ChatON is Samsung's communication and messaging service, similar to RIM's BBM. It's available across a range of Samsung devices (tablets, phones) and platforms (Android, Bada), but uptake has been relatively slow and therefore its usefulness is limited by the network effect.
In terms of functionality, ChatON is essentially an instant messaging service, with support for rich media messages. Users can chat one-on-one, in groups, or send broadcast messages. There's also support for sending animations, pictures, contact information, calendar events, and location information. As part of the picture messaging support, there's a built-in image editor that lets you create your own animations and customise photos with drawings and stamps.
To encourage people to use the service every user is assigned an interaction rank (think role playing XP points, but for messaging), with points awarded based on how much you use the service.
Samsung may not be able to match Nokia in terms of the provision of exclusive apps, but its encouraging to see it porting its service orientated apps to the Windows Phone platform. The next app of this type that we are likely to see made available for Windows Phone is FamilyStory, a cloud-based service that allows you to share videos and photo slide-shows with family and friends.