ChatON, Samsung's attempt to get a piece of the messaging app pie, has just launched in the iTunes App Store. This cross-platform app was initially announced back at IFA in September, and launched in the Android Market and on Bada phones in the middle of October. The iOS version appears stylistically and functionally equivalent to those earlier apps, with group chats, video / picture messaging, the ability to "draw" messages on the touchscreen, and a boatload of emoticons all available. To get set up, you'll need to put in your phone number and then input a registration code that comes via SMS; we had no problems getting an iPhone 4S set up, unlike when we trying registering the Android version back in October.

If you have a bunch of BlackBerry-toting friends who you had hoped to chat with using this app, you'll have to keep waiting — there's no sign of the BlackBerry version yet. While it's not clear how many iMessage or BBM addicts are going to use yet another chat service, Samsung does have the advantage of bundling it with its Android phones — ChatON may yet find an audience.