vB Easy Archive - How to text to AIM buddies

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How to text to AIM buddies - without AIM login
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Posted by: rockee

This question is somewhat subtle, but if you're trying to do this you'll know what I mean.

If I have enabled AIM forwarding on a computer, all AIM messages from a "buddy" will forward to my phone. To respond, I create a message and respond.

Is there any way to txt to a buddy using a "buddyname" that I am not responding to I realize I can login to AIM from the phone, and this will show me all buddies, and I can do this, but also will use a txt message just to see the buddy list. I wanted to avoid this.

Posted by: C DM

Just FYI, the latest version of Mobile IM (at least based on the information VZW has about it on its web site and possibly in GIN as well) just uses airtime for various "administrative" type of functions like singing on, signing off, refreshing the buddy list, etc.--basically only actually sending and/or receiving IMs should use TXT messages, and I guess possibly actions like setting/removing an away message, although those might actually just use airtime now as well, since they are somewhat more "administrative" in nature.

Posted by: rockee

Any idea when this went into effect? I logged in, and logged out about 3 weeks ago and was charged for 2 txt messages.

I'll look on the website.

Posted by: C DM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockee

Any idea when this went into effect? I logged in, and logged out about 3 weeks ago and was charged for 2 txt messages.

I'll look on the website.

It seems like whenever Mobile IM 2.0.1 (or later) was released, although I'm not sure when that has happened. You probably also need to be using that version (later) of Mobile IM as well for that to apply. For more information you can check out http://www.howardforums.com/showpos...98&postcount=20.

Posted by: aadam101

This is what I got from AIM:

AIM: Your message could not be delivered. No AIM user is associated with this channel. Specify a screen name, colon, then message and send to 4654.

Posted by: aadam101

It didn't even work. I got the following message:

AIM:You are not signed on. Your message to XXXXXX could not be delivered.

I'm currently signed in to AIM and I'm not "forwarded" so maybe that is why.

Posted by: rockee

Quote:

Originally Posted by Comrade DM

Unfortunately, this link says the opposite:

"Application Description:
Stay logged into your IM account as long as you like with no airtime charges. Incoming and outgoing Instant Messages, and any functions that you perform (for example, adding a new contact) will be billed as a TXT Message under your calling plan or TXT Messaging plan."

I am trying to avoid having txt message charges when I do administrative functions.

Posted by: rhh621

It depends what version of software you have. A new Mobile IM came out for the RAZR and that uses airtime for administrative tasks. I think only the version of Mobile IM on Motorola phones does this.

Posted by: C DM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockee

Which link is that? Actually, as you can see in the post at http://www.howardforums.com/showpos...98&postcount=20 that I mentioned earlier it's mentioned that it seems that the FAQ pages haven't been updated yet for some reason. Since the information on the Mobile IM application page is probably more recent, considering it deals with a new version of the application, I would probably trust that at this point. However, you can easily call VZW and/or stop by a VZW store and ask them about it pointing out the differences in the information they provided on their web site.

Posted by: hypercooljake

Try doing the Check for Update option inside Mobile IM. I know the new version is out for the enV. Mine came with the version, I got mine at the beginning of the month. I have tested and it does use minutes for administrative tasks.

Posted by: LeonS

Either way, this should solve your problem:

keep 1 incoming message from EACH buddy in your inbox. Don't delete them: when you want to IM that buddy, use the "Reply" function from that buddies saved message.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockee

This question is somewhat subtle, but if you're trying to do this you'll know what I mean.

If I have enabled AIM forwarding on a computer, all AIM messages from a "buddy" will forward to my phone. To respond, I create a message and respond.

Is there any way to txt to a buddy using a "buddyname" that I am not responding to I realize I can login to AIM from the phone, and this will show me all buddies, and I can do this, but also will use a txt message just to see the buddy list. I wanted to avoid this.

Posted by: aadam101

That doesn't work. The short number you text to seems to expire at some point.

Posted by: rockee

Quote:

Originally Posted by hypercooljake

Try doing the Check for Update option inside Mobile IM. I know the new version is out for the enV. Mine came with the version, I got mine at the beginning of the month. I have tested and it does use minutes for administrative tasks.

The version I have is 2.0.1.15. I logged on and logged off and no messages were added in myreceived/sent, so hopefully if message additions aren't delayed, there are no messages added for these.

How do you "Check for Update" - where is that option?

Posted by: rockee

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeonS

Either way, this should solve your problem:

keep 1 incoming message from EACH buddy in your inbox. Don't delete them: when you want to IM that buddy, use the "Reply" function from that buddies saved message.

These are not "persistent" IM addresses - they just last for that IM session - according to what I have read - they can be reassigned. So, using them could mean no response - or worse, responding to the wrong person.

Posted by: b0mbrman

Is this not something that using ebuddy might solve?

Posted by: C DM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockee

Go to Get It Now, select (just highlight it) Mobile IM, go to Options, and chose Upgrade Check.

Quote:

Originally Posted by b0mbrman

Is this not something that using ebuddy might solve?

I think using eBuddy is a whole different story--it's basically a WAP IM web site so you need to use Mobile Web for that and you need to constantly stay signed on to Mobile Web to keep receiving messages and to be able to reply to them. eBuddy's functionality isn't really all that smooth compared to the regular Mobile IM and it doesn't nearly have all of the same features. Granted, you don't use up your messages, but you do use up airtime (unless you have V CAST VPak) and you have to keep your phone open and on Mobile Web to use eBuddy continuously.

Posted by: Angela627

Is the only way to see new IMs with eBuddy to click RELOAD constantly? Because that is annoying.

if only Meebo would start a Mobile section...

Posted by: C DM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angela627

Is the only way to see new IMs with eBuddy to click RELOAD constantly? Because that is annoying.

if only Meebo would start a Mobile section...

In the settings, you could set it up to auto-refresh (which happens every 30 or 60 seconds I believe). It only works when you are on the main buddy list screen though, but that's OK since it shows you who sent you a new message and when you go to read it you'll still have all the previous history (at least from within that mobile web session) there as if you didn't leave that screen.

On the other hand, you can't close the phone or do something else on it in the meantime really since you have to have the mobile web session running, so there's certainly that limitation/"annoyance" (among others) when it comes to WAP IM sites.