mms question

[DarthTreydor]

as we all know, the iphone doesn't currently support multimedia messages. i'm curious as to whether people think that when (or if) it does, it will be part of a firmware update or a hardware update (the iphone 2). i, for one find it very irritating to be the owner of the most innovative phone on the market but i have to explain to people why I didn't get the picture they just sent me.

thoughts?

[skubish]

This is just another example of Apple arrogance. Any free camera for can do MMS but the iPhone can't. Its almost like the 1 button mouse all over again.

I think they are saving MMS for iPhone 2.0. It could be done with a firmware update if they wanted to.

[erickufrin]

This is just another example of Apple arrogance. Any free camera for can do MMS but the iPhone can't. Its almost like the 1 button mouse all over again.

I agree. How is this not supported yet?? This should have been here by now! 1.1.4..... come on!

[jonme]

make sure to let apple know of this annoyance, go to http://www.apple.com/feedback/iphone.html

[Ferrd]

I know that there was a 3rd party app being built to make MMS work. The web site is http://www.swirlyspace.com/iphone/apps/mms/

Does anyone know what happened to this project? It was supposed to be ready at the end of January....

[~Phi]

I'd just like to add that I passionately HATE that viewmymessage.com web site. :D

[Vertical]

I sent them feedback on this yesterday. I really hate not being able to do MMS and I too HATE that friggin viewmymessage.com website. Especially using it with the iPhone. I feel like I'm using one of those garbage cellphones that people give away when I have to visit that site while everyone else is merrily listening to the audio clip someone sent them via MMS or checking out the cool animated picture. I'm stuck with viewmymessage.com that basically allows me about as much access to an MMS that the message might as well have been a text message... not to mention having to type in those stupid keys for each and every MMS message I recieve.

user: aslkj72023
pass: dolphin223home

I mean COMMON!!! Add MMS so I can participate with the rest of the people I work with :'(

[SilentLoner]

I agree, I hardly use mms but I think it should be implemented just in case I use it or other people send me stuff.

[waterskier2007]

This is just another example of Apple arrogance. Any free camera for can do MMS but the iPhone can't. Its almost like the 1 button mouse all over again.

I think they are saving MMS for iPhone 2.0. It could be done with a firmware update if they wanted to.

i personally would be pissed if they made it part of iphone 2.0, if they did that i would straight up fly to california and kill steve jobs. i love apple but i hate telling people. yeah i bought a 600 dollar (i bought near release time) phone and i cant get the picture that your free phone sent me

[HotblackDesiato]

It was well documented before launch that the iPhone did not support MMS, and there was nothing to indicate that it ever would.

If MMS was so important to you all, why did you part with your hard earned cash for a device that could not meet your demands?

Not trying to poke anyone with a stick here, just interested.

[Ferrd]

It was well documented before launch that the iPhone did not support MMS, and there was nothing to indicate that it ever would.

If MMS was so important to you all, why did you part with your hard earned cash for a device that could not meet your demands?

Not trying to poke anyone with a stick here, just interested.

Well for me the answer was easy. Like any other device out there, I figured it either would have been implemented as an update or a 3rd party software. I wouldn't have guessed in a million years it would have taken this long.

[SFC Archer]

Well for me the answer was easy. Like any other device out there, I figured it either would have been implemented as an update or a 3rd party software. I wouldn't have guessed in a million years it would have taken this long.

Im so sorry for your dissapointment. There were never any gurantees and based on usage stats that I am sure apple has used and to more depth...you may NEVER see it on the product.

Someone else posted this link in the 1.1.4 update but it seems fitting to put it here so that all you so called mms users can truly see how much its NOT used. http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=784513

Email works fine for me and it does not reduce my decent iPhone picture down to a worthless, grainy thumbnail. Never used MMS in my life and never will even if it is added to the iPhone.

Wish you luck on your dream.;)

[cupofjoe]

Im so sorry for your dissapointment. There were never any gurantees and based on usage stats that I am sure apple has used and to more depth...you may NEVER see it on the product.

Someone else posted this link in the 1.1.4 update but it seems fitting to put it here so that all you so called mms users can truly see how much its NOT used. http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=784513

Email works fine for me and it does not reduce my decent iPhone picture down to a worthless, grainy thumbnail. Never used MMS in my life and never will even if it is added to the iPhone.

