Exclusive: Mobile Messenging Service Nimbuzz and O2 Partner in Worlds First

Today, Nimbuzz are celebrating and with good reason. The Dutch startup has become the first social messenger to see their application preinstalled by a Tier 1 Global Mobile Network, in this case, O2 Germany.

Its with thanks to an initially agreed partnership with Toshiba in February that the application was initially incorporated. With 25% of the 85 million mobile users in Europe, the deal is somewhat of a coo for Nimbuzz who will see their application pre-installed by one of the worldsleading mobile players, with potential for further integration into international markets.

Accessed via a central icon on the home screen the app integrates seamlessly onto the handset and unlike the iPhone, the application can be set to “always on” which should suit the most communication hungry. Additionally, Nimbuzz has integrated StudiVZ, Germany’s most popular social network, into the application further enhancing O2’s value offering.

Nimbuzz has enjoyed months of good press, partnerships and growth, currently growing at a rate of over 900,000 sign-ups per month and operating in 200 countries.

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This latest update comes soon after confirmation of another partnership agreement that will see Nimbuzz partner with Voxbone to let users make voice calls without 3G or Wi-Fi connectivity to their contacts on virtually every popular IM and VOIP service, including Skype. Nimbuzz detects when the handset is out of Wi-Fi or 3G range and conveniently steps in, requesting permission to automatically dial a local access number and route the call over the Internet.

iPhone users eager to get their hands on the OS 3.0 release of the app will have to wait a little longer. Push notifications and other new features are still in testing, but are believed to be available very soon.

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