Need an IM app

[uber_shnitz]

Hi,

I'm looking for an IM app for my Desire Z, but I'd like one where there's no "signed in from mobile device" or "IM app for Android" message in your status.

Is there an IM app(free or paid) that can do this? If so, what do you guys use and why?

Thanks

 

[BookLover]

eBuddy did this. I liked it a lot, very easy to use.

Then installed imo.im, but actually haven't used it yet...so don't know how it shows status. But it's supposed to be "push" so should be better on your battery.

 

[RyanB]

I just use Gtalk. It's imbedded in the OS, is accessible from the desktop, is free, and most other mobile devices (non android) can access it in some form. To be honest, I'm not sure why other Android users don't use it more, but maybe it's just me.

 

[OfTheDamned]

Imo has the option to turn that on and off from what I have read.

 

[glockjs]

imo.im does have the option to turn that off as stated above..it's the lightest and easiest on the battery that i've found.

trillian is also in beta and works well...not a 100% if you can turn that off but it's a great program as well.

those are the best two that i've found.

 

[uber_shnitz]

I forgot to ask...are there any of the IM apps that can send IMs via text messaging(by linking a cell phone number to the IM contact) like WLM does? I don't have many texts on my plan and this feature of WLM was always useful to me.

 

[OfTheDamned]

I forgot to ask...are there any of the IM apps that can send IMs via text messaging(by linking a cell phone number to the IM contact) like WLM does? I don't have many texts on my plan and this feature of WLM was always useful to me.

Ok, let me see if I understand you. You don't have have many text on your plan, but you want an IM app that uses them up? Or are you looking for a way to use text messaging over data so that you don't have to use your text?

If it is the second, then I would suggest Google Voice for txt as it will send text over data and your regular text messaging won't be used at all. If you are using an IM app that uses text then majority of the time it will work both ways and eat into your text plan as well.

 

[uber_shnitz]

I'm looking for a way to message my mobile IM contacts without using texts yes; if I can manage to reach these mobile contacts using either data or wifi(if I'm connected to a network) then that'd be perfect.

Could you list me these few IM apps that would send texts even if they'd use up my texts? It's nice to have alternatives

 

[cloakster]

Ok, let me see if I understand you. You don't have have many text on your plan, but you want an IM app that uses them up? Or are you looking for a way to use text messaging over data so that you don't have to use your text?

If it is the second, then I would suggest Google Voice for txt as it will send text over data and your regular text messaging won't be used at all. If you are using an IM app that uses text then majority of the time it will work both ways and eat into your text plan as well.

I was also looking for something like this since i was used to previously using BBM for all my texting, but sadly Google Voice is only open to the US so is there any other alternative?

 

[OfTheDamned]

I'm looking for a way to message my mobile IM contacts without using texts yes; if I can manage to reach these mobile contacts using either data or wifi(if I'm connected to a network) then that'd be perfect.

Could you list me these few IM apps that would send texts even if they'd use up my texts? It's nice to have alternatives

I was also looking for something like this since i was used to previously using BBM for all my texting, but sadly Google Voice is only open to the US so is there any other alternative?

That is actually a hard one. Some of the carrier designated IM apps, like the one that comes from Verizon, are reported to use sms to send messages, but they are still sending AIM to AIM or MSN to MSN. I have not seen anything that does AIM, Gtalk or MSN to SMS.

There are options for "free" texting though. I would really read through these before using them though. I've only given each a sideways glance.

TextPlus
Kik Messanger
Free SMS
TextNow

If you are missing BBM then you may want to look at this thread.

 

[BookLover]

I'm looking for a way to message my mobile IM contacts without using texts yes; if I can manage to reach these mobile contacts using either data or wifi(if I'm connected to a network) then that'd be perfect.

Could you list me these few IM apps that would send texts even if they'd use up my texts? It's nice to have alternatives

I think you may be confused with what eBuddy and imo.im does.

Both these apps *incorporate* your existing IM logins into their "consolidated" app, so that instead of logging into AIM, then logging into WLN (MSN), or GTalk separately, you log into IMO.IM which houses all your different IM services and allows you to receive AND send messages from one app. IMO.IM and eBuddy are "conduits" for your existing IM logins, they don't "replace" them.

What this means is that if you use AIM and have entered your Buddy's cell number into AIM, you can now AIM to that buddy's cell number through imo.im or eBuddy. You'are using AIM but through the imo.im or eBiuddy conduit.

I would suggest that instead of asking all these questions, just download IMO.IM, add your account logins (AIM, SKYPE, GTALK, WLN, etc) into the interface and try to use it. All your existing contacts in those IM services will put into imo.im. Easier for you to see for yourself than for me to explain.

