PingChat! 2 was released for free a few weeks ago and I’ve been meaning to cover it on the site for quite a while now, but it’s been incredibly difficult to get any of my friends to start using it. None of the JAiB team showed any particular interest in the app, either. So as […]
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I tried to review PingChat! 2 for iPhone, but I failed

Jun 15th 2010 by

Note: my messages are on the right. It's my friend who doesn't appreciate Ping's UI.

PingChat! 2 was released for free a few weeks ago and I’ve been meaning to cover it on the site for quite a while now, but it’s been incredibly difficult to get any of my friends to start using it. None of the JAiB team showed any particular interest in the app, either.

So as cool as the newer and bolder UI looks, I just haven’t really had more than five minutes of actual chat time. I  think this highlights one of the problems with device-specific messengers: unless you know people as geeky as you are (or you’ve found someone who loves you very, very much), few people are going to jump onto a new messaging platform limited to just one device — not when services like Google Talk, AIM, and MSN are available and free to use through other messengers like Meebo. That’s why it’s a really big deal that Ping! will be available on Android and Blackberry devices “soon” (according to Ping’s website), and I just might have an actual review to offer when that time comes.

So what’s my ultra quick verdict of Ping as a bona fide expert on the subject? It works. Friend invites can be sent through Twitter, Facebook, or e-mail. Chat messages are sent quickly, and you’ll even see confirmation of receipt, just like you do in WhatsApp. It’s also surprising to see a free messenger app without any ads, but I’ll take it if they’re willing to pay everything. The only complaint I have about Ping has to do with this strange address book bug: I’ve been trying for weeks to fill it, but it’s still empty. 😀

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