Apple Reveals App Store Search Results to Include More Ads in 2026
In 2026, Apple is refreshing how ads appear on the App Store with new top banner ads and more running on search results.
Ping! Is like Blackberry Messenger for the iPhone
Do you have friends on their Blackberries that treat and swear by Blackberry Messenger like it’s the next best thing since sliced bread (it’s because their Blackberries can’t render a web page properly, so instant messaging is the only thing keeping them happy, hehe)? Well today I’m going to review an amazing FREE app for the iPhone called Ping!
Ping! is a fantastic app that we have all been waiting for. It enables instant iPhone-to-iPhone messaging and works extremely well. The app is lightweight and will let you message any friend/family member who has an iPhone or iPod Touch!
Ping! Uses Push Notifications to Send You Messages
Ping uses Push Notifications to alert you of incoming messages instantly. You will receive a pop up message notification just like a text message! For people who have data, but aren’t on SMS packages, Ping! will save you TONNES of money! It’s like free SMS with all your friends who have iPhones/iPod Touches!
Setting Ping! up is very easy. You create an ID–make sure you choose wisely as you CANNOT change your name afterwards. Then, you add the ID of your friends and instantly you can message them! Also, you can link your Ping! friends to their contact info. This will show their picture and quickly allow you to access their info!
Features I’d Like to See in the Future
1. Ability to create a “Friends” list, or manage multiple Ping! accounts.
2. Have multiple Ping! friends in a chat.
3. Maybe a few more choices for sounds when someone messages you.
4. Ability to change your name at least ONCE more in case you messed up the first time.
5. Maybe ability to send location or a picture.
Ping!–Created in Canada and is Currently Free for Download!
Ping! was created by Gary Fung, an iPhone app developer in Toronto. He was the guy behind GmailPush and SmartDial to name a few other apps. Make sure you message him on Twitter to give him some feedback on how he can make Ping! even better!
Right now Ping! is FREE for a limited time (iTunes link) in the App Store. Just download it right away and it’ll work like a charm. Kudos to Gary for creating the equivalent of Blackberry Messenger on the iPhone! This is something a lot of us have been waiting for!
Thanks to Desmond Liao for the heads up on Ping!
Want to see more of our stories on Google?
P.S. Want to keep this site truly independent? Support us by buying us a beer, treating us to a coffee, or shopping through Amazon here. Links in this post are affiliate links, so we earn a tiny commission at no charge to you. Thanks for supporting independent Canadian media!
Other articles in the category: App Store
Instagram ‘Edits’ App Now Available, Taking on TikTok’s CapCut
Instagram's Edits app is available for free to download from the App Store and Google Play, offering video editing software.
Apple Now Lets You Migrate and Merge Apple Account Purchases
Apple is introducing the ability to migrate digital purchases, from apps to movies and TV shows, from one Apple Account to another.
This app is wack. I get an error message saying “cannot connect to the server.” wtf is going on? can anyone help?
as much as we all hate blackberries, a lot of my dumb friends still have one. is there still no app even through cydia that can somehow have iphones on the blackberry messenger network??
'Connecting.
Please Wait.'
Seems to be a major error that alot of people with Jailbroken & unlocked phones are getting. There seems to be a Push notification fix out there, but it doesn't guarantee that it will work. Can Gary confirm an update with a fix is being worked on?
thx
Try Whats App. It uses your phone number as your ID so it will automatically add all your friends(from your address book) that also have it installed. No swapping IDs needed. Also, when they update the blackberry version of the app to enable chat you will be able to chat to all of your blackberry contacts also not just ipod/iphone users.
Yay, free 😛
I tried it today, and can receive messages, but as soon as I try to reply, or send a message, it crashes and closes. I'm running a 3G, with 3.1, jailbroken and unlocked. While I know the devs technically don't have to have apps that work with JB devices, I hate it when they don't. Hope he fixes this, because TONS of people like to JB their iPhones.
Course, I heard that this is the same dev as for G-Push, which also did not work on my phone. Happily, G-Push is a thing of the past for most people since now Gmail actually works with Exchange server.
I'm assuming the Ping! server is getting hammered with today's buzz of the app…give them another day or so.
I think due to the nature of Blackberries, one must somehow require a BB to tap into their messenger network.
This app is awesome. I'm in France right now and have tested it with friends in Toronto, Vancouver and Paris
If you are having problems with it crashing, like i did, i just deleted it and re-installed it. on the web site they do have some answers to FAQ's for other issues
Disable your WIFI … Use Ping with 3G and you should be able to create an account.
Yo, B! Wiggedity wack, son
Can I be sure this app is free to use internationally? For instance I won't get hit with data roaming charges if I use this on a 3G network in the states this weekend?
You would definitely get hit with roaming charges in that scenario – unless you find a free wifi connection to avoid using the 3G network. It would be free to send internationally and receive replies, but not free if you are roaming.
Unless you have a plan to cover the roaming, you should disable data roaming on your phone. (Settings->General->Network->Data Roaming)
Same here, I downloaded the app yesterday and tried connecting it till now but all it says is ” Connecting.Please Wait.” I also tried with my brother's 3gs and it worked perfectly. Dont know what seems to be the problem.
I love ping!!
But how do you “link your ping friends to their contact info” so you can have pictures beside people's names ?
I can't get that working… Anyone know how?
Thanks!!
Just click “Link to Contact” at the top of each Ping! chat.
I just download the app but all it says please wait for connecting and I have to wait forever. I don't know if it is matter with the network(fido) or with my iphone 3Gs.. Anybody can help please?
Here's a link to a guy that figured out a way to use real BBM over the iPhone. This was just done a few days ago for the first time.
Here's a link to a guy that figured out a way to use real BBM over the iPhone. This was just done a few days ago for the first time.
Here's a link to a guy that figured out a way to use real BBM over the iPhone. This was just done a few days ago for the first time.
ok! very good!
wonderful!
you are right!                Â
thank you!          Â
ok! very good!
wonderful!
you are right!                Â
thank you!          Â
ok! very good!
wonderful!
you are right!                Â
thank you!          Â
ok! very good!
wonderful!
you are right!                Â
thank you!          Â
ok! very good!
wonderful!
you are right!                Â
thank you!          Â
Reading this translation, you feel like you’re in the room, observing with the invisible narrator himself, smiling or shuddering at facial expressions, nodding in agreement with Tolstoy’s acute descriptions.
Reading this translation, you feel like you’re in the room, observing with the invisible narrator himself, smiling or shuddering at facial expressions, nodding in agreement with Tolstoy’s acute descriptions.
Reading this translation, you feel like you’re in the room, observing with the invisible narrator himself, smiling or shuddering at facial expressions, nodding in agreement with Tolstoy’s acute descriptions.
Reading this translation, you feel like you’re in the room, observing with the invisible narrator himself, smiling or shuddering at facial expressions, nodding in agreement with Tolstoy’s acute descriptions.
good
The app is lightweight and will let you message any friend/family member who has an iPhone or iPod Touch!
Then, you add the ID of your friends and instantly you can message them!
Also, you can link your Ping! friends to their contact info. This will
show their picture and quickly allow you to access their info!
Throughout the year, my staff and I will be posting our observations and
suggestions, as well as sharing some of the specifics about our
admissions process.