Filed under: iPod Family, iPhone, App Store
Today Twenty08 released a new instant messaging client for the iPhone/iPod touch. MobileChat (iTunes Link) allows you to connect to multiple IM services, including: 
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Jayden said 9:28PM on 8-12-2008
Has anybody purchases this app yet? I would really like to know how well it performs as there aren't any reviews in App Store yet..
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Bassir said 9:29PM on 8-12-2008
Any reason I should pay three bucks for this when AIM is free?
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Edd said 9:39PM on 8-12-2008
Because not all people only use AIM. And this looks like it works better than the AIM iPhone app.
I will, however, not buy it until I can get some feedback. :D
Michael said 9:52PM on 8-12-2008
Because I use MSN Messenger more than AIM since nobody outside USA using AIM
Eli R. said 10:29PM on 8-12-2008
Get Palringo, all you have to do is make a free account at the website and then you have to download the FREE app, don't pay for this
oshawapilot said 10:51PM on 8-12-2008
ALL other IM programs (including Palringo!) do NOT do what this application does. Clearly people are not understanding what a quantum leap this program is so far as IM clients go.
This program keeps your IM accounts connected. All the time. Even when the application is closed. It will eventually support push, and has a temporary solution to it in the meantime.
Comparing it to any other IM programs out there is simply apples and oranges! Take a second to understand the program and what it does!
oshawapilot said 9:36PM on 8-12-2008
FINALLY - an IM application that supports server side connection management so that it always stays online for people to message me. I can't tell you how frustrating it has been not having some sort of basic "always on" IM application on my iPhone after having grown accustomed to it on my Hiptop/Sidekick for many years previous.
Once the push feature arrives so that it'll even notify me (if I have the app closed) this will be a dream come true.
Sold! I'm installing it now.
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Andy said 9:41PM on 8-12-2008
It does have push support of sorts right now, you can set it to send you an email or text if you receive a message.
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oshawapilot said 10:00PM on 8-12-2008
Be advised that the "temporary" push solution (SMS or Email alert) only works with AIM, ICQ and .Mac as per an alert I just got on the program while setting up my Gchat account.
Alex said 9:44PM on 8-12-2008
I have purchased this. I suggest people who need it to work flawlessly, immediately, to give it a point release or two to get the bugs straightened out. I'm not sure how many are you server-side-related and how many are bugs with the app itself, but it seems like a troublesome little bugger as of right now.
For example, you can see any IM's in landscape mode--only the field itself and the keyboard. Photo sending doesn't work yet. Buddies do not go away when you're registered as offline. The list goes on.
Give them a week or so though, I have a good feeling about this app. =]
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Brian said 9:47PM on 8-12-2008
I installed the app but have yet to successfully connect to any of the IM services. I keep getting error messages stating that it fails to connec to the MobileChat server. Granted, the developer has plastered 'mea culpa' messages throughout their website and even when you launch the app.
I'll give them their requested 48-72 hours and see if it gets any better. It's got a lot of promise (according to the screenshots, at least) and that's worth $2.99 at this point.
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oshawapilot said 9:52PM on 8-12-2008
If you take a look at the blog listed in the initial welcome message it appears that their servers have been overwhelmed by the demand for the app - I'm sure that there's tens (hundreds?) of thousands of people just like me who have been waiting for this sort of application FOREVER, and based upon the blog entries they underestimated the demand. The do advise that help (more hardware) is on the way though.
It looks like a great app, and the "almost push" SMS/Email solution (until real push comes along) is an excellent idea.
I too am having trouble connecting, but I'm sure it's because of the huge onrush of new members.
For anyone who needs this to work flawlessly, right now, I too would give it a while before expecting perfection, but this seems like a great little company who is going to do wonders for IM'ing on the iPHone.
gdd said 9:47PM on 8-12-2008
So when are we FINALLY going to see an IRC client??
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oshawapilot said 10:02PM on 8-12-2008
Jailbreak. iPhone IRC clients have been around for ages. I wouldn't hold your breath waiting for one to appear in the Appstore.
zdiddy said 9:49PM on 8-12-2008
Will push work only with .mac account, or would it push if all I had was a windows live (MSN Messenger) account?
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oshawapilot said 9:55PM on 8-12-2008
It's all handled on their (overloaded, at the moment) servers and works with any IM client the program handles. Currently since there is no actual push option available the program supports "simulated" push via SMS or email - the next best thing until Apple throws the switch on true push support.
oshawapilot said 10:04PM on 8-12-2008
Correction, the simulated push (email/SMS alert) only works with AIM, ICQ, and .Mac at this point in time.
It goes to say that the "real" push option (once Apple enables the behind-the-scenes framework) will support all IM clients once that time arrives.
Jon said 9:52PM on 8-12-2008
why not palringo?
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oshawapilot said 9:54PM on 8-12-2008
Simple - no server side connection management to maintain your connection when the app is closed.
Same goes for the AOL client, and just about every IM client I've used (including a wide variety of Jailbreak apps) to date.
Push and constant conectivity is a quantum-leap in IM'ing on the iPhone platform. Nobody else has it at this point.
brian papa said 9:59PM on 8-12-2008
I'm waiting for an AIM client that uses the names stored in my contacts list a la iChat. I have no idea who "fuzion45291" is so I'd rather see their name instead.
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