vB Easy Archive - Which PDA/ smart phone is the best for Instant Messaging?

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Which PDA/ smart phone is the best for Instant Messaging?
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Posted by: charlie09

Im a huge fan of IM's and I really want a cingular PDA or smart phone just as long as it has a keyboard and I wanted to know which one was the best for instant messaging, Meaning which one is the closest to the real thing. The sidekick 3s IM is amazing I want to have one like that.

AND Im already on a family plan. So, If I get a PDA phone Do I HAVE to get a Data Plan if Im not going to be using the internet..I mean I will eventually but not right now. So If I have unlimited text messaging /im etc will that still work for the PDA phone?

Posted by: suthurnlatino

Your best bet is the Blackjack as it is the only PDA/3G device that you can stiill get the rebate by just getting the unlimited Messaging plan.

The 8125/8525 are great for texting but they don't have a default IM client (this may change I believe but the rebate will still probably need you to get the PDA plan)

Posted by: RF9

Does the Blackjack IM program use SMS to send/recieve IMs or does it use data?

Posted by: tdawgmd

Disagree about the BJ--while it's pretty functional, I didn't care for it's messaging program, and it's keyboard is so-so at best. Either of the treos would be a better bet for someone who does extensive texting. Threaded SMS is much better, and the keyboards are in a different league.

The point about rebates is a good one, and the BJ is much thinner than the treo, so that should be considered prior to purchase.

Posted by: coinstar99

You can download an app like IM+ for the Treo that gives you all the IM Clients, and for the 8125/8525 you can get the Mobile IM app that Cingular has, I think Mobile IM uses text but with unlimited txt now that isn't an issue. IM+ uses data, but it also eats a battery pretty quick. Though both good solutions.

Posted by: suthurnlatino

The reason I didn't point out Treo/8525 because most of the solutions for IM would require a PDA package.

Posted by: blessd24

Quote:

Originally Posted by suthurnlatino

The reason I didn't point out Treo/8525 because most of the solutions for IM would require a PDA package.

Not true, it may act like it is transferring data when running that app but it won't charge you for data. Only text messaging. The mobile IM app just came out for the 8525, which is pretty nice IMO.

Posted by: ASimpleFarmer

any blackberry. period.
ill get off a phone call and bammo back to msging. Virtually no wait. 8125 I had to wait to reconnect and the software for IM's was not that great. treo 750 wasnt bad since its on UMTS (Voice and data), but you cant beat the bb's battery life coupled with the ease of use. I have used the 8125, bj, 8525, treo 750, 8700, 8100, 8800. The 8800 is my fav with that awesome batt life + jive talk

Posted by: RF9

Quote:

Originally Posted by blessd24

Not true, it may act like it is transferring data when running that app but it won't charge you for data. Only text messaging. The mobile IM app just came out for the 8525, which is pretty nice IMO.

I think there was a little confusion. Most IM programs like IM+, Agile and Causerie use Data exclusively, so you'll want an unlimited data plan.

But the Cingular IM client uses text messaging.

The benefit to using the Cingular IM client is:
1) Unlimited text messaging is all you need, you don't have to also pay for data
2) IM+ for example doesn't always reconnect automatically if it gets disconnected.

But if you get unlimited data anyway, then it doesn't matter. Either type of IM program will be an option so long as you also get unlimited text messaging. But if a person doesn't want data and only wants IM, them the cingular IM client with unlimited text messaging might be a good way to go.

I'd personally like to check out this Cingular IM program on my Treo 750 If I could get it.

Posted by: techiegirl

Cingular IM program is on your Treo 750. You just have to download it directly via your phone. One thing I didn't like about it was that the notification message doesn't disappear, even though I have no new IM's, it still says "notification" as if I had a new unread message.

Posted by: RF9

Really? Where do I download it from? I've never found this. Do you download it from the media net site?
I'm settled on IM+ because it works the best of all that I've tried, plus it uses data. But I would like to try this Cingular one. I think it could come in handy sometimes.
That does sound very annoying tha it won't alert you of new IMs. That's kind of the point.

I'm going to go hunting for the download.

Posted by: coinstar99

I have not been able to download the Mobile IM app either via Media Net. I got a copy of it downloaded from the net, and i installed it, I have the same issue though, the Notification doesn't disappear. Its so odd! I don't know if I want to just suffer through with that or continue using IM+. The only thing I don't like about IM+ is that it gobbles battery life.

Posted by: techiegirl

from the phone's browser:

http://device.home
2. mail & messaging
mobile IM

Posted by: monkey28rb

it sucks thoe you dont receive messages, plus the notification on the main screen

Posted by: FallN

Anything with a keyboard is good and one with a static, front keyboard is even better for easier and faster access.

Posted by: RF9

Thanks techiegirl.
That IM app is cute, but it's very limited. One thing I like about IM+ is that I can set a custom status message for "available" like "Available - Mobile on Treo". But the Cingular IM app just has the basics.
Also IM+ has a today screen plug in so you always have IM status right on the today screen.

