Features
MSN is the network Berryvine messenger works on. The program can run in the background, so you can go back and forth from your email to Berryvine fairly easily. This allows always connected ability, just be sure that you have a large data plan so you do not rack up the data cost. It also has a diagnostics that will run through and verify ports are working along with communication with the network. When you receive a message you have several options, you can choose to be alerted by a vibration, sound or the flashing message LED or any combination of the three. The pop up feature lets you know a new IM has arrived and you choose whether to go into BerryVine to respond. You can manually change your status or it will put you “away†after a time of inactivity.
Chatting
Sending and receiving messages is pretty responsive, not as quick as on a PC but pretty close. Opening a chat session is simple; highlight the person you wish to IM, click the wheel and choose send message. This brings up a window showing who you are “chatting withâ€. Now to chat you need to have your input window highlighted which at first is not obvious. If you on the wrong window it won’t type. Once you in the right windows just type your message and hit enter to send the message. If you want to run the messenger in the background you need to close your chat windows then you can do so. Berryvine also supports the ability to invite other users to a chat session.
Support
I didn’t make calls and send e-mails for the purpose of this review. They have a pretty basic FAQ with some other general need to know information. There is a support form you can fill out if you run into an issue. I did see one issue where I got the error 800 moving to rapidly. But it would show and go away without any real interference.
Conclusion
BerryVine is nice little MSN network messenger for the Blackberry. It is quick, has a clean interface, and it easy to use. The biggest issue would be that Berryvine only supports one protocol, which is great if you only use MSN but one should find another solution if they use multiple instant messaging programs. However the benefit of only supporting MSN is that Berryvine does not use a proxy server so the price of $14.95 is only one time.
Reviewed by Byron Bacher
The program is available for $12.95 at Neon Toad, http://www.neontoad.com
Visit the following page for screenshots …
