New AIM For Pocket PC -- But Only For iPAQ 6315s

[Janak Parekh]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.engadget.com/entry/1758766908719632/' target='_blank'>http://www.engadget.com/entry/1758766908719632/</a><br /><br /></div><i>"We were all excited when we discovered a new version of AIM (AOL Instant Messenger) for Pocket PC on our new iPAQ h6315 Pocket PC Phone. The popular instant message application for Pocket PC hasn’t been updated in years and the new version included with the phone as part of T-Mobile’s IM suite works splendidly. Now for the disappointing news. Our quick-to-hack nature kicked in and as we tried to find the actual application on the device it was immediately apparent T-Mobile and/or AOL doesn’t want people like us getting at it—the executable application is in the iPAQ ROM. In other words there isn’t an easy way to get it out and put it on our other devices, which is a bummer."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/parekh-20040830-NewAIM.gif" /><br /><br />Somehow, I'm not surprised. We're talking about the IM provider that took a previously free Pocket PC AIM client and repackaged it as a commercial product, and hasn't released a general update since. :?

[Pinnacle]

Works splendidly?!

Frankly, this version of AIM has been the one un-useable app on my 6315. It hardly ever connects, and when it does it's as slow as it gets.
And recipients don't get my messages...it simply stinks as an adequate AIM client.

[Paul P]

[i]"We were all excited when we discovered a new version of AIM (AOL Instant Messenger) for Pocket PC on our new iPAQ h6315 Pocket PC Phone.

I wish I hadn't discovered it, as it simply doesn't work. The only thing it accomplished was messing up my desktop AIM, which keeps saying I am already connected in another location. I am using the older AIM version for PPCs, still works great.

[manuelpl]

Does the built in aim in the 6315 require the user to purchase a T-MOBILE text messaging plan ?

[mesposito2]

Does the built in aim in the 6315 require the user to purchase a T-MOBILE text messaging plan ?

It uses SMS, and I think there are 30 SMS messages with all voice accounts. Tmobile has some good plans though for text messaging.

300 messages - $2.99/month
Unlimited - $9.99/month

SMS is separate from data and voice, as is MMS.

[nirav28]

Personally I think AOL can take their PPC AIM and their desktop client and stick it where the sun doesn't shine. :evil:

AIM on my desktop is a virus. Never ever leave the volume turned up on your workstation inthe office when you're running AIM. It will download movie files as ads and play them whenever it chooses. First you had animated banners. They were somewhat acceptable. But try being on a slow gprs connection using your laptop and the damn thing wants to pull down movie files to display as banners. :roll:

I use agile messenger for the PPC. It supports MSN, Yahoo and AIM and its FREE!!!

[Jason Lee]

yes agile messneger good! :mrgreen:

[Janak Parekh]

AIM on my desktop is a virus. Never ever leave the volume turned up on your workstation inthe office when you're running AIM. It will download movie files as ads and play them whenever it chooses.
Indeed -- that's when I switched to Trillian on the desktop. The free version is so-so, but the Pro version is amazing, and I'm much happier now.

I use agile messenger for the PPC. It supports MSN, Yahoo and AIM and its FREE!!!
I'll have to give this a shot -- I keep on forgetting to. ;)

--janak

[Derek Snyder]

Hi all-
I have an iPAQ h6315 and this version of AIM is not what it seems. It works only over-the-air by exchanging text messages (SMS). As evidence, when I try to connect over WiFi (when not in a T-Mobile coverage area), it cannot connect. Furthermore, it will ring up your bill with all those text messages everytime you sign on, off, and exchange messages.

Yuck :cry:

[Pinnacle]

Works splendidly?!

Frankly, this version of AIM has been the one un-useable app on my 6315. It hardly ever connects, and when it does it's as slow as it gets.
And recipients don't get my messages...it simply stinks as an adequate AIM client.

[Jason Dunn]

It uses SMS to send messages? Oh man, what a crappy solution - talk about pimping themselves to the carriers...

[nirav28]

I wonder if you'd get charged if you insert a smiley face in your message when using this "SMS" based AIM client. Does it count as a MMS picture message? Now that would be "pimping" to the carriers.

hehe..ok..me being stupid..trying to find some point to bash AOL and their crappy client with.

[nuka_t]

im a noob, are there any trillian-like apps for ppc that can connect to msn, aim, icq, jabber, etc at teh same time?

[manuelpl]

So can we install the old AIM. and get away with not paying for SMS charges, or some other program like aim+ , or what not.

[Brad Adrian]

So can we install the old AIM...?
That's what I'd like to know. I've still got the old freebie version on my hard drive and it still works great on all of my Pocket PCs. Wonder if they'll try to block it...

