Let's compile all iPhone-to-iPhone messaging apps here!

[PBF]

WhatsApp
http://i37.tinypic.com/13zwlkp.png
Status: Released
Price: $0.99
Link: www.appshopper.com/social-networking/whatsapp
Website: www.whatsapp.com
Developer: Jan Koum (http://forums.macrumors.com/member.php?u=291969)

Ping!
http://i35.tinypic.com/a5jp11.png
Status: Released
Price: $0.99
Link: www.appshopper.com/social-networking/ping-4
Website: www.pingmessaging.com
Developer: Gary Fung (http://forums.macrumors.com/member.php?u=237976)

Blipr
http://i37.tinypic.com/8x94jl.png
Status: Released
Price: $0.99
Link: www.appshopper.com/entertainment/blipr
Website: www.return7.com
Developer: Amro Mousa (http://forums.macrumors.com/member.php?u=235045) & Andrew Conner

BuzzMe!
http://i37.tinypic.com/2lmt0es.png
Status: Released
Price: Free
Link: www.appshopper.com/social-networking/buzzme
Website: www.zimmelus.com/apps/BuzzMe.html
Developer: Michael Zimmermann

pMessenger
http://i34.tinypic.com/2renupt.png
Status: Released
Price: $0.99
Link: www.appshopper.com/social-networking/pmessenger-with-push
Website: www.pmessenger.net
Developer: fedj (http://forums.macrumors.com/member.php?u=332610)

iPM
http://i34.tinypic.com/33f49yf.png
Status: Released
Price: $0.99
Link: www.appshopper.com/social-networking/ipm-2
Website: http://web.me.com/ipm4iphone
Developer: SAG3194 (http://forums.macrumors.com/member.php?u=265068)

MessageNow
http://i38.tinypic.com/2090boi.png
Status: Released
Price: Free
Link: www.appshopper.com/social-networking/messagenow
Website: www.enflick.com
Developer: Derek Ting (http://forums.macrumors.com/member.php?u=331007)

Flow Messenger
http://i36.tinypic.com/35hkccg.png
Status: Released
Price: Free
Link: www.appshopper.com/social-networking/flow-messenger
Website: www.flowmessenger.com
Developer: Vincent Young (http://forums.macrumors.com/member.php?u=333368)

iMessenger
Status: Released
Price: Free
Link:
Website: www.imessengerapp.com
Developer: iMessengerApp (http://forums.macrumors.com/member.php?u=369014)

[nburwell]

There is also U SMS which was developed and released by Derek of Enflick.

[Almy]

To me this is a case where competition actually hurts the intent. It needs to be one app that all devices have, otherwise it's just a bunch of other IM programs that aren't cross platform like gtalk and others.

I hope one is successful, but several just drown each other out.

[return7]

Blipr -- but it's more about sounds (although it does the messaging too). http://return7.com for screenshots.

[QCassidy352]

To me this is a case where competition actually hurts the intent. It needs to be one app that all devices have, otherwise it's just a bunch of other IM programs that aren't cross platform like gtalk and others.

I hope one is successful, but several just drown each other out.

absolutely right. This category of messaging apps is already limited to a) iphones, and b) iphone users who want an iphone-to-iphone app. Now that's further broken down in to all of these separate apps... how many people you going to be able to contact with any given one of these apps?

[srl7741]

To me this is a case where competition actually hurts the intent. It needs to be one app that all devices have, otherwise it's just a bunch of other IM programs that aren't cross platform like gtalk and others.

I hope one is successful, but several just drown each other out.

You kind of have a good point. Seems they could end up killing off each other and not being a big hit.

[PBF]

There is also U SMS which was developed and released by Derek of Enflick.
That's not a BBM type of messaging app. It's another SMS app like Textfree Unlimited by Pinger.

[mebx86]

One will eventually reign among all others and the others will desist and a winner will be declared. It'll be interesting to see which one comes out victorious! Let the battle begin :D

[sidewinder]

That's not a BBM type of messaging app. It's another SMS app like Textfree Unlimited by Pinger.

Actually, it does both. iPhone to iPhone conversations do not go through any SMS gateway.

