Aim

Zak Reiter · **Aim** - July 14th, 2008, 06:33 PM #1

AOL’s app solution is quite the feat. Using iPhone’s WiFi and 3G/EDGE capabilities, users can sign in anywhere and talk to multiple friends on the same interface, without iPhone skipping a beat.

The interface is obvious and really quite great. What instantly struck me is that users can just tap through buddy lists, in and out with no problem. The four bottom options are straightforward, and cannot be changed.

Buddy List is easy enough to catch onto. It starts off in your main Groups, and has the option to just see all the online users. It’s convenient and pretty solid, allowing you to view pretty much every variable. A downside to the buddy list is that even though you can assign screen names to your address book, and have them correctly tagged in iChat, et cetera, AIM for iPhone doesn’t push those names. Users can only see the normal screen names, and for now that cannot be edited.

Favorites is interesting enough. Exactly the same as in your Contacts, you can choose main friends that are in one list, easily accessible and quickly displayed. It’s handy if you have a main crew that you’re always talking to. Also, my favorites section... Well, I can’t actually edit it. I’m sure there’s an update coming, but for now I’ve got no real clue as to why that portion is there.

My Info allows you to change your online status, and your message. As well as these ways to edit your status, you can also edit your profile image by taking a photo or choosing an existing photo. These options can be found by clicking the current image.

There’s even a button for your active IM conversations, and you can edit and create new ones with the tap of a finger. My favorite part of viewing active IMs is that you can easily switch between ‘windows’ by flicking the screen to the right or left, or tapping the small glowing circles in the middle of the screen.

A downside to the buddy list is that even though you can assign screen names to your address book, and have them correctly tagged in iChat, et cetera, AIM for iPhone doesn’t push those names. Users can only see the normal screen names, and for now that cannot be edited.

All in all, it’s a pretty solid app. The contacts all show up, and if a new contact IMs you while you’re on your phone, that contact is saved in your ‘Recent Buddies’ list in other AIM clients.

kellygeorge · **Free SMS** - July 14th, 2008, 07:22 PM #2

the best part is that you can get away with not paying for SMS anymore. you can send IM's to phone numbers, and they receive them as text messages. when they reply, it come right to your AIM.

Kevin Dunahee · July 16th, 2008, 12:00 AM #3

Quote:

Originally Posted by kellygeorge

the best part is that you can get away with not paying for SMS anymore. you can send IM's to phone numbers, and they receive them as text messages. when they reply, it come right to your AIM.

Yeah that is good. But how does some underprivileged non-iPhone owners text an iPhone without SMS? Can they text the AIM account somehow? I'm confused as usual.

ijoe13 · July 16th, 2008, 12:29 AM #4

Quote:

Originally Posted by Superman

Yeah that is good. But how does some underprivileged non-iPhone owners text an iPhone without SMS? Can they text the AIM account somehow? I'm confused as usual.

I'm kind of confused as well. So if I log onto my AIM account on my iPhone, then send a text to a friend's plain-jane mobile phone, the text will show up as coming from who? My AIM user name, or my cell number? I assume it will show the message as coming from my user name. So when the person sends me a text back, they will be sending it to my user name?

Can someone provide some screen shots?

Joe

Kevin Dunahee · July 16th, 2008, 12:33 AM #5

Well that much I understand. You can always sign the text "From Joe" or something to make sure.

I just don't get how the plain-jane phone sends an initial text to the AIM account.

ijoe13 · July 16th, 2008, 12:38 AM #6

Quote:

Originally Posted by Superman

I just don't get how the plain-jane phone sends an initial text to the AIM account.

That's the part I'm confused about as well.

LLewis · **Aim** - July 25th, 2008, 11:10 AM #7

Just installed AIM into new iPhone. Works quite well.
Sent message to another cell phone # using 1xxxxxxxxxx format.
Response came back as the users cell phone #, not IM (buddy list) name.

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Zak Reiter Forum Ninja Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Killanoise! Posts: 144 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Aim - July 14th, 2008, 06:33 PM #1
	<script language="JavaScript" src="http://adserver1.backbeatmedia.com/servlet/ajrotator/13894/222/viewJScript?pool=13886&type=3158&pos=20&zone=5000"></script> AOL’s app solution is quite the feat. Using iPhone’s WiFi and 3G/EDGE capabilities, users can sign in anywhere and talk to multiple friends on the same interface, without iPhone skipping a beat. The interface is obvious and really quite great. What instantly struck me is that users can just tap through buddy lists, in and out with no problem. The four bottom options are straightforward, and cannot be changed. Buddy List is easy enough to catch onto. It starts off in your main Groups, and has the option to just see all the online users. It’s convenient and pretty solid, allowing you to view pretty much every variable. A downside to the buddy list is that even though you can assign screen names to your address book, and have them correctly tagged in iChat, et cetera, AIM for iPhone doesn’t push those names. Users can only see the normal screen names, and for now that cannot be edited. Favorites is interesting enough. Exactly the same as in your Contacts, you can choose main friends that are in one list, easily accessible and quickly displayed. It’s handy if you have a main crew that you’re always talking to. Also, my favorites section... Well, I can’t actually edit it. I’m sure there’s an update coming, but for now I’ve got no real clue as to why that portion is there. My Info allows you to change your online status, and your message. As well as these ways to edit your status, you can also edit your profile image by taking a photo or choosing an existing photo. These options can be found by clicking the current image. There’s even a button for your active IM conversations, and you can edit and create new ones with the tap of a finger. My favorite part of viewing active IMs is that you can easily switch between ‘windows’ by flicking the screen to the right or left, or tapping the small glowing circles in the middle of the screen. A downside to the buddy list is that even though you can assign screen names to your address book, and have them correctly tagged in iChat, et cetera, AIM for iPhone doesn’t push those names. Users can only see the normal screen names, and for now that cannot be edited. All in all, it’s a pretty solid app. The contacts all show up, and if a new contact IMs you while you’re on your phone, that contact is saved in your ‘Recent Buddies’ list in other AIM clients.

kellygeorge Rocks the Board Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 178 Thanks: 2 Thanked 13 Times in 13 Posts	Free SMS - July 14th, 2008, 07:22 PM #2
	the best part is that you can get away with not paying for SMS anymore. you can send IM's to phone numbers, and they receive them as text messages. when they reply, it come right to your AIM.

Kevin Dunahee iPhone 3G Winner Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Metropolis Posts: 507 Thanks: 6 Thanked 19 Times in 18 Posts	July 16th, 2008, 12:33 AM #5
	Well that much I understand. You can always sign the text "From Joe" or something to make sure. I just don't get how the plain-jane phone sends an initial text to the AIM account.

LLewis Forum Lurker Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 1 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Aim - July 25th, 2008, 11:10 AM #7
	Just installed AIM into new iPhone. Works quite well. Sent message to another cell phone # using 1xxxxxxxxxx format. Response came back as the users cell phone #, not IM (buddy list) name.