Clam shell phones that use some sort of Aim "client" is really just a stupid SMS bridge.
THe one on the iPhone is a real data app.
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So, does using AIM count as an SMS or Data?
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Clam shell phones that use some sort of Aim "client" is really just a stupid SMS bridge.
THe one on the iPhone is a real data app.
As always with these things do assume that it updates in real time.
Also messaging is sometimes supported with a zero balance but it just catches up after you refill.
I'm suspect that even if it's using a DATA connection to send the message that either AOL's servers or the App itself will message AT&T to reduce the subscribers message quota by one.
AT&T is not going to blindly stand by and allow DATA to canabolize their SMS revenue.
Also messaging is sometimes supported with a zero balance but it just catches up after you refill.
I'm suspect that even if it's using a DATA connection to send the message that either AOL's servers or the App itself will message AT&T to reduce the subscribers message quota by one.
AT&T is not going to blindly stand by and allow DATA to canabolize their SMS revenue.
Why not? Aren't we already paying $30 for the data plan? If IM becomes the norm in the future ATT will just up the cost of the data plans.
It doesn't take a brain surgeon to figure out it is data.
If it was SMS and you closed the app, you would get an SMS notification. You don't. The description also just mentions data as what it uses, as I had stated before.
If it was SMS and you closed the app, you would get an SMS notification. You don't. The description also just mentions data as what it uses, as I had stated before.
Well you do have to take in consideration that some of these phones out there that have IM already on them are counted as text. I was a verizon customer and I know that they counted their IM applications as text.
My hope is that since this is 3rd party IM it wont have any direct ties to ATT so that they can't monitor it has text.
Hope this helps...
From http://daol.aol.com/software/mac/iphone/aim/faq (found through App Store AIM Support link and then the FAQ)
From http://daol.aol.com/software/mac/iphone/aim/faq (found through App Store AIM Support link and then the FAQ)
WOW some ppl are really DUMB!!!
IF IT DID CHARGE as TEXT MESSAGE.. it wouldn't be available for the iPod Touch! IT USES 3G, EDGE, WiFI, what more proof do you need. People at AT&T dont' know jack SH*T. IT USES DATA... can we move along now please? THANKS!
IF IT DID CHARGE as TEXT MESSAGE.. it wouldn't be available for the iPod Touch! IT USES 3G, EDGE, WiFI, what more proof do you need. People at AT&T dont' know jack SH*T. IT USES DATA... can we move along now please? THANKS!
You are aware that their are some IM apps out their that are directly connected to the phone provider meaning they can regulate IM as text right??
This is very good news to me as im sure it is to many others on this forum.
YES, like the Razor and such.. iPhone is different... i use to have a pocket pc phone that i used my wifi and data for IM.. so i know a bit bout those stuff
if you use AIM you can type in the persons phone number and it will send them an SMS for free. Never be charged for using your SMS messages again 
AIM for iPhone
Hello Everyone,
I'm the AOL Mac Product Lead and wanted to make sure everyone had the best information.
First, AIM for iPhone DOES NOT use SMS for messaging. It uses the AIM servers at AOL.
You CAN send an AIM message to a SMS account in the U.S. by formatting the IM to: +13335551212 - You will not be charged an SMS message from AIM but the recipient may be charged an SMS when receiving (this is subject to the recipient's mobile plan).
Thanks...
Lee Givens
AOL Mac Product Lead
Hello Everyone,
I'm the AOL Mac Product Lead and wanted to make sure everyone had the best information.
First, AIM for iPhone DOES NOT use SMS for messaging. It uses the AIM servers at AOL.
You CAN send an AIM message to a SMS account in the U.S. by formatting the IM to: +13335551212 - You will not be charged an SMS message from AIM but the recipient may be charged an SMS when receiving (this is subject to the recipient's mobile plan).
Thanks...
Lee Givens
AOL Mac Product Lead
Edit: ^^^ he beat me to it.
Why is it still unclear?
My picture says:
Yes, that part is not what we're talking about.
"Text messages are treated the same as normal IM messages and are included as part of your device's data plan."
So SMS and normal IMs are treated the same.
Therefore, if normal IMs are part of the data plan, then so are SMS. If SMS is included as part of the data plan, then so are normal IMs.
Why is it still unclear?
My picture says:
Yes, that part is not what we're talking about.
"Text messages are treated the same as normal IM messages and are included as part of your device's data plan."
So SMS and normal IMs are treated the same.
Therefore, if normal IMs are part of the data plan, then so are SMS. If SMS is included as part of the data plan, then so are normal IMs.
AIM will not count against AT&T AIM SMS
Hello Everyone,
Just wanted to emphasize. The AOL AIM app for iPhone does not have any back-end connection to AT&T's SMS and sending an AIM message to any other user on the AIM network will not count against your SMS allotment.
You can send 1 billion (or less, depending on how tired your fingers are) IMs to other AIM/iChat users on the on the AOL network and not be charged for a single SMS message. Stop by the Mac@AOL Blog for more information on AOL's Mac and iPhone products.
thanks...
Lee Givens
AOL Mac Product Lead
http://macblog.aol.com
Hello Everyone,
Just wanted to emphasize. The AOL AIM app for iPhone does not have any back-end connection to AT&T's SMS and sending an AIM message to any other user on the AIM network will not count against your SMS allotment.
You can send 1 billion (or less, depending on how tired your fingers are) IMs to other AIM/iChat users on the on the AOL network and not be charged for a single SMS message. Stop by the Mac@AOL Blog for more information on AOL's Mac and iPhone products.
thanks...
Lee Givens
AOL Mac Product Lead
http://macblog.aol.com
That is just how aim works. You can Instant Message a cell phone here in the United States, but won't work in all countries. As people before you said it is still data because it goes through the server, like you can send a Text (SMS) to a mobile phone using ichat.
Hi! I think what people are most confused is: AT&T's losing bandwidth or whatever. If you can send as many SMS from AIM, then who's paying for the bandwidth? Is it AOL that's paying? Or does AT&T not mind?
Hey Marksman,
When you initiate an IM session with an SMS-capable phone, on the AIM side, it looks just like a standard IM session. On the SMS side, it looks just like a standard SMS session. The AIM network handles the SMS gateway and it just works.
For all those new to the forum, IM sessions between AIM for iPhone and AIM/iChat users on desktops or iPhones will never get charged for SMS messages. If you send a +12223334444 (Mobile SMS gateway) buddy, the SMS side of the conversation may incur SMS charges.
Thanks...
Lee Givens
AOL Mac Product Lead
http://macblog.aol.com
AOL iPhone Apps
Really? So do you think that maybe, just maybe that you might know a little bit more than people who haven't used those types of phones before?
CHILL OUT
Lee, thanks for answering out questions!
A small off-topic question: is it possible for us to send feedback on the app?
A small off-topic question: is it possible for us to send feedback on the app?
Hey Lee! glad to see AOL taking so much interest in community
I have couple of questions - which countries besides USA have this service also? more specifically :
1) to which countries I can send SMS using your service? (free of charge/ATT charges)
2) from which countries I can receive message in iPhone AIM app, which originated as SMS? (if corresponding countries/abilities for this two scenarios differ)