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

[PBF]

WhatsApp

Status: Released
Price: $0.99
Link: www.appshopper.com/social-networking/whatsapp
Website: www.whatsapp.com
Developer: Jan Koum

Ping!

Status: Released
Price: $0.99
Link: www.appshopper.com/social-networking/ping-4
Website: www.pingmessaging.com
Developer: Gary Fung

Blipr

Status: Released
Price: $0.99
Link: www.appshopper.com/entertainment/blipr
Website: www.return7.com
Developer: Amro Mousa & Andrew Conner

BuzzMe!

Status: Released
Price: Free
Link: www.appshopper.com/social-networking/buzzme
Website: www.zimmelus.com/apps/BuzzMe.html
Developer: Michael Zimmermann

pMessenger

Status: Released
Price: $0.99
Link: http://www.appshopper.com/social-net...nger-with-push
Website: www.pmessenger.net
Developer: fedj

iPM

Status: Released
Price: $0.99
Link: www.appshopper.com/social-networking/ipm-2
Website: http://web.me.com/ipm4iphone
Developer: SAG3194

MessageNow

Status: Released
Price: Free
Link: www.appshopper.com/social-networking/messagenow
Website: www.enflick.com
Developer: Derek Ting

Flow Messenger

Status: Released
Price: Free
Link: http://www.appshopper.com/social-net...flow-messenger
Website: www.flowmessenger.com
Developer: Vincent Young

iMessenger
Status: Unreleased
Price:
Link:
Website: www.imessengerapp.com
Developer: iMessengerApp

[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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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

[PBF]

Originally Posted by nburwell

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

[sidewinder]

Originally Posted by PBF

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]

Originally Posted by sidewinder

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]

Originally Posted by return7

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]

Originally Posted by 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

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]

Originally Posted by PBF

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.

[sidewinder]

Originally Posted by PBF

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]

Originally Posted by bozzykid

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]

Originally Posted by sidewinder

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]

Originally Posted by PBF

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]

Originally Posted by 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...

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]

Originally Posted by bozzykid

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]

Originally Posted by samcraig

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]

Originally Posted by lostprophet894

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]

Originally Posted by samcraig

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]

Originally Posted by lostprophet894

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.