Filed under: iPhone, App Store, iPod touch
First Looks: BeeJive for iPhone
BeeJive has had an instant messenger application for the iPhone in the form of a Web App for quite some time -- in fact, it was one of the best! Recently, BeeJive has ventured into the world of native iPhone applications. I already mentioned most of the features of BeeJive in a previous post, so this time I'll examine the main features."Push" notifications of new IMs
The BeeJive developers are proud to offer 24/7 connectivity, meaning you can receive IMs even if the app is closed. They accomplish this feat by connecting you through their servers and sending you updates through email if you receive an IM while the application is closed. This works well, as long as you have a push email account.
Landscape view
You can send IMs in landscape mode using the larger iPhone keyboard, which is nice, but it would be nicer to initiate landscape mode from any tab, not just chat.
Bottom Line
BeeJive has created an application that is very polished and refined. You are able to customize almost every aspect in the iPhone's Settings (from background color, to turning on/off vibration). This kind of customization really allows the user to connect with the software -- it would be nice to see this amount of customization in other iPhone apps.
However, this application is a little pricey at $15.99 (US). You can download BeeJiveIM from the iTunes App Store [link]. Be sure to take a look at our gallery of screenshots.
Gallery: First Look: BeeJive for iPhone
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
KomputarGuy said 10:19AM on 9-30-2008
After not wanting to spend $16 on this app initially, I decided to go for it and I've got to say it was worth the money, it works great and I am sure they will continue to add features and support their software.
I know a lot of people were hesitant to spend the money on this app, and all I've got to say is anyone that does any moderate to heavy IM'ing on their iPhone it's really worth the price.
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TD said 10:24AM on 9-30-2008
Does it actually stay connected, or is its MobileChat's definition of always connected?
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Brian said 11:32AM on 9-30-2008
It is similar to Mobilechat with one key difference - this one actually works :)
In all seriousness though, it does a great job of keeping you logged in (via their servers) and loading up anything you missed since you last had it open. Push email does work well for when you don't have it open.
No, it's not a cheap app, but in my mind good software is worth paying for, and this is certainly worth the price.
Gunnar Falk said 10:37AM on 9-30-2008
Didn't you report on this just yesterday?
And it's not worth $16. No option to blend out offline contacts nor is there the Facebook protocol.
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Gunnar Falk said 10:48AM on 9-30-2008
I have to correct myself: Yeah, in the settings you can disable to show offline contacts.
I generally don't understand why the settings of some programs are "hidden" in the general settings of the iPhone. Some programs do that, some don't. You're never sure where you'll find the settings. I think it would make more sense to have the settings option in the program itself, so one doesn't have to navigate a long way to get to them. Of course, such a button could clutter the UI of a program, but it would be more logical.
adfio said 10:39AM on 9-30-2008
Why would you need this if you have push email...wouldn't you just use your email...?
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Bootes said 12:26PM on 9-30-2008
Because not everyone you're trying to talk to has push email, and even if they do they might not be checking their email constantly.
XIV said 10:49AM on 9-30-2008
If it was less then, let's say, 6 bucks, I'd buy it. And no, it's not that I'm a "cheap bastard" like some other guy said. I just don't use IM that much! I'm not an heavy user since I only use it on the bus for short distences between two computers.
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agk said 10:57AM on 9-30-2008
so "push email" means, mobileme, exchange, or yahoo? because most other blogs i've read (iphoneblog for example) are reporting that you need mobileme or exchange to have the "offline-but-sorta-online" functionality without mentioning yahoo push.
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Bootes said 12:40PM on 9-30-2008
Their emails are getting delayed using Yahoo for some reason. Set up a Gmail account that instantly forwards to Yahoo should work though.
I wouldn't want the IM updates cluttering up my main email account anyways.
Brian said 4:27PM on 9-30-2008
Technically any email address works to receive notifications of IM's received when you don't have the app open. Obviously not all email addresses give you 'push' on the iPhone. But you can set it up to email you at any address and you will get it whenever your phone next checks for mail.
Even if you don't set up an email for notifications, the application still keeps you signed on via their server set-up based on the session timeout settings you specify in the general iPhone settings area.
stainboy said 11:24AM on 9-30-2008
i think what people are missing in the cost of this app is that it's providing a service...there's not just a software application involved. the company also is providing servers to manage your IM accounts when you're not online and push you email notifications. running those systems isn't free, people. an alternative is to charge you a monthly fee...instead, BeeJive is opting to give you a higher, one-time cost which would be less in the long run for you, the end user.
another option would be to go to an advertising model...and frankly i'd rather pay the $15 than have ads served up with my chats.
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Big John said 11:46AM on 9-30-2008
$16? I don't need multi-client IM functionality that bad.
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justin said 12:46PM on 9-30-2008
This "coolness" of this app will not be as great once background notifications become universal on the iPhone. You won't need to pay 16 bucks to be connected 24/7.
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TD said 1:27PM on 9-30-2008
You will though, because either way it would still have to go through their servers to maintain the connection. When push notifications are finally released by Apple, then BeeJive would talk to Apple's server to inform you of a new message, but the 24/7 connection is being maintained on BeeJive's server.
Aztec said 12:49PM on 9-30-2008
I want this app, but I am unwilling to pay $16 for this iPhone app. Even EA charges 9.99 for their most expensive video games. This developer put no where near the amount of resources spent on Spore, Real Soccer 09, Star Wars the force unleashed, or Super Monkey Ball. This person is crazy if he thinks he's going to make a ton of money off of this relatively simple application. I'll buy it when it "goes on sale", but i'll pay no where near $16.
Whats sad is that the developer made the chatter on their app be about the price and not the features or how well it works. This is so sad.
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Jonathan Chan said 1:33PM on 9-30-2008
i think they're going to do fine. Read the comments so far and the ratings and those are from "buyers." It's just one of those apps that is worth it to some people and not worth it to others. Their Blackberry app costs more than this and people swear by it. From their history it appears that this is a company that constantly updates their product to keep making improvements.
McFly said 1:05PM on 9-30-2008
Meebo.com is a free webapp. You can sign into AIM, MSN, Yahoo! Chat and Google Talk. It supports the widescreen keyboard. If you have mobile forwarding enabled with AIM, people can IM you when you aren't on, and the messages will come to you as a text message to your phone.
Sure, there are some compromises involved with this approach, but it will also save you $16. Really, that's about $10 too expensive in my opinion.
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Jonathan Chan said 1:28PM on 9-30-2008
im very happy w/ this app, i used the webapp up until this time and have 0 problem investing $16 into this product. I'll definitely get my moneys worth out of it. As an ex Sidekick user, IM is something that is important to me.
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NutMac said 1:39PM on 9-30-2008
At $16, I think I will just wait for AIM and Yahoo! oneConnect to add push notification support (I don't use MSN all that much).
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