Palringo is a new IM client for BlackBerry. The free application has gotten a significant makeover and now includes many more features including Facebook support, iChat, Windows Live Messenger, Gtalk, location, voice clip, photo/video sharing, all threw your BlackBerry. I have not tested the software to see if messages are pushed, or if it drains the device battery.

Palringo seems to now pose a significant threat to BeeJive, who offers a paid multi-chat IM for the BlackBerry. BeeJive currently does not support Facebook chat, but the support will soon be added.

BeeJive firstly capitalized on the opportunity a few years ago when Windows Live Messenger, among other IM clients were not available while some were blocked by carriers.

These services are now not needed as much given the official IM clients are already available that offer push messages without adversely affecting battery life.

The trick now for the third party developers is to quickly add support for newer services including Facebook chat, location sharing, among other more social features.

Palringo for BlackBerry Goes Gold - Core Facts
* Palringo for BlackBerry now includes the option to share your location with other Palringo users. Location and proximity [distance] of contacts are shown, both on the buddy list screen and on map displays for even greater precision.
* User feedback on the initial beta version of Palringo for BlackBerry has been instrumental in refining the gold version. In particular, the connection issues identified in the beta version have been resolved.
* Palringo is available now for the BlackBerry Pearl, BlackBerry Curve and BlackBerry 8800 series. The application is free and downloadable from www.palringo.mobi.
* Palringo users can exchange voice, picture and text-based messages with contacts on many popular messaging services including Microsoft’s Windows Live/MSN Messenger, Facebook, AOL Instant Messenger, Google Talk, Yahoo! Messenger, Apple’s iChat, Gadu-Gadu, ICQ, Jabber and QQ. This means that Blackberry users can chat, and share photo and voice messages, with all of their friends on many different IM and social networking services using just one application.
* Palringo enables users to form and administer groups. Many businesses use Palringo Groups as an additional tool to enable communication with staff, whether they’re out in the field or in the office.
* There are presently thousands of active groups, ranging from entire businesses to special interest groups to sports clubs. There is no need to be online to receive messages; the conversation history can be read whenever a user logs in.
* Palringo is designed for use on mobile phones, but versions are also available for Windows-based PCs and for Mac OS.
* At the recent Mobile World Congress in Barcelona [February 2009], Palringo was shortlisted for a 2009 GSMA Global Mobile Award - the most prestigious annual awards in the world of mobile. The shortlist of five, in the Best Mobile Internet Service category, also featured Nokia and Bharti Airtel.