S-

[mebx86]

Can't wait to check iMessenger out!! It's the ONLY one with Message Delivery n Message Read notification status ;)

[PBF]

Actually, it does both. iPhone to iPhone conversations do not go through any SMS gateway.

S-
I want this thread to contain apps specially designated for use amongst iPhone users only, please. :)

And yes, I am aware of the existence of such wonderful apps as Beejive, IM+, Textfree Unlimited, Unlimited SMS, etc. But they don't quite fit into this thread. ;)

[PBF]

Blipr -- but it's more about sounds (although it does the messaging too). http://return7.com for screenshots.
Interesting. I'm following you on Twitter. Thanks.

[bozzykid]

One will eventually reign among all others and the others will desist and a winner will be declared. It'll be interesting to see which one comes out victorious! Let the battle begin :D

The audience for this feature is so small, you will never find one totally dominate the market. Since it is only iPhone to iPhone, it is very limited and what you use will probably have more to do with what your friends use than anything else. These apps will never get a huge install base until they work across multiple platforms. Personally, SMS and IM work best for me since everyone I know has at least one of these on their phone (and many IM networks can work through SMS too) and certainly not everyone I know uses an iPhone either.

[return7]

Interesting. I'm following you on Twitter. Thanks.

Yep, we submitted it this past Sunday. We're guessing it'll be another week or two before it's approved. :D

[sidewinder]

I want this thread to contain apps specially designated for use amongst iPhone users only, please. :)

And yes, I am aware of the existence of such wonderful apps as Beejive, IM+, Textfree Unlimited, Unlimited SMS, etc. But they don't quite fit into this thread. ;)

Two things:

1. I was not the one that brought up Unlimited SMS. I just commented on a reference to it.

2. Just because you start a thread does not mean you get to tell people what they can and can not do in it.

S-

[sidewinder]

The audience for this feature is so small, you will never find one totally dominate the market. Since it is only iPhone to iPhone, it is very limited and what you use will probably have more to do with what your friends use than anything else. These apps will never get a huge install base until they work across multiple platforms. Personally, SMS and IM work best for me since everyone I know has at least one of these on their phone (and many IM networks can work through SMS too) and certainly not everyone I know uses an iPhone either.
Absolutely spot on!

S-

[PBF]

Two things:

1. I was not the one that brought up Unlimited SMS. I just commented on a reference to it.

2. Just because you start a thread does not mean you get to tell people what they can and can not do in it.

S-
1. Excuse my inattentiveness.

2. Actually, you're right. Freedom of Speech is one of the rights from the First Amendment after all.

[return7]

2. Actually, you're right. Freedom of Speech is one of the rights from the First Amendment after all.

This is a privately owned forum though so the First Amendment does not apply. The rules of the forum, however, do apply. :)

[samcraig]

Here's what needs to happen. Someone with some savvy needs to create an app like beejive now. Sell it for $X, keep some and pay a fee to other application designers in exchange for using their code/servers so that it doesn't matter what bbm type messenger anyone has - they can have one or all of them (like yahoo, aim). Then this one app can be used to aggregate your buddylist in ONE place.

Granted - I don't think any of the developers will want to share their resources - but it would solve the issue...

[bozzykid]

Here's what needs to happen. Someone with some savvy needs to create an app like beejive now. Sell it for $X, keep some and pay a fee to other application designers in exchange for using their code/servers so that it doesn't matter what bbm type messenger anyone has - they can have one or all of them (like yahoo, aim). Then this one app can be used to aggregate your buddylist in ONE place.

Granted - I don't think any of the developers will want to share their resources - but it would solve the issue...

You mean you want the app developers to re-create IM systems that already exists? What you just explained can already be done with jabber/xmpp servers.

[samcraig]

You mean you want the app developers to re-create IM systems that already exists? What you just explained can already be done with jabber/xmpp servers.

no

Each of these developers have created their own messaging "protocol" for their apps and utilize screennames/pin codes/etc.

What I'm saying is - someone should work with all of them and write an app which understands all the different methods so that I can buy one app to "rule them all"

[lostprophet894]

no

Each of these developers have created their own messaging "protocol" for their apps and utilize screennames/pin codes/etc.

