App for That: How to have free, password-protected messaging with Android and Blackberry

There are hundreds of thousands of iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad apps for just about everything -- so how come the one you need, the one you know just has to be there, is so hard to find? Enter TiPb's new weekly feature where staff and readers alike sort through the App Store and help you find just the right App for That. This week, Jo asks:

I'm searching for a cross-platform Instant Messaging app that can employ a passcode. I need to be able to communicate with a Blackberry user. And, I'd like to be able to passcode lock just that IM app, without passcode protecting my full phone. Any ideas?

To see what we found for Jo, follow along after the break!

KakaoTalk Messenger [Free - App Store link] is an SMS alternative for iPhone, Android, and Blackberry. One of it's distinguishing features from similar apps is that it allows you to set a passcode on the app that must be entered every time you open KakaoTalk.

Some other features include group messaging, multimedia sharing, English, Spanish, Japanese and Korean support, and custom backgrounds.

As of now, the Blackberry version for KakaoTalk is under beta, but it's a public beta, so anyone can download it. Just keep in mind that there are probably some kinks that are still being worked out.

To learn more about KakaoTalk and to download for Android and Blackberry, head on over to Kakao's website.

Anyone else have any App for That suggestions for Jo? Let him -- and all of us -- know.

Having trouble finding what you need in the app store? Head on over to our App and Game Feature Forum and let us know what you're looking for. The TiPb community will do our best to find you just the right App for That!