Wish you luck on your dream.;)


Uhm, that google answers thing is over 3 years old?

[SFC Archer]

Uhm, that google answers thing is over 3 years old?

So? I stated in my comments/opinion that I am sure apple had more recent data...and if you read the whole article it projects out to 2010 which is what action planning teams use to help design and forecast products for the future. Again, I am not claiming to be a Mr. know it all. It is just a "Mac RUMOR"...If others can state one side, why can't I state the other? :)

[HotblackDesiato]

The stats are irrelevant.

99% of people could use MMS, but the point is that Apple chose not to support it, and stated from the start (albeit with a subsequent u-turn) that the iPhone would remain a closed platform with no 3rd party development.

Knowing this, many people still bought an iPhone and continue to moan about the lack of MMS.

[Ferrd]

I'm not arguing that we knew going in there would be no MMS support. I honestly felt it would be implemented. Let's face it, EVERY piece of $H1T phone with a camera today supports MMS. It's that simple. So, to me I can not see any rationalization on why Apple should not add the app. If you do not want it, nor will use it, do not pay to have the MMS package added to your account and do not use the software (if it ever gets added). I for one would pay the additional $ to have an MMS package added if the phone supported it.

Like I said in an earlier post, I have gone over to email for my pictures. However, I must admit it that it aggravates me to send them messages now...knowing that my friends with their "free for signing an ATT, Verizon, or whoever contract" phones can receive and send messages without the run around iPhone users have to go through.

And to make matters worse, ATT can not even give us a reliable web site to view the messages sent to us.

[Bad Ash]

Im so sorry for your dissapointment. There were never any gurantees and based on usage stats that I am sure apple has used and to more depth...you may NEVER see it on the product.

Someone else posted this link in the 1.1.4 update but it seems fitting to put it here so that all you so called mms users can truly see how much its NOT used. http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=784513

Email works fine for me and it does not reduce my decent iPhone picture down to a worthless, grainy thumbnail. Never used MMS in my life and never will even if it is added to the iPhone.

Wish you luck on your dream.;)

From your article you posted...
"According to J upiterResearch senior wireless analyst Julie Ask, “only
6 percent of U.S. subscribers, or about 12 million people, used MMS in
2005. Jupiter believes 21 percent of subscribers - about 52.5 million
- will be using these services by 2010.”

In-Stat's May 2005 report, "Mobile Messaging: More Products, More
Growth," predicted that “21 million mobile subscribers in the U.S.
would use MMS in 2005, rising to 112 million by 2009.”
"

52 million and 112 million are by no means small numbers...
And I have not had MMS since my Treo 650 and after dumping that it's all been Windows Mobile via Sprint. Which does not have mms... I've lived but it would be nice to be added. If not I will continue to send via email to mobile phones or email.

[HotblackDesiato]

From your article you posted...
"According to J upiterResearch senior wireless analyst Julie Ask, “only
6 percent of U.S. subscribers, or about 12 million people, used MMS in
2005. Jupiter believes 21 percent of subscribers - about 52.5 million
- will be using these services by 2010.”

In-Stat's May 2005 report, "Mobile Messaging: More Products, More
Growth," predicted that “21 million mobile subscribers in the U.S.
would use MMS in 2005, rising to 112 million by 2009.”
"

52 million and 112 million are by no means small numbers...

As I mentioned earlier, the stats are completely irrelevant.

[Bad Ash]

As I mentioned earlier, the stats are completely irrelevant.

Ok, I was not responding to your post. I was responding to the person who posted the link. He made it out to look like nobody used MMS.... according to his article. Which I honestly could care less about.

[SFC Archer]

Ok, I was not responding to your post. I was responding to the person who posted the link. He made it out to look like nobody used MMS.... according to his article. Which I honestly could care less about.

...and you are correct to a point Bad Ash, my point was not that "nobody" uses it, my point is that its not used "as Much" as certain individuals in these threads make it out to be.

The prediction is that in 2 more years, a little over 50% of cell phone users will use mms. This could be less or more come 2010, no one knows...If Apple decides to not add MMS then that number could be less because the iPhone is so popular and if they add it, then it could be higher. I was only stating some statistics to give those die hards a reference point.

Like you and like I have already stated, I could care less about MMS as I do not, have not and never will use something I do not feel is needed, and "IMO" it is not needed.

