3.0b2 hints that native iChat is coming!

[AHDuke99]

I don't normally go and make assumptions like this, but after playing around with the newly installed 3.0 beta 2 yesterday, I noticed something that leads me to believe that a native iChat/AIM client is coming in future builds on 3.0.

Why?

If you look at your contact lists page now, it lists and gives you the option to add an AIM screename onto their card. As of now, nothing happens when you tap on their screename, but in the future, I would assume it would open up the iChat client. I still believe it will be integrated into the messages app in some fashion, so your SMS, MMS, and IM messages will all be in one place.

 

[exhibit.b]

This is nothing new. I had it on 2.0

 

[Pared]

This is nothing new. I had it on 2.0

Really? It's not in 2.2.1. I just looked.

 

[AHDuke99]

This is nothing new. I had it on 2.0

I'm sorry, but I never had this on my 2.2.1 software. The only place where I could view AIM names was on the AIM software from the appstore. I'm now able to add instant message handles in the phone contacts application, which I was never able to do before.

 

[drakeshipway]

I don't have this on my iPhone.. So it's deff new with 3.0

..Hmmm

 

[mikey28]

Actually,
you pull up a contact: edit: scroll down to "add new instant messag"; tap that and the choice comes up to add an AIM screen name.

This option is only available if you have already added an email addy for that contact.

 

[Mikey B]

Really? I'm pretty sure that I've always been able to add IM info to my contacts, even in the 1.x days.

 

[vega07]

Actually,
you pull up a contact: edit: scroll down to "add new instant messag"; tap that and the choice comes up to add an AIM screen name.

This option is only available if you have already added an email addy for that contact.

I don't see this.

 

[jmccullough108]

I can't add a new aim screen name to my contacts.

 

[Masquerade]

yap its here new in 3.0b2. Also the field "Name phonetics" and "Surname phonetics".
Not sure why!
Maybe voice recognition or better, or an alert system that announces who is trying to call when listen to music through headphones.

 

[lorenwade]

To sum up the confusion:

Technically, the ability to add the SN is there. You can add and create any field you want.

However, an Apple-originated function to add an SN and seamlessly work with software was not there.

 

[ZunePod]

There could be a front facing camera on the new iPhone?

 

[skwoytek]

yap its here new in 3.0b2. Also the field "Name phonetics" and "Surname phonetics".
Not sure why!
Maybe voice recognition or better, or an alert system that announces who is trying to call when listen to music through headphones.

Yep, I'd think phonetics would be an inbound thing for pronunciation...

But phonetics were also in 2.2.1. I don't see the "add new instant message" in my 2.2.1 though and it is in my 3.0.b2. It also filled this field from the contacts on my Mac for several users. It's clearly a button but does nothing at this point.

 

[AHDuke99]

The only other possible reasoning would be that the SDK allows third party IM clients to launch when that button is tapped in the contacts menu.

 

[The Governor]

There could be a front facing camera on the new iPhone?

That my friend has been a rumor before the announcement of the 3G. But.....you never know....