Why the iPhone doesn't have chat

[O. Frabjous-Dey]

I've thought about this a little bit, and this by far seems like the most likely reason:

You can't receive calls and use EDGE at the same time. Apple is not really publicizing this, because most of the time it isn't very important: you only pull out the phone to look up directions or search the Internet once in a while.

But people want to leave their chat clients connected all the time. Unfortunately, you can't receive calls if you're logged into chat over EDGE. So it'll always be one or the other: you can either receive an IM, or a call, but not both.

It's simpler for Apple just to eschew iChat this time. Less angry customers, and they'll be able to implement it and sell it as a new feature once 3G is widespread enough in the US to be cost-effective.

 

[pcguru83]

Is this true? You can't receive a call while using EDGE? If so, I had no idea. You may be right on.

 

[FreeState]

Thats a good point. I tend to agree a little. I feel the more likely reason is it was not ready yet and they wanted it to be done right*.

This could be said for to does and some other items as well.

*Notice how Safari was ported over to Windows? My theory is that they will be releasing iChat for Windows as a free download when it becomes available for the phone. The same for iWork (but I think you will have to buy iWork to get the functionality on your iPhone and Windows/Mac machines.)

 

[wongulous]

This is true.

But why can't it keep a socket open while using WiFi, and advise the user when going from WiFi->EDGE (or when just on EDGE) that it has to function by polling an intermediary server via HTTP, a la Meebo/iPhoneChat? I don't see why it couldn't. Or why it couldn't work via text message like some providers do it (combination phone-side Java app and carrier-side AIM->SMS gateway).

I hope they figure something out, because 3G is like 2+ years away for mainstream U.S. usage except in the top 25 cities.

 

[rmapple]

Really?

I was watching Apple Trailers while talking to my friend on the phone

 

[FreeState]

I was watching Apple Trailers while talking to my friend on the phone

You must have been on WiFi then - EDGE doesn't support this.(unless the video had already downloaded before the call)

 

[ydnubm]

You almost have it right...

You CAN still place/receive calls while using EDGE networking. But once you place or receive a call, all EDGE network traffic stops. This does not preclude having a 'chat' application (AIM, MSN, Yahoo, Google) in the slightest. There are countless instant messaging applications available for the Blackberry and Windows Mobile platforms that run just fine on AT&T's EDGE network. You just stop receiving messages while on the phone...

My theory is they simply didn't have i(Phone)Chat ready...

 

[brasscat]

I'm thinking chat wasn't integrated because SMS is a paid service and ATT doesn't want to lose that revenue stream.

This is the same reason why I think you can't customize ring tones. Every cell phone out there has this feature to some degree, but with the iPhone we're stuck (currently) with Duck, Piano, Robot and a small collection of lame tones. Now in this case, I believe there will be an update to add ringtones, but for an extra charge...

 

[synth3tik]

Then there would be no SMS, with no SMS AT&T loses money, say what you sill but the point of any company is to make money.

 

[boeingair]

Sigh. This is 100% NOT TRUE.

The T-Mobile Sidekick uses EDGE (not even WiFi) for data transfers, and it includes (data-based) AIM, MSN and Yahoo messengers.

When a call comes in, the EDGE session is put on hold, and all data transfer (including that of the IM apps) is suspended. Once the call is ended, and the EDGE session is resumed, any IMs that were sent to the user while on the call are delivered to the handset.

Easy.

 

[boeingair]

You just stop receiving messages while on the phone...

Correct.

 

[GFLPraxis]

Then there would be no SMS, with no SMS AT&T loses money, say what you sill but the point of any company is to make money.

What? AT&T can charge you for SMS, they can't charge for iChat convos. Your post makes no sense.

 

[Le Big Mac]

I'm thinking chat wasn't integrated because SMS is a paid service and ATT doesn't want to lose that revenue stream.
.

That's my theory too. I very much doubt it's technologically impossible or even difficult. I imagine that AT&T said that they wanted text messaging to be paid for separately.

