Samsung's free ChatON multi-platform messaging service goes live

Samsung Electronics announced its new ChatON mobile communication service is now available for download from its Samsung Apps storefront as well as Google's (NASDAQ:GOOG) Android Market.

First unveiled in late August, ChatON enables consumers 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 allows subscribers 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 offers a feature-rich version for smartphones including animated messages and a "Trunk" documenting all multimedia items sent and received during the course of the conversation.

Beginning this month, Samsung will preload ChatON across all new smartphones running its own bada operating system as well as select feature phones. The manufacturer adds the service will roll out across additional platforms throughout the remainder of 2011. Samsung has also stated it plans to expand ChatON 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) new 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 this summer, enables iOS and Android device users to correspond directly with their Facebook friends. And in late August, Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT)-owned 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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