IM
From TreoCentral
Contents |
Overview
Instant messaging is a service that lends itself naturally to the Treo, given it's constant network connection and full QWERTY keyboard. If you were hoping to extend your chat habit to your Treo, there are various methods for doing so.
Full Fledged IM Apps
These applications run much like the application on your desktop does, providing varying levels of functionality. At the bare minimum, you will have a buddy list and will be able to send and receive instant messages. More mature apps will give you features you are use to, such as away messaging, picture and other file sending and receiving, and so forth.
For Palm
For Windows Mobile
Probably many more. If you use a Windows Treo, please help fill in this section.
App Descriptions
Verichat
Verichat is a relatively mature IM application made by PDAapps (now part of Intellisync Corporation). It offers features such as file transfer, running in the background, chat logging, SMS mode, and more. Verichat supports Yahoo, ICQ, MSN, and AOL chat networks. On Nov. 29, 2006, PDAApps announced they would no longer be selling Verichat.
Causerie
Causerie offers SMS mode, running in the background, file transfer, chat logging, and more. Causerie supports Yahoo, ICQ, MSN, AOL, Jabber (Non-SSL), and Google Talk with their commercial version. Their Enterprise version supports Lotus IM, Microsoft LCS, SIP, Reuters LCS and Jabber (SSL).
Chatopus
Chatopus offers SMS support, running in the background, text to speech, chat history, realtime RSS, and more. Chatopus supports Yahoo, ICQ, MSN, AOL, Jabber, Google Talk, GaduGadu, and Sametime chat networks.
Mundu
Mundu offers features such as running in the background, and more. Mundu supports Yahoo, ICQ, MSN, AOL, and their own proprietary Mundu chat service.
Toccer
Toccer is a simple messenger application made specificly for the Treo. It's greatest single feature is that it is FREE. It offers support for running in the background, and more. Toccer supports the AOL chat network only.
IM+
IM+ offers support for running in the background, chat history, and more. IM+ supports Yahoo, ICQ, MSN, AOL, Jabber, and Google Talk chat networks.
Web Based Messaging
Sprint offers a free web based chat interface for Yahoo, MSN and AOL chat networks. Go to http://vision.sprintpcs.com on your native Treo browser. Click on Messaging and then Instant Messaging.
This method is relatively difficult to navigate, and with limited features. The advantage is that it's simple, free, and always available to you even after a hard reset.
Other carriers may offer similar services.
AIM's Native SMS Support
AOL's implementation of IM over SMS allows you to receive near instant notification of instant messages, as well as the ability to respond through SMS. This feature offers unique advantages because it utilizes a system all ready implemented on your phone. There is no software to purchase to load onto your Treo. Because of this, it provides very simple and efficient communication through your Treo's SMS app.
Linked to your Screen Name
From your PC, navigate to http://mymobile.aol.com/portal/index.html and register your screen name and your cell phone number. Doing so will give you various functionalities, such as registering for alerts, IM forwarding to SMS, and more. You can configure it so that when you go Away on AIM, your IMs automatically are forwarded to your cell phone via SMS. You will receive an SMS containing the message, and you will be able to respond just as easily.
Independant of your Screen Name
On your PC, open your buddy list and add a new buddy. For the screen name, type "+1" and your full 10 digit phone number (for US numbers). For example, "+18005559454" not including the quotation marks. When you, or any of your buddies, send a message to this screen name, it will be sent as an SMS to your cell phone. You will be able to reply just as easily.
To initiate an IM from your cell phone, simply compose a text message to 265010. In the message body, insert your buddy's screen name followed by a colon, followed by your message. Your buddy will receive an instant message from your phone number (in the format described above) and will be able to reply normally.
I find this functionality very useful day to day. I often use it to transmit web links and other text quickly to my Treo, instead of going through the hassle of various other methods. I only have to copy the text, double click on my cell phone's screen name, paste it into the IM, and hit send. A few seconds later I click on the (automatically hyperlinked) text in my Treo and I am viewing the web page.
For more information on AOL's SMS codes, checkout this forum post. Normal text messaging fees apply. These features are not guaranteed to work for all carriers.