What I'm saying is - someone should work with all of them and write an app which understands all the different methods so that I can buy one app to "rule them all"

Love this idea.

One screen name, one login, ability to chat across multiple platforms (kinda like Meebo, I guess).

[samcraig]

Love this idea.

One screen name, one login, ability to chat across multiple platforms (kinda like Meebo, I guess).

Ditto. But as I mentioned before - I don't see it happening because of trust and protectiveness.

All the developers would have to agree to split a percentage from the "master app" sale AND they would have to share their code/methods. I'm guessing each developer will not see the greater good in the idea and instead want to be protective and not share since they worked so hard on their app.

But again - If each developer were to charge .99 to 2.99 for their app and a master app could be built to speak to them all - I'd probably pay 9.99 or something to make sure I was able to speak across platforms...

[lostprophet894]

Ditto. But as I mentioned before - I don't see it happening because of trust and protectiveness.

All the developers would have to agree to split a percentage from the "master app" sale AND they would have to share their code/methods. I'm guessing each developer will not see the greater good in the idea and instead want to be protective and not share since they worked so hard on their app.

But again - If each developer were to charge .99 to 2.99 for their app and a master app could be built to speak to them all - I'd probably pay 9.99 or something to make sure I was able to speak across platforms...

+1

Or they could just make it free!

[bozzykid]

Love this idea.

One screen name, one login, ability to chat across multiple platforms (kinda like Meebo, I guess).

Again it sounds exactly like Jabber/XMPP. I really don't see this happening. If these developers really wanted to support more users, they could use a XMPP server and it would allow you to chat with Google Talk, Jabber, etc users. However, when you venture into becoming an IM system, then you will lose to apps like Beejive who have implemented these features already and are very mature.

[samcraig]

Again it sounds exactly like Jabber/XMPP. I really don't see this happening. If these developers really wanted to support more users, they could use a XMPP server and it would allow you to chat with Google Talk, Jabber, etc users. However, when you venture into becoming an IM system, then you will lose to apps like Beejive who have implemented these features already and are very mature.

perhaps minor for some - but the difference is that you don't have to be logged in. These BBM type messenger apps use push and don't require the program to be open or for you to be logged in...

imessenger right now will also tell you if the message has been read yet.

So it's a little different than just what beejive does.

[PBF]

Personally, I'm ruling iPM out because of its weird chat bubbles, tiny chat font and the use of the Marker Felt font.

Next!

[Macom2009]

Dont forget iPushIt.

iPushIt Appstore Link (http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=319819339&mt=8)

Version 2.0 (just uploaded to Apple) Screenshots :

http://www.i-app.net/wp-content/uploads/main1_en.png http://www.i-app.net/wp-content/uploads/main3_en.png
http://www.i-app.net/wp-content/uploads/themes_en.PNG http://www.i-app.net/wp-content/uploads/gpsshake.png

[PBF]

Dont forget iPushIt.

iPushIt Appstore Link (http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=319819339&mt=8)
iPushIt is NOT solely an iPhone-to-iPhone messaging app. Do you really not see the difference? Or is the thread title too puzzling?

[sidewinder]

iPushIt is NOT solely an iPhone-to-iPhone messaging app. Do you really not see the difference? Or is the thread title too puzzling?

PBF,

You are not God here. You do not get to tell people what they can and can't post. So just stop it.

In any case, the iPushIt description says that the sender and addressee both need iPushIt. Is that too puzzling for you?

S-

[kicko]

You guys sure get touchy about your apps. Who cares what does what and who likes what. You like whatever you want to.

[PBF]

I've updated this thread with two new apps: Blipr (released) and Flow Messenger (unreleased).

P.S. So far, I'm liking Blipr a lot. Nice job, guys! :)

[PBF]

Added BuzzMe!

[nard]

Thanks PBF for adding Flow Messenger. Flow Messenger's backend web service is designed as a consumable resource, so in the future, it can be opened up to other developers to tie into, or I can expand it into other platforms. I would think its abit difficult for other iPhone to iPhone programs to communicate with each other's backend, probably because of different feature sets(some have group chat, some can send pics).

