Shape Services just updated their IM+ Instant Messaging Software for BlackBerry devices. New features include a subscription based transcription of spoken messages (awesome), group chat in Skype and the ability to show (or not) your contact’s avatar. We’ve previously reviewed the iPhone version’s transcription feature as well as a version for Windows Mobile. Just like their iPhone version, the transcription service is a monthly fee ($1.99 on BlackBerry vs .99 on iPhone). The transcription works very quickly (less than 3 seconds in most cases) and is incredibly useful for anyone needing to keep two hands on the wheel. For BlackBerry users concerned about battery life (and aren’t we all) you can set IM+ for BlackBerry to run in a push mode which makes you appear online and sends an email notification if anyone attempts to message you.

IM+ for BlackBerry – $39 + voice transcription $1.99/mo (optional)

Instant Messaging (IM) has gained popularity over the years, and it has become part of our lives now in the communication world. With mobile devices gaining popularity, everyone would love to stay connected with their IMs. Some of the popular IMs out there include MSN®/Windows Live Messenger, Yahoo!®, and Google Talk. Those are all separate applications, requiring space on users’ devices and requiring them to juggle between each application when they want to IM their friends on the different services. What a pain!

SHAPE services has come to the rescue, with IM+! IM+ is a messaging client that lets you access AIM®/iChat, MSN®/Windows Live Messenger, Yahoo!®, ICQ®, Jabber®, Google Talk, MySpace®, Facebook IM and Twitter services.

Features:-

• All public IM systems in one client. No cost per message!
• Stay online in IM Push mode and save battery live!
• Friendly User Interface in English, German, Italian, French, Thai, Vietnamese, Russian and Spanish.
• Today Screen Plugin: see the information of all connected services, number
  of online/offline users and amount of unread messages.
• One-Time Purchase License: all further updates included.

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Gear Diary has  reviewed a few different options for viewing your web cameras remotely.  If you want to view your web or IP security cameras via your mobile phone, then Shape Services’ Mobiscope may be just the application you are looking to use.  Unlike some options that require a monthly subscription fee, like Total Control, Mobiscope is a one-time fee.   Mobiscope for BlackBerry  has recently been updated to support  real-time audio for your webcam streams.

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Alright BlackBerry users, we know you probably felt a little left out when Shape Services recently updated their GPSed application for the iPhone to include the ability to attach photos tagged at your precise GPS location.   Now, you are no longer left out in the cold as version 2.0 of GPSed for BlackBerry brings the same great features found on the iPhone application.

You can keep track of your journeys — whether it be a quick hike or a trip around the world — with GPSed.  The  application will let you save the track of your journey via GPS and attach photos that are geotagged to show exactly where you are.  You can then upload the photos to your favorite social networks (Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, and Blogger) to share your experience real-time, as well as keep a record of your travels traced on GoogleMaps and stored on an optional online archive (http://gpsed.com).  Your photos will be pinned right on the GoogleMap.

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Larry and I have both had the opportunity to try out an early release of ShapeServices’ upcoming update to iPhone messaging app IM+.

The biggest feature in the next version? The ability to have voice messages transcribed for you within the app itself, for just $.99 a month.

It is a neat trick and a taste of things to come. Let’s take a look…

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If you have the travel bug and enjoy sharing your adventures with your friends and family on Facebook, Twitter, etc., then GPSed is definitely for you.   If you are a hiker, runner, or biker and just want to track your journeys in real-time, then GPSed is for you.

In fact, just about anyone needing to show their location via GPS, archive their trips, or keep a log of their where they’ve been on GoogleMaps  will likely find something useful with the many features in Shape Services‘ GPSed.

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Shape Services provides a variety of cross-platform mobile applications, primarily for the iPhone/iPod Touch and BlackBerry (although you’ll also find offerings, like IM+ messenger that have compatible versions for Android, Symbian, Windows Mobile and Palm).

