Feel the need for another new cross-platform messaging service in your life? Samsung's apparently got the cure for what ails ya with ChatOn, a service that allows users on iOS, Android, BlackBerry, and Bada to communicate without the need for traditional text message plans from your carrier. There's also said to be PC and feature phone versions of ChatOn in the works. Users will be able to send text, images, video, voice, and more through ChatOn and can also write on the profiles of their friends and check out their "Interaction Rank." Samsung is expected go into more detail about ChatOn at IFA and launch the service in 120 countries next month. Until then, a video of the service in action is available below for your viewing pleasure.
Samsung definitely isn't the first phone manufacturer to come out with its own messaging service, but we're glad to see that ChatOn works across multiple platforms rather than being compatible with just Android or just Bada. Plus, we're all for anything that could potentially help lower our monthly cell phone bills because, as I'm sure many of you know, being popular isn't cheap. Any of you think ChatOn is something you could use on a day-to-day basis or would you rather stick with old-fashioned text messages?
Samsung introduces ChatON mobile communication service
- Samsung ChatON is the fun and free global communication service that enables content and conversation to be shared between all major mobile devices
Korea, August 29, 2011 – Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., a leading mobile phone provider, today announced the launch of ChatON, a free mobile communication service that allows users to communicate instantly with any mobile phone.
ChatON is Samsung’s global mobile communication service that works across all major smartphone and feature phone platforms. ChatON lets users interact with friends and family, regardless of device platform – functionality across multiple platforms lets all users join in, with text, images, hand-written notes and video shared instantly. Users can chat in groups, while a Web client will allow the easy sharing of content and conversations between mobile and PC.
"With ChatON, Samsung has vastly simplified mobile communication by allowing users to connect to our upcoming feature phones and all major Smartphones in the market,"said Ho Soo Lee, Head of Media Solution Center at Samsung Electronics. “Users around the world can now enjoy easier and richer interactivity with whoever they want, in the format they want—this is mobile communication reinvented and democratized.”
ChatON, which is available in more than 120 countries supporting up to 62 languages, features two functionality options. A basic functionality option is available for feature phone users who prefer simple and easy usage, allowing users to share text, pictures, calendar, contacts and emotions through an easy-to-access client.
Smartphone users can enjoy advanced feature options, enabling richer communication by allowing users to see how often they communicate with their buddies using the Interaction Rank feature and post comments on buddies’ profile pages. Users can also create an ‘Animation message’ which allows them to create their own content by scribbling texts, adding audio and choosing their background pictures. All photos and videos in each conversation window can be viewed in an automatically-generated content sharing ‘Trunk’.
ChatON allows users to join and grow their social communities, socializing instantly and flexibly through their mobile device. Users can enjoy the benefits of ChatON globally, with free and easy communication possible with friends and family anywhere in the world.
Samsung ChatON will be made available gradually across all major Smartphones, Tablets, notebook PCs and Samsung feature phones, including forthcoming devices showcased at IFA 2011.
About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2010 consolidated sales of US$135.8 billion. Employing approximately 190,500 people in 206 offices across 68 countries, the company consists of nine independently operated business units: Visual Display, Mobile Communications, Telecommunication Systems, Digital Appliances, IT Solutions, Digital Imaging, Memory, System LSI and LCD. Recognized as one of the fastest growing global brands, Samsung Electronics is a leading producer of digital TVs, semiconductor chips, mobile phones and TFT-LCDs. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com.
