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You don't like iMessage because you don't get it. [iMessage FAQ]
- Thread starter FSMBP
- Start date
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After reading numerous posts/comments, it seems that people who are against iMessage are the ones who don't understand it.
What does it do?
It's built into your iOS's Messaging app (the same one you already send Texts in). When you go to text someone, iOS 5 will automatically detect if that person is using an iOS 5 device & send it as an iMessage. If they aren't using iOS 5, it just sends it as a Text automatically. The End-user does NOTHING different that what you do today.
What are the benefits of iMessage versus just Texting?
-iMessages don't count against texting plans
-iMessages will tell you if your message is delivered (and Read, which is optional)
-There is no character limit, unlike the 160 characters in SMS
-iMessages use data (ex. 1KB), so you iMessage people internationally cheaper than SMS
-iMessage works on iPod touch, iPad
-Group Messaging
-iMessage works on Edge & 3G & Wifi (Good for us AT&T users with no reception)
What's the difference between iMessage & WhatsApp or Kik?
-To use WhatsApp or Kik, the other user has to have the those Apps. iMessage is built in.
-You use one app for SMS/iMessage, versus using WhatsApp and SMS/iMessage
-It's free (unlike WhatsApp)
-WhatsApp & Kik work on Android/iOS/Other platforms, iMessage is only for iOS 5 Devices
-With WhatsApp, you'll have messages scattered across WhatsApp and between your default Messages app.
-iMessages works on iPod touch/iPads. WhatsApp does not work on iPod touches/Wifi iPads
The Key here is: you do NOTHING different than you're currently doing to send an iMessage/Text; iOS picks the best option (iMessage being the best since all the benefits I listed above).
Why wouldn't you use iMessage?
-The only reason I can think of is this, you're traveling internationally & data is more expensive than international texting.
It makes no sense not to use iMessage. You can still use WhatsApp or Kik for Android/WP7 users but it makes no sense not to take advantage of iMessage too.
In summary: Apple automatically sends your texts are iMessages when possible (which is good since it's cheaper & has a lot of benefits.) People will be sending iMessages & not even know it (people who are oblivious that is).
Feel free to discuss or point out things I've missed.
Thanks.
iMessage is great. It just needs time to gain popularity.
I agree with most of your points, but for the point of iMessage vs Whatsapp, as for now, you need to upgrade the whole OS for iMessage vs you just need to download a freaking free (at the moment) app at the app store. The former is exponentially difficult for a novice user while the latter is really easy, even a child can do that.
You also don't get cross platform compatibility. I can use Whatsapp to chat with nearly 200 out of my 400 contacts regardless of what phone they are using as long as they are using an iPhone (all iPhones I guess, not only the ones that supports iOS5) or Android (top notch or dirt cheap ones).
The only downside with iMessages that I've found is that picture messages count against your data cap (if you have one - I do).
If you already have unlimited texting but have a data cap, then you might have wished there was an option to receive picture messages via MMS, not iMessage.
If you already have unlimited texting but have a data cap, then you might have wished there was an option to receive picture messages via MMS, not iMessage.
Maybe I missed the sarcasm train this morning but I'm not the one complaining that I had to get out of bed to see who sent me a message.
iMessage has different utility for different people - I'm happy we're not all the same.
iMessage would have been much better had AT&T not nixed their non-unlimited text plans. Of course they knew it was coming so they had to grub up as much money as they can.
I was originally their 250 text $5 plan but over the summer switched to the 1000 text $10 plan. But now half of my friends have iPhones and iMessage so I would have been fine on the $5 plan, but instead I am now wasting $5 a month. At least they don't force you to upgrade to the unlimited.
But I like the blue bubbles in iMessage better than the old SMS green ones
I was originally their 250 text $5 plan but over the summer switched to the 1000 text $10 plan. But now half of my friends have iPhones and iMessage so I would have been fine on the $5 plan, but instead I am now wasting $5 a month. At least they don't force you to upgrade to the unlimited.
But I like the blue bubbles in iMessage better than the old SMS green ones
I have edge and it does not work for me. It will say "not delivered" however, when I turn my wifi on, it works perfectly.
Is there something I'm missing in my settings?