OK, but not the topic of this thread.

Regarding the orig. question which is which is the best IM phone I have to agree with everyone:
Blackjack
Upcoming Motorola Q9 (looks great by the way)
Upcoming iPhone (I assume will have good IM)
Treo 750 (Palm's proprietary threaded SMS app a bonus.)

All of the above would make a great IM phone with Cingular IM with unlimited messaging, OR an IM program like IM+ with unlmited data. I think they're all just as capable since they essentially all run the same OS

Having said that. The Blackberry (like the Pearl, or 8800) just as good if not better.
I also have a blackberry and IM+ works flawlessly with a Blackberry.
With a BB you have to consider that you need a blackberry plan.

Nokia E62 (Symbian) also runs IM+ as well as others so I don't see why it's any lesser of a choice.

The biggest down side to using a data messenger (like IM+) is that if you lose connection you may have to manually restore it.
Using Cingular IM, the messages will find you when you get back in to service.

Posted by: Jayden0606

I love the blackberry for IM. I used VeriChat for it, which honestly seemed very close to the sidekick3 as I have a sk3 and I'm kind of in the same boat. I hate how on Sprint, I have to keep connecting to Power Vision, whereas on my BB on Cingular, it's always on. Although it's not 3G and can't receive msg on phone, as soon as I get off, it resumes. I'm not sure if the Treo's and 8525s are always connected, especially if it has 3G (750 and 8525)

Posted by: coinstar99

Quote:

Originally Posted by techiegirl

from the phone's browser:

http://device.home
2. mail & messaging
mobile IM

You are really able to download the Mobile IM that way from your Treo? I have been trying for two weeks and everytime I try it tells me that my device is not compatible. Could you send me the cab file that you downloaded, I would really appriciate it....

Posted by: techiegirl

PM me your email address and I'll email it.

Posted by: RF9

Quote:

Originally Posted by coinstar99

Have you modified the User Agent string in the registry in IE? The site uses this to identify what phone you're using.
I couldn't do it because mine was set to look like a Blackjack to make Cingular Video work. As soon as I put it back to the Treo user agent it worked.
You can get the Treo user agen .cab file here a page I posted:
http://www.gadgetech.info/treo/hacks/cingularvideo/

Posted by: coinstar99

The it would be because I have some PIE enhancement app installed, thats probably why it doesn't work. Oh well I have it now, yea I see that Notification thing is super annoying, but it uses less battery that IM+ and I suppose gets the job done I will live with it for now till someone fixes it.

Posted by: coinstar99

I started another thread with this, but I wanted to post here as well to see what others think, I think this could work, if I am wrong let me know.....

So I got an idea and I hope there is someone out there that can help, cause I can't program. Anyone who has used the Mobile IM app from Cingular knows that when its running it leaves the word Notification down assigned to the left soft key and there is no way to close it. My idea is pretty simple I think, I download a cab file that when I am not running the app instead of my left soft key saying email it says SMS and I can click on it and it gives me the option of SMS or Email. Now couldn't someone make a cab file that changes that button a little more that when you are running Mobile IM, that button says Messaging or something and when you click on it, you get the options for IM, SMS, or Email?

I am guessing it would work, let me know, that would be great.

Thanks

Posted by: ceebz

Far and away, blackberry is the best for IM. I've used every other platform and only the Sidekick comes close.

Posted by: coinstar99

I just got an 8525 and it actually does the same thing with the notification down on the bottom left taking over the left softkey. So I am going to guess that it isn't the device its the software. Its still a good app, as it doesn't use battery like other apps. I just wanted to let everyone know I had found it wasn't just the Treo, if any one is interested, my 2 cents and such

Posted by: Sikskillz84

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8700/4.1.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/102)

I say go for the blackberries... I have a blackberry 8700c for cingular and I love the keyboard I personally think its better then my old sidekick 2 keyboard. The program I use for I'm is jivetalk the reason why I like jivetalk is because it runs over data and not sms so you could I'm over data without waisting your text messages. That's a real big plus for me. Also I like the push email on the blackberry its really quick when sending and receiving and also another thing I love about my blackberry phone is the fact that I can download ringtones,wallpapers,and themes right from the phone. If you want to know some more cool stuff or more info just pm me.

Posted by: SymbianBlack

the nokia e62

Posted by: coinstar99

How many people installed the Palm App on their 8525 ? Of those who did does anyone have any issues with it?

Posted by: jhardin1

I like the 8525 the SMS/MMS client works great, it tracks my messages by user and the slick interface notifies me and displays the msg. on the screen and allows me to reply now or later. Since it is a WM device there are many different programs you can download for text and Im's if you don't like the defaut ones.

Posted by: coinstar99

So another question how many people are being driving nuts by the ATT IM app taking over your left soft key? Is there anyway to make it not do that? I thought it was just a Treo thing but I guess not.