Don't be afraid!! If you don't like it, you can uninstall it. If you don't understand it you can ask specific questions. But truly, it's pretty intuitive once you install and add your IM account logins.

Good luck!

 

[BookLover]

Ok, let me see if I understand you. You don't have have many text on your plan, but you want an IM app that uses them up? Or are you looking for a way to use text messaging over data so that you don't have to use your text?

If it is the second, then I would suggest Google Voice for txt as it will send text over data and your regular text messaging won't be used at all. If you are using an IM app that uses text then majority of the time it will work both ways and eat into your text plan as well.

Not sure if you know this...But if you add a friend's cell number into your AIM buddy list, for example, format is +1xxxyyyzzzz -- You can then use AIM to "text" to them. They receive your IM as a "text" message and when they reply, they are sending a text BUT *you* receive their reply as data through your AIM. This assumes you use a data IM service (like on your computer or eBuddy or imo.im type apps on your phone).

 

[uber_shnitz]

That's basically what I want: to send IM messages as texts/SMS to my friends. Seeing as my actual phone plan is cheap on texts/SMS(let alone long distance/cross country ones), sending texts/SMS through IM programs on my computer(such as WLM and AIM) was a good solution to reach my friends when they're not online without me actually using SMS.

I just wanted to know if I could have a similar feature available on my mobile phone or if IM apps/conduits on phones were limited to "IM to IM" as opposed to "IM to SMS"?

 

[PinkMirrorKirby]

Will WhatsApp or KiK Messenger work for you?

 

[BookLover]

That's basically what I want: to send IM messages as texts/SMS to my friends. Seeing as my actual phone plan is cheap on texts/SMS(let alone long distance/cross country ones), sending texts/SMS through IM programs on my computer(such as WLM and AIM) was a good solution to reach my friends when they're not online without me actually using SMS.

I just wanted to know if I could have a similar feature available on my mobile phone or if IM apps/conduits on phones were limited to "IM to IM" as opposed to "IM to SMS"?

Yes, imo.im and eBuddy will let you do that as they utilize your exisitng logins and buddy lists.

 

[imtoomuch]

Trillian is a great app, but I am not sure if it has the option you are requesting.

 

[OfTheDamned]

Not sure if you know this...But if you add a friend's cell number into your AIM buddy list, for example, format is 1xxxyyyzzzz -- You can then use AIM to "text" to them. They receive your IM as a "text" message and when they reply, they are sending a text BUT *you* receive their reply as data through your AIM. This assumes you use a data IM service (like on your computer or eBuddy or imo.im type apps on your phone).

Very interesting. I had no idea that you could do that. I may have to play around with it.

 

[BookLover]

Doesn't work for GV # s since GV doesn't support email gateways. Works with carrier numbers beautifully.

 

[cobra46]

I just installed eBuddy but can't figure out how to add a buddy. Can anyone shed some light on this?

 

[XikkeN]

Try Trillian

 

[BookLover]

I uninstalled eBuddy when I installed imo.im. I never added buddies via ebuddy, but thru AIM Express. Once I signed in to ebuddy, it sync'd my AIM buddy list.

If you use imo.im instead, you can add buddies directly in there. I just tried that last night.

 

[positivespectrum]

I would recommend Kik - but have a look at Message Universe | Find the Best Instant Messenger for an up to date list for comparison and download links.

 

[cubewalker]

is the idea similar to pingchat or whatsapp in iphone?

 

[Thunderbolt]

I am a long time blackberry user who used bb im and yahoo messenger to avoid sms messages. When I got my HTC Thunderbolt, I used the Mobile IM app to sign into yahoo messenger from there as it was preloaded on my homepage. This actually uses SMS text messages even when chatting with someone on a PC. This is not made clear at all and I went way over my monthly total. I would strongly suggest never using Mobile IM as there is not reason to use up SMS messages unless you have unlimited text messages. Verizon sucks for not making this clear and were not friendly when I complained.

 

[AngryHatter]

I am a long time blackberry user who used bb im and yahoo messenger to avoid sms messages. When I got my HTC Thunderbolt, I used the Mobile IM app to sign into yahoo messenger from there as it was preloaded on my homepage. This actually uses SMS text messages even when chatting with someone on a PC. This is not made clear at all and I went way over my monthly total. I would strongly suggest never using Mobile IM as there is not reason to use up SMS messages unless you have unlimited text messages. Verizon sucks for not making this clear and were not friendly when I complained.

Is it Mobile IM or the Yahoo Messenger that used the texting?
I use Trillian for an IM and incur no texting charges.
And that is talking on MSN/Yahoo/ICQ simultaneously.