BlackBerry smartphone users can now chat using voice and picture messages as well as traditional text. Further, they can do so with other users of many of the popular PC-based IM services - such as AOL's AIM, Windows Live Messenger and Google Talk - through the Palringo interface.
"As users increasingly expect to take their applications with them wherever they go, they also expect to pack them into fewer devices," said Kerry Ritz, CEO. "By putting our rich messaging service on the BlackBerry platform, we at Palringo increase messaging reach and depth for the greatest number of users. We also reduce the number of installed applications they need to have on their mobile device or PC."
Palringo combines a user's contacts from all services into a single, presence-aware list, eliminating the need to continually switch between multiple IM tools. In addition, Palringo combines walkie-talkie style vocal instant messaging, the real-time text functionality of IM and the ability to share pictures, all within the context of one 'threaded' discussion. Palringo also lets the user set up an unlimited number of groups and send a voice, text, or picture message to all group members at once such as fellow employees, project team members, alumni, sports team players. Neither does it limit recipients to simply those on the same wireless network. While a mobile data plan or Wi-Fi access is required to use Palringo, the service's instant messages take up very small amounts of data, minimizing costs.
Palringo’s service is available worldwide and the BlackBerry version is available now for free download at www.palringo.com. The service is also compatible with Windows Mobile, Symbian and Java-based clients, including devices from Nokia, Motorola, LG, Samsung, HTC, HP and Sony Ericsson.
I tried it out. Has potential, but it was buggy on my 8830. It worked for a bit, then disconnected, got caught in a reconnect loop, and I had to restart the app for it to work again. 
