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Status messages have evolved quite a bit. The early IM platforms, most popularly AIM, had away messages, where you could leave a note when you were away from your computer. That evolved into status messages, where you can set a message even when at your computer. Facebook and Twitter have taken that to a new level, as they represent perpetual and constantly updated status messages. BBCool links us to the BlackBerry equivalent: WhatsApp. Once you install this application, you can share your status with other users. This is not only immediately useful, but has further-reaching implications.

WhatsApp is most functional when users set their actual status, rather than leaving a clever message. It lets others — who also have installed the application — know what you’re up to at the moment. Wondering if it’s a good time to call? Check WhatsApp. If it’s not you can always send a text or email.

As BBCool notes, this concept would be best integrated with the Address Book app, so that you can quickly scroll to a friend and see if they are free or not. There are all sorts of ways this could develop, too, including notifications that the part is already on the phone, that they’ve set their phone to silent, and many others.

Of course, it’s of little use if you don’t have friends who have also installed the app. So let ‘em all know. It’s free, after all. You can hit http://www.whatsapp.com/bb/ from your BlackBerry browser for an OTA download, or http://www.whatsapp.com/bb/DesktopManager.zip for the desktop download.

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