Samsung has launched ChatON, a free mobile communication service that works across platforms. The company says it works on all major smartphones and featurephones. In addition to Samsungs own bada- and Android-powered smartphones, ChatON will also work on iOS, BlackBerry and other Android handset brands via an app, and a web-based client. 

ChatON allows rich media messaging, group chats, and the ability to create custom animated messages and send them to friends. The smartphone app has extra functionality, including an Interaction Rank feature that allows you to see which of your contacts you interact with the most. It also lets you post messages on other users profile pages, giving the app a social networking spin. The basic functionality option for featurephones allows for sharing text, pictures, and calendar and contact records through the ChatON client. 

Simon Stanford, MD of mobile for Samsung UK and Ireland says: “The new ChatON service simplifies mobile communication for Samsung customers by allowing users to connect to our upcoming feature phones and all major smartphones in the market. The service allows customers to enjoy easier and richer interactivity with whoever they want around the globe, in the format they want.”

Samsung ChatON will be rolled out gradually across all major smartphones, tablets, and notebooks over the coming months. It is also built into three new bada phones, launched at the IFA 2011 show in Berlin – the Wave 3, Wave M and Wave Y models.