Kik alternative

[profane]

Seeing how the Kik. app hasn't been updated in ages and I use it to keep in touch with friends over seas, is there an alternative app that can connect to the Kik. network?  I'm pretty fed up of not having any notifications pop up on the home screen, even when it does, it's days late.  I've tried talking them into using a different app, but they won't budge because they like it too much (they're on droids).

 

Pretty sick of the lack of updates on most of the WP apps (or lack there of), I really don't want to switch to droid though because WP is great in all other aspects, it's the apps that really need to improve.  Thanks.