I think it's only superior because it is free.
Because iPhone SMS side by side with BBM is no contest. BBM looks like a chatroom out of 1997 and iPhone SMS looks like iChat.
I think it's only superior because it is free.
What is superior about BBM to iPhone's SMS, aside from needing a text plan?
I haven't used it, nor seen it. But everything I've ever seen on a BlackBerry has the UI of a 1990 nintendo game, so I can't imagine it looks better than iPhone's SMS. Further, with iPhone SMS the message is instant and it keeps track of your conversations.
If you're telling me that an ugly UI slapped on top of a proprietary BlackBerry to BlackBerry texting service which tells you when the other person is typing and gives you message status updates is what BBM essentially is, then I have to wonder why I keep reading idiotic threads where people are bemoaning the lack of a BBM analogue on the iPhone.
Those are really the two only things BBM has over iPhone SMS?
LOL, I don't want the other person to know I read their message while I am ignoring them.
haha thats why im not adding that
LOL, I don't want the other person to know I read their message while I am ignoring them.
So i'm late to the party, but this is not real right? Would be cool if it's done right though, aka FREE and simple.
1. Use a blackberry for a month. 2. Come back to this thread. 3. Try again at actually make an educated response.
It's obvious you've never used the service.
It should be obvious, since I stated it twice. Good work.
Why don't you explain what it is that makes BBM so far superior a texting service than iPhone's SMS instead of showing everyone how you can't read?
I'm not being a smart ass. I genuinely want to know. I don't own a BlackBerry and don't plan on it, but I'm curious why there is such a mass clamoring for a similar service.
why would something done right be free?
I already have on numerous other threads but I'll save you time searching...
Because being on an IM messenger or SMSing is completely different. To chat with someone on AIM, GChat, Yahoo etc., the user has to be knowingly logged into the service on their phone and has to make sure they remain logged in. What's great about BBM is that any user who has a Blackberry is ALWAYS logged in and you can ALWAYS communicate with them this way. It also tells the person who sent a message if it was received and if it was read by the user! The messages are also sent over the data network instead of using an SMS plan (faster/cheaper/and can also send over wifi if you don't have service). You are also able to do group conversations and it's easier to IM from a buddy list then to have to search your contacts every time. Anyone who says to use an IM client or SMS as an alternative simply hasn't used BBM b/c it's definitely not a substitute. In fact, the #1 reason most of my friends won't switch to an iPhone is b/c it lacks BBM.
Why are you comparing BBM to AIM and GChat when I'm not? I'm comparing it to iPhone SMS.
How is this "always on" any different from iPhone texting? Your "buddy list" is your contacts. You don't have to be "logged in" or wonder if anyone else is logged in.
So yes, what you said is that the only advantages BBM has is that you don't need a texting plan, you know when the other person is typing, you can read the status of your messages, and that you can send messages over wifi (provided you have a BB that has a wifi card.)
I agree, I would like free texting from AT&T. But BBM doesn't have so much else over iPhone SMS to warrant all of these stupid threads, it seems. I mean, really. Message status? See when the other person is typing?
Yawn.
BBM is free. Why would I pay for yet another messaging svc?
iPhone SMS > BBM any day of the week.
The ONLY reason most of my friends won't switch to the iPhone from their Blackberries is b/c of BBM. Anyone who says SMS or IM clients are the same thing simply hasn't used it (or hasn't had any friends who used it). A program like this would be a HUGE asset for Apple but I agree that it should run in the background.
Something to think about for the next gen iPhone.
What is superior about BBM to iPhone's SMS, aside from needing a text plan?
I think it's only superior because it is free.