Thanks for your feedback

[SFC Archer]

The stats are irrelevant.

99% of people could use MMS, but the point is that Apple chose not to support it, and stated from the start (albeit with a subsequent u-turn) that the iPhone would remain a closed platform with no 3rd party development.

Knowing this, many people still bought an iPhone and continue to moan about the lack of MMS.

In response to your feedback Desiato...I have to say IMO I think your wrong. Statistics has everything to do with what a company does or does not produce. Extensive market analysis goes into every product and what will or wont be developed for it. Analysis and Market Share are done for each and every product developed in the world so that the company can decide what will or won't sell. I am quite sure that Apple did extensive market analysis using statistical data to develope the iPhone...I dont have facts or figures, just allot of common sense and marketing experience, so with that said I cordially disagree with your assessment to my post.

[HotblackDesiato]

In response to your feedback Desiato...I have to say IMO I think your wrong. Statistics has everything to do with what a company does or does not produce. Extensive market analysis goes into every product and what will or wont be developed for it. Analysis and Market Share are done for each and every product developed in the world so that the company can decide what will or won't sell. I am quite sure that Apple did extensive market analysis using statistical data to develope the iPhone...I dont have facts or figures, just allot of common sense and marketing experience, so with that said I cordially disagree with your assessment to my post.

I see your point.

However, I wasn't saying that the stats had nothing to do with Apple's decision not to support MMS. I'm sure they researched it thoroughly.

I'm saying that the stats are irrelevant in the 'I paid $xxx for a phone that doesn't support MMS and I'm pissed off' rant that I keep hearing.

No-one was forced to buy an iPhone. If people are daft enough to buy a device that cannot meet their demands, I have no sympathy. A fool and his money are easily parted.

[Bad Ash]

...and you are correct to a point Bad Ash, my point was not that "nobody" uses it, my point is that its not used "as Much" as certain individuals in these threads make it out to be.

The prediction is that in 2 more years, a little over 50% of cell phone users will use mms. This could be less or more come 2010, no one knows...If Apple decides to not add MMS then that number could be less because the iPhone is so popular and if they add it, then it could be higher. I was only stating some statistics to give those die hards a reference point.

Like you and like I have already stated, I could care less about MMS as I do not, have not and never will use something I do not feel is needed, and "IMO" it is not needed.

Thanks for your feedback

Like I mentioned earlier, I've used my email to send pics for the last 3-4 windows mobile phones I've owned, so I am used to it. Just added a extra email address for all my contacts that I send pics to and you are good to go. But I won't say it wouldn't be nice to have it. If it was there I'd use it, why not...

[diamond.g]

Im so sorry for your dissapointment. There were never any gurantees and based on usage stats that I am sure apple has used and to more depth...you may NEVER see it on the product.

Someone else posted this link in the 1.1.4 update but it seems fitting to put it here so that all you so called mms users can truly see how much its NOT used. http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=784513

Email works fine for me and it does not reduce my decent iPhone picture down to a worthless, grainy thumbnail. Never used MMS in my life and never will even if it is added to the iPhone.

Wish you luck on your dream.;)

Just a slight FYI, according to those stats even less people used email. So if it was about stats then Apple would have included MMS. Really, if email was supposed to replace MMS, they should have added the ability to send voice clips and more than one photo per email. That would be nice.

[HotblackDesiato]

Like I mentioned earlier, I've used my email to send pics for the last 3-4 windows mobile phones I've owned, so I am used to it. Just added a extra email address for all my contacts that I send pics to and you are good to go. But I won't say it wouldn't be nice to have it. If it was there I'd use it, why not...

It's refreshing to hear someone talking sense on the subject. It would be nice to have, but hey, it's not there so lets get on with life....

[The Phazer]

The stats are irrelevant.

99% of people could use MMS, but the point is that Apple chose not to support it, and stated from the start (albeit with a subsequent u-turn) that the iPhone would remain a closed platform with no 3rd party development.

Knowing this, many people still bought an iPhone and continue to moan about the lack of MMS.

They also said there would be regular firmware updates with new features.

That one would be MMS was not an unreasonable assumption, nor was that obvious flaws would take less than 9 months to address.

Phazer

[HotblackDesiato]

They also said there would be regular firmware updates with new features.

That one would be MMS was not an unreasonable assumption, nor was that obvious flaws would take less than 9 months to address.