One of their most popular applications, the voice recorder VR+, has just been updated for the  iPhone 3GS/3.0 OS.   I  have previously used and reviewed VR+, and liked the application — a lot.   I was not disappointed with the latest update…

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Shape Services has just updated its very popular IM client for the iPhone, IM+ to version 3.3

The update, which is currently available for download via the iTunes App Store, includes:

IM+ sells for $4.99 in the iTunes App Store.

Shape Services, the well known developer behind the popular IM+ universal instant messenger has taken their first stab at the Palm Pre’s webOS platform with their IM+Skype app.  The app brings all of the typical features of Skype to your Palm Pre, including:

• – cost effective voice calls to other phones
• – free calls to other Skype users in the United States
• – instant text messaging with other Skype users
• – easy and intuitive interface.

I am thrilled to see the beginning of new apps dribbling into my Palm Pre.  Hopefully this is only the beginning of a long deluge which could eventually populate the App Catalog.

For more information, head over to Shape Services or type s4palm.com from your Palm Pre’s mobile browser.  IM+Skype costs $9.99, or you can pay a monthly fee of $1.99 to use it.  There is also a 10 day trial.

A new speech recognition feature is being tested in the BlackBerry version of Shape Service’s IM+ All-in-One Instant Messenger. This handy IM client also supports push services so that you can save your BlackBerry battery by closing out of the program while still remaining available for chat. A free 7 day trial is available which also supports AIM/iChat, MSN/Windows LIve Messenger, Yahoo!, ICQ, Jabber, Google Talk, MySpaceIM, Facebook, Skype and Twitter.

IM+ Version 8.1.0 with Speech Recognition is $39.99, and you can get it for 15% off at the Gear Diary Store, with the code GDFallTweets.

Mobiola Snapshot is an application from Shape Services that gives BlackBerry users the ability to quickly take screen captures of applications running on their device.   How well does it work?  Is it worth trying out or even buying?   Read on for the full review.

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ShapeServices has been very busy lately, releasing a wide variety of new and updated mobile applications.   You may have read Adrian’s recent review of ShapeServices’ Mobiola xPlayer, or Wayne’s coverage of their popular all-in-one instant messenger, IM+.

This week I’ve been using their VR+ voice recording application, which is available for BlackBerry and iPhone/iPod Touch.  VR+ lets you create voice recordings — or even entire podcasts — on the go, and share the recordings via e-mail, Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, and Blogger.com.

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Shape Services is announcing the latest upgrade to their IM+ mobile instant messaging client for BlackBerry. IM+ provides for multi-chat integration including GTalk, AIM, iChat, MSN, Windows Live Messenger, Yahoo!, ICQ, Jabber, MySpace IM and Facebook. Instead of loading different chat clients to your BlackBerry you use IM+ to coververse with friends via one program. The IM+ software is also unique for its “push chat” capabilities which allow you to completely log off – saving battery life – yet still receive notification of incoming chat requests.

This functionality is added via integration to Yap which is a voice to text platform enabling IM+ users to dictate their instant messages and send them as text to chat contacts.The beta version is slated to debut this week at Wireless Enterprise Symposium (WES) in Orlando, FL and the full release should be out by May 2009.

IM+

If you’re like me and think that all Instant Messaging is for teens and time wasters – then it’s time to take another look. I’ve recently been converted to instant messaging believer by IM+ which makes an astounding Mobile Messenger that I use on my BlackBerry (an iPhone version is available as well) to connect to Google Talk, MS Live and Facebook (ICQ, Jabber, MySpace, AIM and Yahoo are also supported).

What sold me on IM+ is that the service offers push notifications. That means I don’t even have to be logged into instant messaging to allow people to send me a message. When I’m offline the messages are forwarded to my email and the sender receives a notice that it may take me a few minutes to get back to them (this message is user definable). Keeping yourself offline is also a HUGE battery saver! The best thing about IM+? It all works as described (see my quick look here). Even better? It’s on sale for $19 (normally $49). Shape also has a number of other BlackBerry apps (IM+ for Skype, VR+ Voice Recorder, MobiScope, GPSed, Mobiola) also priced at $19.99.

Shape Services