is no need to request or follow friends, or to figure out who is and isn’t on Kik.
– UNLIMITED FREE KIK-TO-KIK: Kik users get unlimited, free texting to all Kik users.
– TWO WAY KIK-TO-NON-KIK: Stay connected to non-Kik users with 50 free outgoing SMS messages a month (unlimited free incoming). Additional outgoing messages are less than a cent, or users can save the $0.009 by getting their friends to download Kik.
– REAL NUMBERS = REAL RELIABILITY: Thanks to special arrangements with US and Canadian carriers, Kik-to-Non-Kik messages are sent through real mobile phone numbers. That guarantees fast delivery of every Kik-to-Non-Kik text. Most other services still rely on email to SMS gateways, which means texts can take up to 8 hours to deliver.
– BLACKBERRY AND IPHONE PEACEMAKER: Kik took the time to develop an awesome app for both BlackBerry and iPhone. Now users can easily and reliably text all of their iPhone and BlackBerry friends for free.
– NO LONG DISTANCE SMS CHARGES: Friends who haven’t yet joined Kik can reply without paying long distance SMS charges. How so? Kik automatically assigns users a local texting phone number in each country it supports (currently US and Canada).
– FUNCTIONAL STATUS: Have time to read a message, but not respond? Don’t worry, that secret is safe with Kik. BlackBerry Messenger users know why users will love this feature.
Download it here at kik
