iChat on iPhone (Web app)

MacRumors · Jun 15, 2007, 07:24 PM

iPhoneChat is the latest iPhone-aimed web applications that we should expect to come out for Apple's iPhone.

iPhoneChat allows you to log into your iChat/AIM instant messaging account with buddy list support.

Quote:

Use your mouse to flick (drag and release) your buddy list up and down like you're supposed to on the iPhone. Click a buddy to start a conversation. You can open multiple conversations... flick left/right to change conversations.

As an early version, it has some limitations, but does offer an good example of what might be possible with iPhone web-apps.

FF_productions · Jun 15, 2007, 07:27 PM

Cool I just tried it out now.

WestonHarvey1 · Jun 15, 2007, 07:28 PM

Looks like a great way to get your account password stolen.

AHDuke99 · Jun 15, 2007, 07:31 PM

and 10 minute limits .. this is nice, but its ridicules that apple wont allow full apps to be developed for the iphone. i surely hope they do, eventually.

FeralCat · Jun 15, 2007, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WestonHarvey1

Looks like a great way to get your account password stolen.

Exactly. This app should be opensourced so you can throw it on your own server somewhere so that you'd be sure it wasn't being logged or that your account info wasn't being "backed up" for you.

arn · Jun 15, 2007, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FeralCat

Exactly. This app should be opensourced so you can throw it on your own server somewhere so that you'd be sure it wasn't being logged or that your account info wasn't being "backed up" for you.

Source is available

http://www.publictivity.com/iphonechat/iPhoneChat.zip

arn

Ha ze · Jun 15, 2007, 07:38 PM

does anyone have an idea why Apple would want to leave this service off their phone?

arn · Jun 15, 2007, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ha ze

does anyone have an idea why Apple would want to leave this service off their phone?

It's a bit of a battery drain... at least it is on the Treo - to run an AIM chat application.

arn

Ha ze · Jun 15, 2007, 07:42 PM

Hmm... that may be, but it seems that just about everyphone can do this, then again about every phone can MMS message too

WestonHarvey1 · Jun 15, 2007, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FeralCat

Exactly. This app should be opensourced so you can throw it on your own server somewhere so that you'd be sure it wasn't being logged or that your account info wasn't being "backed up" for you.

What would really make this AJAX model more acceptable:

1. Add a "Widgets" area on the iPhone. Let application bookmarks appear as iPhone icons. Open Safari in a full screen mode so the apps run more seamlessly.

2. Offer an easy way to "install" applications to a .Mac account - let it host Ruby on Rails or WebObjects based applications. Then you could install things like this and be assured of security.

graymccarty · Jun 15, 2007, 07:44 PM

any plans to release something similar for MSN?

MukelG · Jun 15, 2007, 07:46 PM

So.. I just throw the entire folder [with the 2 containing folders] onto my webserver and im set?

artalliance · Jun 15, 2007, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ha ze

does anyone have an idea why Apple would want to leave this service off their phone?

just speculation - it might have been a concession to AT&T to force us to use SMS = to buy SMS texts in bulk. Or does SMS come free with the data plan?

quigleybc · Jun 15, 2007, 07:48 PM

and the hits just keep on comin

can't wait to get me an iPhone

WestonHarvey1 · Jun 15, 2007, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MukelG

So.. I just throw the entire folder [with the 2 containing folders] onto my webserver and im set?

You'll need PHP set up too.

MukelG · Jun 15, 2007, 07:49 PM

Ah, ok cool.

darwen · Jun 15, 2007, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by artalliance

just speculation - it might have been a concession to AT&T to force us to use SMS = to buy SMS texts in bulk. Or does SMS come free with the data plan?

The plans have not been released. SMS and DATA are usually two different things though.

joeconvert · Jun 15, 2007, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by artalliance

just speculation - it might have been a concession to AT&T to force us to use SMS = to buy SMS texts in bulk. Or does SMS come free with the data plan?

Doesn't hold water. Cingular is distributing a Windows Mobile app for the Treos that use data.

DoFoT9 · Jun 15, 2007, 08:16 PM

hmm and what about those hu dont have a compatible ichat account?? i.e use hotmail....

RollTide · Jun 15, 2007, 08:18 PM

Sucks that the camera faces away from the user.

Random Ping · Jun 15, 2007, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ha ze

does anyone have an idea why Apple would want to leave this service off their phone?

