On the point of user numbers - I would expect this "iPhone BBM" to be based on jabber (like iChat), and presumably you'd be "BBMing" everyone with iPhones, GTalk, iChat and so forth.
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Will there ever be BBM type messaging for the iPhone?
- Thread starter Mr. Giver '94
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I genuinely think that anyone who still says there's no need for a BBM like application for their iPhone has their head so far up their own arse, and is so adamant in stating that the iPhone is a 'perfect jesus phone' that they are failing to see where Apple could improve.
I take your point on board that we should encourage less barriers to communication on different platforms, however BBM is free. Even when abroad. My colleague is currently abroad in America, his friends are in the UK - he BBMs all his other friends for free and they BBM him back. I can't see why you would argue about a service like this.
How about you carry on and pay for texts to other iPhone users, and the rest of us get them free?
I take your point on board that we should encourage less barriers to communication on different platforms, however BBM is free. Even when abroad. My colleague is currently abroad in America, his friends are in the UK - he BBMs all his other friends for free and they BBM him back. I can't see why you would argue about a service like this.
How about you carry on and pay for texts to other iPhone users, and the rest of us get them free?
Few people, if any, are arguing about "free" messages. While BBM has some (other) definite advantages, "free" really isn't one of them. While the apps themselves aren't free, it is "free" to IM people all over the world.
I'm not sure how less barriers to communication and free are at odds with each other. Heck, it worked for email, which at one point in its history included, for many, per-minute charges for dialup users.
Okay...most won't. Its definitely a strict no-no at my job, they've written their own internal IM client.
You can't compare BBM to traditional IM systems. To talk to someone on MSN/AIM you both have to be consciously logged into the system. BBM is always-on. There's nothing to load up or log into. You can only compare BBM to texting, in which case the advantages of BBM have been detailed. My thoughts are that, while I love BBM and it has its place on BBs, it is unnecessary for iPhones because iPhone-iPhone communication is already easy to do because of the iPhone's threaded texting. But other advantages like free international messages and read receipts may make it worthwhile.
SMS has a provision for read receipts (or was it delivery receipts) but I don't think AT&Ts network supports it.
I understand, but is this really that big a deal? The push-enabled IM app that I use (IM+) takes maybe 4-5 seconds to startup and autologin (1-2 seconds if I've connected recently). The SMS app takes maybe a second. Is this difference really that big? I have push enabled for up to 30 minutes after I quit IM+, but I can configure that to be as long as 3 days. With push, it's almost the same as SMS.
Well, while BBM itself may not be necessary, some of the BBM features would certainly be useful. For me, the biggest would be encryption. However, I don't think it's likely that we'll see any of these features in an Apple app, but perhaps the IM apps will add some.
Well, in an IM client, the person you're sending a message to must be signed on to receive a message (also, they must have a Username/Account).
If Apple implements a built-in app made for the iPhone, using iPhone servers (which is why Apple will limit it to iPhone users, cost), it will allow great communication.
I still don't get why people would be against this? It makes me feel that people don't know what BlackBerry Messaging.
If you think free instant texting to other iPhone users, knowing if someone read your text (to make sure they got it) on the iPhone is pointless - what exactly are you afraid of???
SMS is great - but free Apple implemented messaging (with no need to create a username, download a third party App, making sure you're signed on) would be AMAZING.
Really? Cuz I know with YM, you can text messages to someone not logged in and they will get them the next time they log in.
Annoyed
So I wrote a post awhile back in this thread and I still feel the same way. I absolutely loved my bbm. For someone to say iPhone users don't need this because we have SMS/ Im apps means they most likely never used it or at least not to it's potential. Obviously bb has done something right! Like I said I miss it all the time and sometimes I want to switch back. It's not elitist to only be able to communicate to iPhone users WTF! Lol that was the craziest thing I read on here! If u don't believe the bbm hype find a bb user and ask them. I know every bb owner I know loooooves it! When I introduced it to new users they raved about it for days. Bbm is lovable lol!!!
So I wrote a post awhile back in this thread and I still feel the same way. I absolutely loved my bbm. For someone to say iPhone users don't need this because we have SMS/ Im apps means they most likely never used it or at least not to it's potential. Obviously bb has done something right! Like I said I miss it all the time and sometimes I want to switch back. It's not elitist to only be able to communicate to iPhone users WTF! Lol that was the craziest thing I read on here! If u don't believe the bbm hype find a bb user and ask them. I know every bb owner I know loooooves it! When I introduced it to new users they raved about it for days. Bbm is lovable lol!!!
Is signing up for a free account that big a deal?
Note that, with push, people will still get messages, even though the iPhone is suspended. Automatic signons take but a few seconds. Yeah, you do have to buy an app, and install and configure it, but that's neither expensive nor hard. Once set up, it's a lot like SMS. Messages bounce back and forth, and you don't have to be running the IM app. The iPhone could be suspended, or you could be playing a game. You'll still get the messages.
Now, is it as good as BBM? No, probably not, but it does give you a lot of the functionality. Yes, this still isn't good enough for some people, but it's good enough for many.
Given the recent Apple/AT&T allegations, it appears that they're trying to kill free messaging. I don't think Apple will make an app like that (but I'd really love to be wrong
). Take a look at it from another standpoint: it appears that more smartphone users are switching to iPhones than Blackberries. If so, Apple has even less reason to make a BBM-like app.It's not that people are against this. I think it's that people don't really think that it's as necessary or as important as other features. I'd rather see Apple fix the mail app, than provide an iPhone-only app that many people can't access (the beauty of IM and SMS is that you don't need an iPhone -- a PC, mac, or other phone can be used).
On the other hand, it does make sense for Apple to produce an app that unifies email, SMS, and IM. There certainly appears to be enough desire for such. However, I have absolutely no clue as to where such an app would be on Apple's list of priorities. (My guess would be: not very high.) A 3rd-party app like that would probably sell very well, if Apple didn't appear to be so liberal with the banhammer.
I would have loved to see if Apple launched an iPhone version of iChat that allowed iPhone users to text each other the same as BBM how many people would have praised Apple for it.
Fanboys will be fanboys
Fanboys will be fanboys
Just because you don't think it's necessary doesn't mean that it shouldn't be included. Obviously you have never used BBM and would have no use for it on the iPhone but others do.
It just remind me of ranting in general over here. Some people on this forum might as well and just go up to Steve Jobs and lick his balls..
http://itunes.com/app/whatsapp
we just added chat and app went live today. it is exactly like BBM but for iphone. in fact, it is even better since there is no PIN to exchange. will update itunes app store description and screen shots later.
we just added chat and app went live today. it is exactly like BBM but for iphone. in fact, it is even better since there is no PIN to exchange. will update itunes app store description and screen shots later.
