Can iMessage replace traditional text messaging?

- RMalayeri

Posted by RMalayeri on Jun 10, 2011 in iMessage, iOS 5, WWDC 2011 | 11 comments

Apple announced iMessage at WWDC 2011; a game changing feature of iOS 5, that could potentially cost mobile carriers a fair amount of lost text messaging revenue.

With iMessage, we’ve created a new messaging service for all iOS 5 users. You can send unlimited text messages via Wi-Fi or 3G from your iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch to anyone with one of those devices. iMessage is built into the Messages app, so you can send text, photos, videos, locations, and contacts. Keep everyone in the loop with group messaging. Track your messages with delivery receipts and optional read receipts, see when someone’s typing, and enjoy secure encryption for text messages. Even start a conversation on one of your iOS devices and pick up where you left off on another.

With so many awesome features in iMessage, are you going to need a hefty text messaging plan anymore? Weigh in with your thoughts in the comments below.

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RMalayeri

iMessage has so many cool features that make it so easy and convenient for the end user. I’d much rather use a service/app that’s easy to use and costs less, than to pay for higher priced MMS/SMS services that limit my usage and hurt my wallet. With iMessage I can easily send a text, add a photo, video, and even a contact. The best part is that I can have it sync across all of my mobile devices. I doubt that mobile carriers care too much about making messaging more affordable, accesible, and convenient for end users, and with iMessage, we can finally cut down or even eliminate our dependence on high priced text messaging plans. I personally pay AT&T $30 a month for unlimited texting for my iPhone family plan, but I highly doubt that I use enough of their data to justify the cost. I’m pretty sure that most of my friends and family will be on iOS 5, or will have some sort of iDevice in the not so distant future. It’s a safe bet that iMessage will have a big impact on the way that most people use and pay for traditional text messaging. I’m not sure if it can completely replace our dependence on carrier texting, but I know that it could save us some real $$$ if we cut back on carrier plans, and supplement them with iMessage.
http://www.iosappadvice.com LaurentLogan

iMessage is going to be huge…it’s the first mobile OS to take mobile messaging beyond the smartphone without having to connect to an IM service. Now iPod touches as well as iPads become viable communication devices just as the iPhone has always been. Usage is going to soar thanks to the seamless integration within the well known messages app. Cutting down on your texting bill is directly proportional to how good an iPhone salesman you are to your friends and family…So get on that!!!
Ryley

I can tell you this much. I HATE the slide to reply from lock screen. Very cumbersome to use! I hope they improve on that in the GM release.

RMalayeri

Thanks for your input Ryley! I agree with you about the usability of the notification alerts. I’m just glad that they are finally commited to revamping the whole notifaction system in iOS 5. Hopefully things will continue to get more refined as we approach the Gm release. I’ve always looked to the jailbreak scene for the innovation in UI for iOS. I’m sure you’ve heard about Apple incorporating many of the Cydia apps into iOS 5. Peter Hajas made mobile notifier, and Wi-Fi Sync was also in Cydia long before iOS 5. My guess is that the jailbreak scene will do Apple’s work for them, and develop some amazing mods to the cumbersome parts of iOS 5, and we’ll eventually see them in the official updates. Untill then its jailbreaking FTW

Thanks again for your comment!

Reza

Dan

I am thinking about getting IOS 5 for Iphone and I currently text alot. Will I still need a texting plan ($30 ATT) to text non IOS 5 users, or will I be good with just the data once I have imessage?

RMalayeri

Hi Dan

Unfortunately iMessage will only work between iOS 5 enabled devices. You would need to use either a data plan, or another type of messaging app from the app store. There are quite a few that can replicate iMessage functionality, but again, both devices would have to be running the same app.

I hope that answers your question, and thanks for stopping by our forum.

Reza

ryan

Hey rmalayer you are right about imessage being for only ios5 but when it comes to texting non ios5 users apps like text free can text any one who is on a texting plan. The phone you are texting doesn’t need to have the same app like you said in your comment above.

RMalayeri

Thanks for the correction Ryan it’s always nice to hear from the community about things that I may have missed. Let me know if you are interested in writing a guest post about the topic. I’d be glad to share it with the community. Just use the contact form on our main site: http://www.iosappadvice.com/contact

Cheers

Reza

Jonathan_radin

Now that it is out and running it is important for folks to realize that if iMessage can’t connect for what ever reason as has happened to me it will automatically send the message as a traditional txt with all the related charges. I believe there is a setting in message that will prevent this from happening. I am still not sure if that will prevent you from sending traditional txts at all but I will keep you posted.

http://www.rmalayeri.com RMalayeri

Thanks for the great observation Jonathan! Most users are just getting familiar with iMessage and ios 5, and likely don’t know about the nuances of iMessage or even ios for that matter. Thanks for sharing and informing the community

Reza