I'm not sure if this is correct, that's why i'm asking all of you out there.
I live outside the US, and I have heard that every time I activate iMessage (flick the switch in settings), it will send an international text to the US (apple i guess) to activate the service. I won't even be able to notice that it sent the message. Haven't received my phone bill yet, gonna check.
I live outside the US, and I have heard that every time I activate iMessage (flick the switch in settings), it will send an international text to the US (apple i guess) to activate the service. I won't even be able to notice that it sent the message. Haven't received my phone bill yet, gonna check.
iMessage would have been much better had AT&T not nixed their non-unlimited text plans. Of course they knew it was coming so they had to grub up as much money as they can.
I was originally their 250 text $5 plan but over the summer switched to the 1000 text $10 plan. But now half of my friends have iPhones and iMessage so I would have been fine on the $5 plan, but instead I am now wasting $5 a month. At least they don't force you to upgrade to the unlimited.
But I like the blue bubbles in iMessage better than the old SMS green ones
See, I find it amazing people are that low. Even with iMessage, Google Talk (IM+), and Facebook Messenger - which gets far more usage than SMS - I went over 8000 SMS last month...
i need a little help here regarding imessage and facetime!! my fiance has iphone 4 and i have iphone 4s!! i updated her iPhone to 5.0 with my sim in it and now the imessage shows my number and facetime cant be activated with her sim!! when i insert my sim then imessage and facetime works fine!! i have even tried restoring it but of no help! can anyone help me to setup her imessage? the thing is this that in her iPhone my number is greyed out under imessages and it shows error!! what can be done?
People wanted a BBM type messaging app.
That would be a different thing from iMessage, which attempts to take over the SMS app, doesn't do a very good job of it, and can either ruin SMS or be turned off entirely so you can't use it on the odd occassions it would be useful.
If it was a seperate app as people had asked for it would be more useful.
Phazer
If I write to someone who has an iPhone on iOS5 and it sends as a Text Message I usually have to resend my message via whatsapp ! Why I have no idea but they either don't get my message or it's 24-48 hours late ?
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How do you see If the person who you are texting has read your message? I see the option to send a notification to the person your text that you've read there message but thats it.
How do you see If the person who you are texting has read your message? I see the option to send a notification to the person your text that you've read there message but thats it.
Seriously, if you have the option for them to see if YOU read it, who hasthe option to change if they are reading...god this generation is clueless.
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You should automatically be able too see if they read your messages or not, not for them to have the option of reading the message you sent them
MacHunter420 said:
You should automatically be able too see if they read your messages or not, not for them to have the option of reading the message you sent them
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Me and the person in Imessaging option on to see if the other person read the iMessage but I don't notice anything different, what do I look for?
Me and the person in Imessaging option on to see if the other person read the iMessage but I don't notice anything different, what do I look for?
Thanks for the writeup - does it put an extra drain on the battery with the service toggled to On?
What happens to me is that iMessages don't come in if I'm on a call. Im on Sprint so you cant do internet/call at the same time, but what people claim is that if a message is undeliverable then it will automatically be redirected through carrier SMS. But so far this has NEVER happened and the senders texts claim "delivered" even though I have not yet received it since I'm on the phone.
I'm not sure what your original question was, but here's my answer.
Did you check the settings in SETTINGS>MESSAGES. First, of course, iMessage has to be on. The "Receive At" option should say 2, depending. First is your phone number and second is your AppleID. After that, go back to SETTINGS and go to FACETIME and scroll to the bottom to where it says "Caller ID" the number/ID here should match the one in the "Receive At".
Now, if you gave her phone after purchasing a new subsidized iPhone 4S or just your SIM card, that's something totally different. As soon as you activate your new phone with the SIM card it came with, the old SIM card will deactivate and not connect to AT&T. SIM cards are married to you and AT&Ts network.
the thing is this that both the fones are factory unlocked!! i upgraded her iPhone to 5.0 and activated it with my sim in it!! and after that she started using it with her sim in it!! i put my sim in 4s and activated it!! now when her sim is in iPhone 4! the facetime caller id shows my Number and it says ERROR! and same goes to iMessage!! that is what i want to know my number is greyed out in here!! how can i edit or change my number to her number?