Or put it differently, AT&T said the only way they could do a data plan for $20 is if they could also charge $10 more for unlimited SMS, so they could increase revenues.

(of course, the joke of it is that the data use by text messaging is way way lower than browsing--it's just that they can enhance revenue . . .)

 

[Rangerdeputy]

I was a little confused about the EDGE and not being able to recieve call. So I was browsing and loaded up meebo and was chatting with my wife and told her to call me.

She did and the call went through fine. But like one of the posters said it disconnected EDGE.

 

[O. Frabjous-Dey]

Oh, that's not so bad after all.

 

[SirOmega]

I think we'll see an iChat version that does count IMs against SMS balances. Its just not as easy to port because it has to interface with AT&T's system. It may take a while to arrive (and I'll probably upgrade to the unlimited txts package when it does), but I would expect in before Christmas.

 

[Djmx]

Sigh. This is 100% NOT TRUE.

The T-Mobile Sidekick uses EDGE (not even WiFi) for data transfers, and it includes (data-based) AIM, MSN and Yahoo messengers.

When a call comes in, the EDGE session is put on hold, and all data transfer (including that of the IM apps) is suspended. Once the call is ended, and the EDGE session is resumed, any IMs that were sent to the user while on the call are delivered to the handset.

Easy.

Okay i'm with you on that. But my 8525 does d/c 3G when a call comes then i get knocked off AIM.

Also when iChat well be available it will be like the Mobile IM Cingular had.. it will cost per msg to im. But i will get AIM in Data so it doesn't go thru cingular kinda hard to explain but using Data it will not count as SMS. So iChat well cost for SMS or else att will loose money on that.

 

[bmb012]

What? AT&T can charge you for SMS, they can't charge for iChat convos. Your post makes no sense.

"Then you wouldn't use SMS, and AT&T only makes money when you use SMS" is what he's trying to say I think... and that does make sense.

 

[D1G1T4L]

"Then you wouldn't use SMS, and AT&T only makes money when you use SMS" is what he's trying to say I think... and that does make sense.

Yet oddly I'm pretty sure AT&T has phones that use instant messaging programs already installed from the get go.

So just not allowing it on the iPhone really wouldn't make sense.

 

[FreeState]

So just not allowing it on the iPhone really wouldn't make sense.

In fact ATT lets you use it for free along with MMS if you put your iPhone's sim in another phone - so its already free to use for iPhone users. (http://www.boygeniusreport.com/Documents/iphonelaunchguide2.pdf)

 

[D1G1T4L]

In fact ATT lets you use it for free along with SMM if you put your iPhone's sim in another phone - so its already free to use for iPhone users.

So it sounds like the reason we don't have chat is we don't have iChat

 

[FreeState]

So it sounds like the reason we don't have chat is we don't have iChat

Yep that is my take on it too

 

[kcmac]

So it sounds like the reason we don't have chat is we don't have iChat

Brilliant!

I think we will see iChat sooner rather than later. It is one of the biggest show stoppers for the people I know that are waiting to get one. Soon as it is added, they are on board.

Now for me, I am waiting for the new iMac, the new slim powerbook and then buying one of these or the iPhone. Apple is teh sexy and rough on the wallet.

 

[Rodimus Prime]

"Then you wouldn't use SMS, and AT&T only makes money when you use SMS" is what he's trying to say I think... and that does make sense.

well considering the fact that several different AT&T/Cingular phones have IM clients built into them and using the clients does not effect SMS useage shows that clearly AT&T is not the one at fault here.

This is 100% apple fault and the blame rest completely with apple. AT&T does not stop any of there other phones from using an IM client so why would it be any different for the iPhone. Really people get it though you head that yes Apple did some very stupid and bone head things here.

 

[kdarling]

I was a little confused about the EDGE and not being able to recieve call. So I was browsing and loaded up meebo and was chatting with my wife and told her to call me.

She did and the call went through fine. But like one of the posters said it disconnected EDGE.

You must not have been actually transceiving data.

If you're actively downloading (say a large web page) at the time of an incoming call, the call goes to voicemail automatically. Probably the same with watching You Tube.