Phazer

But at the end of the day, that's exactly what it was, an assumption.

Spending £269 on a phone and hoping it eventually supports a feature that you really want is a gamble. Like all gambles, you can win or lose. Just don't moan about it if you lose.

[atomsk47]

I am not pissed off that I spent this much on a phone even though it doesn't support mms. I am still very happy with my purchase. I have never been a huge mms user. The only thing that I don't understand is that this is pretty much a standard feature on cell phones today regardless of price. I have yet to hear a valid reason for not including it. It can't be that hard to implement considering all the other applications that are already on the iPhone.

[sal]

the fact that it doesn't support mms doesn't bother me as much as they way the "work-around" is implemented.

why can't we just have the ability to receive it as a link via SMS? this way, we just click it, it'll open a new browser window. Heck even make us type in a short password. But don't make us, go into safari, open up view my message. go back and forth between sms and safari to input the message id and password.

okay sms isn't smart enough to handle links, no problem. email us any mms message we receive. it could probably be embedded into the email.

but maybe they never expected us to access these images using the web on our phones. we were suppose to come home, open up viewmymessage and check out all these wonderful mms messages we received during the day.

[HotblackDesiato]

I am not pissed off that I spent this much on a phone even though it doesn't support mms. I am still very happy with my purchase. I have never been a huge mms user. The only thing that I don't understand is that this is pretty much a standard feature on cell phones today regardless of price. I have yet to hear a valid reason for not including it. It can't be that hard to implement considering all the other applications that are already on the iPhone.

Perhaps something we will never know.

However, you can be sure it was a decision well researched and not taken lightly. Just like the omission of an optical drive on the MacBook Air and the floppy drive on the original iMac back in 1998.

Mind you, I wouldn't be surprised to see an Apple u-turn like their eventual decision to open the iPhone platform via the SDK.

[SFC Archer]

I see your point.

However, I wasn't saying that the stats had nothing to do with Apple's decision not to support MMS. I'm sure they researched it thoroughly.

I'm saying that the stats are irrelevant in the 'I paid $xxx for a phone that doesn't support MMS and I'm pissed off' rant that I keep hearing.

No-one was forced to buy an iPhone. If people are daft enough to buy a device that cannot meet their demands, I have no sympathy. A fool and his money are easily parted.

I totally agree with you and am just as tired of all of the moanin and groanin that you are...that is why I post the "non-conformists" side. I long ago learned to improvise, adapt and overcome and always maintained a PMA. Be happy with what you have today as it may be gone tomorrow.

Like I mentioned earlier, I've used my email to send pics for the last 3-4 windows mobile phones I've owned, so I am used to it. Just added a extra email address for all my contacts that I send pics to and you are good to go. But I won't say it wouldn't be nice to have it. If it was there I'd use it, why not...

I did kind of miss quote you...sorry. Again, I still agree with you as I have already stated.

Just a slight FYI, according to those stats even less people used email. So if it was about stats then Apple would have included MMS. Really, if email was supposed to replace MMS, they should have added the ability to send voice clips and more than one photo per email. That would be nice.

You also have a well taken point. However, slight flaw and reason for it...MMS, as you have stated is available on "almost" every phone produced yet has a low percentage of use, according to the survey. Yet, very few phones are email capable except a few smartphones which accounts for the small percentage...right? They wouldnt include MMS "IF" they believed that mms was a dying option and would be replaced by email on a web based phone. This is also proven in the Asian market in which mms is for the most part a thing of the past and they have moved onto email...and I will tell you that this market is so far ahead of us in cell technology that we (the US) will never surpass them. Again, i am not saying you are wrong...I am just stating some obvious opinions that "COULD" account for some decisions...I am not apple, never will be and obviously just state my opinion.

I am not pissed off that I spent this much on a phone even though it doesn't support mms. I am still very happy with my purchase. I have never been a huge mms user. The only thing that I don't understand is that this is pretty much a standard feature on cell phones today regardless of price. I have yet to hear a valid reason for not including it. It can't be that hard to implement considering all the other applications that are already on the iPhone.

Again, I have given some opinion reasons above. But like you have learned to improvise, adapt and overcome and have just never needed or wanted mms. I, like others here are just tired of the whinin about something that someday may be or will just die....enjoy what you have in the here and now as it is a great pleasure to use...I will never look at another cell phone the same again.