[johncruise]

@manuelpl: old AIM for PPC doesn't use SMS (I have one right now running on my E-200)

@nuka_t: yes... like what Jason said... AgileMessenger (http://www.agilemobile.com/agile_messenger.html) However, you cannot login to 2 of the same protocol at the same time (i.e. cannot have 2 MSN at the same time)

[Janak Parekh]

It uses SMS to send messages? Oh man, what a crappy solution - talk about pimping themselves to the carriers...
AOL's been developing such a solution for every mobile phone. I guess they basically ported their "dumb" cell phone interface over... the idea used to be that this would work as a substitute for always-on GPRS. Of course, now that's possible, this comes across as rather shortsighted.

--janak

[delfuhd]

(off topic a bit)... but for those of you complaining about using AIM ont he desktop, google "AIM+" and hit "I'm Feeling Lucky"

[Janak Parekh]

(off topic a bit)... but for those of you complaining about using AIM ont he desktop, google "AIM+" and hit "I'm Feeling Lucky"
I did a year ago, and they still haven't made it 5.x compatible. In fact, I think they gave up on it. :( That's when I decided to switch.

--janak

[nuka_t]

@manuelpl: old AIM for PPC doesn't use SMS (I have one right now running on my E-200)

@nuka_t: yes... like what Jason said... AgileMessenger (http://www.agilemobile.com/agile_messenger.html) However, you cannot login to 2 of the same protocol at the same time (i.e. cannot have 2 MSN at the same time)

does agile work with ppc's over wifi or just over a phone connection?

their website seems to indicate the latter.

[lindykid]

works for both

[gregh2000]

i tried to install agile on my ppc 4155, and it doesn't work for crap. no contacts show up online, but if i login on my computer, or using the old aim, i see 5 contacts online. in other words, agile was installed and uninstalled all in about 2 minutes, lol.

[delfuhd]

(off topic a bit)... but for those of you complaining about using AIM ont he desktop, google "AIM+" and hit "I'm Feeling Lucky"
I did a year ago, and they still haven't made it 5.x compatible. In fact, I think they gave up on it. :( That's when I decided to switch.

--janak

That's why you download AIM version 4.8 and use that. New AIM versions are annoying with all there "wonderful features"

[fmcpherson]

So can we install the old AIM...?
That's what I'd like to know. I've still got the old freebie version on my hard drive and it still works great on all of my Pocket PCs. Wonder if they'll try to block it...

I've installed the AOL AIM client on my 6315 and it works with no problems. Just to be safe I renamed the AIM icon in the programs group to AIM_SMS before installing the AOL client. It works good enough for me.

[Jason Lee]

I've never had any trouble with agile messenger. Logs in and displays my contacts just fine. It even shows me my yahoo messages that i got while off line.

I also logged in to aim.com and setup my mobile device. Now when ever i am not logged in to aim it always shows me as logged in mobile. when someone sends me an im it goes to my phone as at txt message. I can then respond to it and it goes back to the person that sent it. Works fine. Just can't start a conversation of see who's on line.

I don't really use aol or yahoo though.. only keep them around for 1 or 2 old friends.

Oh and agile messenger works great over wifi, activesync pass-through, GPRS, any connection you can get. :)

[nirav28]

One more point to add about Agile Messenger. it actually integrates with the Today Screen and will display the number of chat sessions that are open.

Also, it works well even when your GPRS connection or network connection drops. Unlike AOL's client. It doesn't complain when it no longer detects a network connection. Basically it will transparantly resume transaction once the network connection is re-established.

[Janak Parekh]

That's why you download AIM version 4.8 and use that. New AIM versions are annoying with all there "wonderful features"
I think this'll be the last OT post I make on the subject, but there are a few useful features that 5.x has, including the typing indicator. So 4.8's out of the question. ;)

--janak

[manuelpl]

@manuelpl: old AIM for PPC doesn't use SMS (I have one right now running on my E-200)

@nuka_t: yes... like what Jason said... AgileMessenger (http://www.agilemobile.com/agile_messenger.html) However, you cannot login to 2 of the same protocol at the same time (i.e. cannot have 2 MSN at the same time)


Hey John I remember you from pocketpcminds, this nox from e-200 corner.

How are things

n0x

[fmcpherson]

I just saw a T-Mobile commercial that pitches unlimited instant messaging for AOL, Yahoo, and ICQ for $9.99 per month. That sounds a little high to me.

[thebrian]

damnit. i have been messaging away...how was i supposed to know it was using sms ??? when i saw my bill right. how misleading is that? not only am i paying for unlimited internet which some folks are getting for free but my messenger clients arent even using it....
could someone post a link to a normal version of aim that will work on pocket pc? im not sure where to get it from.

[galt]

could someone post a link to a normal version of aim that will work on pocket pc? im not sure where to get it from.

Here: http://www.aol.co.uk/aim/wince/index.html

And here: http://www.aim.com/get_aim/win_ce/latest_wince.adp

[thebrian]

thank you 0X

[thebrian]

wow...this am is great. i do not understand why hp and tmobile want to rip their customers off like this. that version in rom cant even copy paste. is there any way to not have them show in my programs list? thanks

[Jeff Rutledge]

is there any way to not have them show in my programs list? thanks

You can delete shortcuts from Programs from this folder: \Windows\Start Menu\Programs.