Samsung introduces ChatON cross-platform messaging service

Samsung Electronics unveiled ChatON, a free mobile messaging service enabling users to communicate across all major smartphone and feature phone platforms.

Similar in concept to Research In Motion's (NASDAQ:RIMM) signature BlackBerry Messenger instant messaging service, ChatON enables users to share text communications, photos, video clips and hand-written notes; the service includes support for group messaging and also features a web client to enable conversations between mobile and PC users. Alongside the basic ChatON service optimized for feature phones, Samsung will offer a feature-rich version for smartphones including interaction rankings, animated messages and a "Trunk" for automatic content sharing.

Samsung will launch ChatON next month in more than 120 countries, with support for up to 62 languages. It also plans expand the solution beyond mobile phones to connected devices like tablets and netbooks.

ChatON is the latest entry in the increasingly competitive mobile messaging space. Apple's (NASDAQ:AAPL) much-anticipated iOS 5 operating system overhaul brings with it iMessage, which lets consumers send free text messages, photos and videos among all iOS devices. Facebook Messenger, a free, standalone application introduced earlier this month, enables iOS and Android device users to correspond directly with their Facebook friends. And just last week, Skype acquired group messaging solutions startup GroupMe, whose application enables users to text and make conference calls with circles of friends or colleagues across multiple operating systems.

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