Thanks for the great discussions guys!

[HotblackDesiato]

Thanks for the great discussions guys!

I'm surprised this sensible discussion has gone on so long without it being interrupted by an irrational rant in unintelligible text speak.

[SFC Archer]

I'm surprised this sensible discussion has gone on so long without it being interrupted by an irrational rant in unintelligible text speak.

lol...as am I, however it could be because what we are saying has some simblance of common sense and we aren't at each others throats. It is nice to agree not to agree sometimes :)

or those that are never happy with anything and trolls haven't read it yet....JUST KIDDING GUYS! :D

[Bad Ash]

lol...as am I, however it could be because what we are saying has some simblance of common sense and we aren't at each others throats. It is nice to agree not to agree sometimes :)

or those that are never happy with anything and trolls haven't read it yet....JUST KIDDING GUYS! :D

I agree... coming from Sprint and Windows Mobile it's nice just to be able to look forward to updates and such a lot more often. Maybe once a year would you get any kind of firmware update. And that was mainly just for bug fixes. Nothing was ever added unless you added it yourself with a 3rd party app. It's nice that Apple continues to try implementing other features. Even though MMS isn't one of them. :p

[HotblackDesiato]

lol...as am I, however it could be because what we are saying has some simblance of common sense and we aren't at each others throats. It is nice to agree not to agree sometimes :)

or those that are never happy with anything and trolls haven't read it yet....JUST KIDDING GUYS! :D

Indeed.

On that note, I think I'll call it a night and hit bed while the going is good. ;)

[mrtune]

I'd just like to add that I passionately HATE that viewmymessage.com web site. :D

Me too!!

Those lucky europeans have that cool web app to easily look at mms photos, and we get this piece of crap website that not only sucks to use on a computer, but requires flash which we do not have!

[Wingnut330]

Is this something that can be fixed with the release of the iPhone SDK?

[diamond.g]

Is this something that can be fixed with the release of the iPhone SDK?

In the US I am pretty sure AT&T has to be involved as well. Since the MMS gateway has to be told that the iPhone supports MMS versus sending us the link.

[NDimichino]

There are codes that let you send pictures via e-mail to other phones...

Verizon: Number@vzwpix.com
T-Mobile: Number@tmomail.net
AT&T: Number@mms.att.net
Sprint: Number@messaging.sprintpcs.com

[aross99]

There are codes that let you send pictures via e-mail to other phones...

Verizon: Number@vzwpix.com
T-Mobile: Number@tmomail.net
AT&T: Number@mms.att.net
Sprint: Number@messaging.sprintpcs.com

It's not sending pics that is the problem, it's receiving them. As everyone has said, we can change our behavior to get around this, but it's a little unreasonable to expect the rest of the world to adapt to send us pics.

As everyone here has said, it's certainly not a deal breaker, or not even something to complain about, but the iPhone is so close to perfect, that it would seem like this would be a simple change.

Kind of like adding the ability to send SMS to more than one user. Not something that I use very often, and something that every other phone can do. It was a nice addition when Apple fixed this.

I would be nice to see SMS accept e-mail addresses like other phones too. It's WAY quicker than using e-mail for short messages. This would be a trivial change, and would close another gap between the iPhone and the rest of the phones in the world. I bet some of you didn't even know you could do that with your old phone. :-)

I love my iPhone and I wouldn't trade it for anything else - but it would be nice to see a couple of more features make the jump (repeating reminder tones, and video capture come to mind too).

We all have our wants and needs in a phone, and no two people use the iPhone the same way. It will be interesting to see if the SDK allows us to get some of these features if Apple decides not to provide them...

[liberty4all]

To send/receive MMS, get Swirly MMS, but first jailbreak your iPhone with ZiPhone:

http://ziphone.org

SwirlyMMS 0.3.2 — RECEIVE MMS on iPhone!!!
http://blog.swirlyspace.com/

Add the following repo source to your installer: swirlyspace.com/SwirlySpace.xml
Make sure you spell correctly. This means that capital letters etc also have to be exactly as above!!!!

Note: you also have to call AT&T to enable MMS per use ($.25/ea.) — tell them you sometimes use your SIM w/other phones, since they will claim iPhone cannot do MMS…

Here’s the settings you need:
http://www.swirlyspace.com/iphone/ap…/settings.html