Kik Messenger

[youtube -p1UnlllhPI]

Overview:

Kik is a stylish cross platform messenger application for the Android, Blackberry, and iOS operating systems. The best part, its FREE! Kik can be used to replace sending text messages to your other smart phone friends. Instead of using your cell provider’s text messages, it uses your data or wifi connection. But keep in mind; you can only message other Kik users. So, this wont necessarily replace your phones texting plan.

*Note: I only tested this application on the Android operating system using a Droid X

Visual:

From a visual point of view, this application is beautiful. It uses a mixture of bland/ dull colors, shadows, and engraving effects to make a retro feel with a modern touch. Kik displays your conversation in a treaded format, your chat bubble has changeable colors where the receivers chat bubble is stuck on a grey color. Next to your messages, there will be a R, S, or D. Each letter resembles a different state that the message is in (R: Read, S: Sent, D: Delivered).

The home screen of the application shows the recent people you have been chatting with. You can long press to open or delete the chat. When someone sends you a message, you will receive a notification in your notification bar with the Kik icon. Also, the person’s name will be highlighted in blue in the apps home screen.

Performance:

This application is SMOOTH! I have not noticed lag or any force closes when using Kik. You send a message and then you get these three fluid dots the pop up indicating the message is sending.

The Bad:

No application is complete without needing some minor or major improvements. With Kik, the improvements are minimal to none and almost personal preference. The Two issues that bothered me were…

1. In the notification bar, you have no idea who your new message is from or what’s going on in the message. In example, you get a new message and in your notification bar, it says just that.. You Have a New Message. When you click on it, it doesn’t open up to that chat, it opens up to the home screen then you have to select the chat that’s highlighted in blue. Honestly, I have already become use to these two flaws. It would just be nice to see these two issues updated in a new version.

The Good:

Since I pointed out there a few flaws in this application, there are almost too many good feature to tell! I choose a few of my favorites…

1. The overall look of this application is a total plus! Like I said before, the colors and visual effects make this an outstanding looking application.
2. BBM Style messaging with exclusive messaging
3. Speed and Fluidness

Conclusion:

This application gets a 10/10 from me! I call this BBM for Android. Go now and download it from the Android Market, App Store, or BlackBerry App World!

Also, add me:  Mypespo

Download:

Android- http://goo.gl/ISOa9

iPhone- http://goo.gl/0lVQb

Blackberry-  http://goo.gl/Whprf

How do you like this app? Leave your response in the comments below!