[return7]

And thanks for adding Blipr as well :) It's now 99c like the rest of em.

[PBF]

Guys, I can't keep up with all these BBM wannabes! I give up! LOL.

[nard]

lol, who would have thought the idea would be so popular.

anyways, i wish apple would just use ichat as their iphone to iphone platform with push notification. that would probably be most ideal.

[PBF]

lol, who would have thought the idea would be so popular.

anyways, i wish apple would just use ichat as their iphone to iphone platform with push notification. that would probably be most ideal.
Ditto.

[crazymexx]

iPM is out!!!

[nard]

It's also very interesting that Gary(Ping!) and I(Flow Messenger) are both in Toronto, and Derek (MessageNow) is in Waterloo which is not too far away.

I think it would be interesting to get together sometime and maybe have a beer or two. It'd probably be cool if Jan from WhatsApp was here too, but I might be heading down to SF in the coming year, so maybe next time with Jan =p.

[fedj]

Can't wait to check iMessenger out!! It's the ONLY one with Message Delivery n Message Read notification status ;)

Wrong, pMessenger does it too ... and was the first to do it.

[imacdaddy]

lol, who would have thought the idea would be so popular.

anyways, i wish apple would just use ichat as their iphone to iphone platform with push notification. that would probably be most ideal.

Yes I wish that too. Perhaps this is what the new $1 billion data center in North Carolina could be for and expanding mobileme services. Like RIM out of Waterloo on their push emails and bb messenger. ;)

[jkb]

I might be heading down to SF in the coming year, so maybe next time with Jan =p.

let me know when you make it to Silicon Valley. would love to chat. email is best way to reach me.

[TheSquad]

@PBF

Would like to point out, that Ping! (although it is the most known because it was the first one to do it)
Isn't what we could call a real messenger.
It is using Push notification to work, it doesn't connect to any server, it only goes fetching message when you receive a push notification.
You don't have push notification, you are screwed !
It doesn't have half of the work the other editors did, by making a protocol, connecting to server, opening socket, etc...
You should try, remove all push notification of Ping! send yourself a message, you will never receive it. Put push notification back, send yourself a message and TADA, it works....
Since Push notification isn't 100% reliable, I really don't think a software should rely on it, further more when the software is open.

@Everyone else
It seems that the only editor willing to export it's messenger on other platform is pMessenger, I think the android and blackberry beta is out there, not sure.

[E3BK]

iMessenger
Status: Unreleased
Price:
Link:
Website: www.imessengerapp.com
Developer: iMessengerApp (http://forums.macrumors.com/member.php?u=369014)

from Twitter @imessengerapp:

@THE_MAD_HATTA We have made just one version that is free and enabled in-app purchase for removal of ads/to send mms. $0.99/$1.99. #iPhone
12:31 AM Dec 6th from Tweetie in reply to THE_MAD_HATTA

iMessenger is now "In Review." This #iPhone app is going to be epic!
6:24 PM Dec 5th from Tweetie

[PBF]

iMessenger is out.

The bad:
- landscape mode is not optional
- chat logs sometimes disappear upon relaunching
- login pop-up with the word "Login..." in it is annoying and unnecessary
- no time stamps
- send button is a tad too small
- no address book integration
- notification sounds are wacky
- no link parsing
- chat bubbles are not copiable

The good:
- check it out for yourself ;)

[atheistpally]

Or they could just make it free!
this

[PinchApp]

Hi All,

Sorry for being late to the party ;)

Just a quick note to introduce our messaging app called Pinch iMessenger.
It's an ultra fast messaging app with location-aware mobile social networking features. It's free to use so you can save on SMS/MMS charges and it works between iPhone™, Android™, Blackberry™ and soon Nokia™/Symbian® phones. Download links for the various platforms are available here http://www.PinchApp.com/dl to get in touch with your friends and family for free.

Some screenshots below:

http://pinchapp.com/downloads/screenshot3.pnghttp://pinchapp.com/downloads/screenshot4.pnghttp://pinchapp.com/downloads/screenshot5.png

Thanks for reading ;)

Pinch Team