There was a recent article in the Wall Street Journal that might explain it. It was not about the iPhone but about how the wireless carriers actively block cellphone manufacturers from including features in their phones. Some of the points mentioned in the article:

AT&T blocked RIM from offering mapping software on its BlackBerry; AT&T wanted to charge users for its own map service.
AT&T blocked RIM from including games on its BlackBerry; AT&T forced users to buy it from AT&T's online store.
Sprint Nextel Corp blocked RIM from adding free local search services on its BlackBerry; Sprint already had a local search service that it charged users for.
"Carriers have so far largely refused to sell WiFi phones for mainstream cellphone and smart-phone users" for fear that users would bypass their own networks. (imagine Skype on an iPhone).

After reading this article ("A Fight Over What You Can Do on a Cellphone", June 14), I am not surprised Apple isn't offering an SDK. The wireless carriers generally want to force users to buy applications and services through them.

Random Ping · Jun 15, 2007, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RollTide

Sucks that the camera faces away from the user.

I wonder how much it would cost Apple to include a second lens facing the user but using all the same circuitry (i.e., one camera, two lens)? That way you could use it as a traditional camera or as a video chat service.

DoFoT9 · Jun 15, 2007, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Random Ping

I wonder how much it would cost Apple to include a second lens facing the user but using all the same circuitry (i.e., one camera, two lens)? That way you could use it as a traditional camera or as a video chat service.

or make it so it can slip/turn around. i imagine that would cost a hell of a lot more tho

emerrill · Jun 15, 2007, 08:40 PM

http://meebo.com/

It's not formated for the iPhone (although that shouldn't really matter, zoom away

), but it is a real AJAX AIM/MSN/Yahoo/Jabber/Google/ICQ client.

Rychiar · Jun 15, 2007, 08:41 PM

does this not work for anyone else? i tried to login and the name and password just went away without it logging in at all

Jun 15, 2007, 07:27 PM	#2
FF_productions macrumors 68030 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Mt. Prospect, Illinois	Cool I just tried it out now. __________________ Mac Pro, Quad 2.66, 11 GB ram, 4.5 TB's, 7300GT PowerMac G5 Dual 2.0 1.5 GB 23" Cinema Join The World Community Grid! Also Visit My Site

Jun 15, 2007, 07:28 PM	#3
WestonHarvey1 macrumors regular Join Date: Jan 2007	Uhh... Looks like a great way to get your account password stolen.

Jun 15, 2007, 07:44 PM	#11
graymccarty macrumors member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Toronto, ON	any plans to release something similar for MSN? __________________ graymond

Jun 15, 2007, 07:48 PM	#14
quigleybc macrumors 68030 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Beautiful Vancouver British Columbia, Canada	and the hits just keep on comin can't wait to get me an iPhone __________________ Black Book Black iPhone powermacg5 * iPod touch,nano,shuffle,3g * etc...

Jun 15, 2007, 08:16 PM	#19
DoFoT9 macrumors 601 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: NSW, Australia	hmm and what about those hu dont have a compatible ichat account?? i.e use hotmail.... __________________ MBP CD2.16ghz, 500gb, 2GB Ram, X1600 OC'd, 19" iMac24" 2.8ghz 750gb 4gbram Hackintosh E4600 3GHz 10.5.4 8500GT MozyMac

Jun 15, 2007, 07:31 PM	#4
AHDuke99 macrumors 65816 Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Charleston, SC	and 10 minute limits .. this is nice, but its ridicules that apple wont allow full apps to be developed for the iphone. i surely hope they do, eventually.

Jun 15, 2007, 07:38 PM	#7
Ha ze macrumors regular Join Date: Jul 2006	does anyone have an idea why Apple would want to leave this service off their phone?

Jun 15, 2007, 07:42 PM	#9
Ha ze macrumors regular Join Date: Jul 2006	Hmm... that may be, but it seems that just about everyphone can do this, then again about every phone can MMS message too

Jun 15, 2007, 07:46 PM	#12
MukelG macrumors member Join Date: Feb 2006	So.. I just throw the entire folder [with the 2 containing folders] onto my webserver and im set?

Jun 15, 2007, 07:49 PM	#16
MukelG macrumors member Join Date: Feb 2006	Ah, ok cool.

Jun 15, 2007, 08:18 PM	#20
RollTide macrumors regular Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Alabama	Sucks that the camera faces away from the user. __________________ Peter: Fox has one of those new reality shows at eight, "Fast animals, slow children"

Jun 15, 2007, 08:40 PM	#24
emerrill macrumors member Join Date: Mar 2005	http://meebo.com/ It's not formated for the iPhone (although that shouldn't really matter, zoom away ), but it is a real AJAX AIM/MSN/Yahoo/Jabber/Google/ICQ client.

Jun 15, 2007, 08:41 PM	#25
Rychiar macrumors regular Join Date: May 2006 Location: Waterbury, CT	does this not work for anyone else? i tried to login and the name and password just went away without it logging in at all

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