Free Treo Instant Messaging
There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that Verichat is currently the best instant messaging solution available for the Treo. However, as Jonathan pointed out to me today, it is an application that requires a yearly subscription ($24.95 Standard or $39.95 Premium) and not everyone will want or need to use it so regularly as to warrant buying it.
Well, I'm glad to say that for those looking for a free but plain vanilla IM solution, Agile Mobile has released Agile Messenger (Beta) for PalmOS which allows you to simultaneously connect to ICQ, AIM, MSN and Yahoo.
Aside from letting you connect to all four major IM networks simultaneously, Agile Messenger allows you to:
- hold multiple IM conversations
- split screen messaging interface
- separate tabs for each conversation
- conversation history
- automatic download and updating of the contact list
- contact status information and presence management
- adding, removing, renaming contacts
- data usage counter
- select your 'online status'
- new message sounds
But currently misses on:
- smiley support
- picture messaging with camera support
- sending files
- many other unique features found on Verichat
I really can't complain much about Agile Messenger because on the one hand it's free and on the other it is still in beta and I imagine that the developers will continue to refine it in future updates. Having said this however, at present the lack of full 5Way support and the fact that words in the IM conversation can be split in the middle are among the biggest annoyances.
Also, please note that you can receive phone calls while using Agile Messenger and you will be automatically disconnected from your IM session when you answer the call. Finally, Agile Messenger cannot work in the background and therefore again your IM session will be disconnected when you exit the application.
Bottom line, if you don't want or need to use IM on your Treo on a regular basis then Agile Messenger is undoubtedly an extremely good and solid solution that will prove useful when and where IM is needed.
Agile Messenger [Agile Mobile]
Verichat [PDAapps]
Treonauts are always looking for more ways to communicate...
Comments
There's one more thats works well with the TREO 650 :) and theres no yearly subscription, Now the only thing is, at the moment you can ONLY use two messengers at one time but they say when Ver 3.0 comes out, it will let you use all four messengers (AOL,Yahoo,MSN and ICQ), BUT you can have it working in the backgroung and still get your call's :) I've had mine for about 6 month now and it works great and it's real time chat, no SMS chat, I know it's NOT free, but for the small price it's not bad :) check it out here's the link
I'd like to see one with IRC support as well. Fire on Mac and Trillian on Windows do this.
Why do you prefer Verichat to Causerie? I have tried both and Verichat caused me endless reset issues. Plus I like the full SMS option on Causerie - though is Verichat offering that now? Just curious and always looking for more info. Thanks!
Thanks very much for the article. I was just looking into this as my Verichat just ran out. A yearly subscripton in this age? Please! It's interesting to note that the Palm beta is 2.x, while other OS's for this Agile software are at 3.x. I wonder what that is about.
i haven't delved too much into the treo IM situation since i haven't wanted to pony up a bunch of cash for something that i would much rather not be doing on my treo. that being said, i have found that the 650's sms chat format has been more than adequate for my needs, and with the cost of sms's being so low (as long as you buy in bulk as part of your package), i am sorted...
if i did choose to use one though, i would be certain to read the ToS carefully. Verichat's ToS are very similar to the ToS that AOL IM just announced, the ToS that riled everyone up, the ToS that allows them to not only store your chats indefinitely, but do with them whatever they wish.
careful what you chat about...
Wow, I didn't knwo there were so many IM applications out there for the Palm. At the begining of this year (which was when I renew Verichat) I thought I had no other choice than to give another 20 bucks to Verichat. I think next year is going to be very interesting and Verichat is either going to lower the prices or lose customers. I'm going to keep an eye on the developments of these apps.
Thanks for the great review.
Al
agile doesn't seem to work for me; it won't connect to the aim network. i have a 600...anyone else have a similiar problem? i can connect to yim sometimes, but haven't had any luck w/ aim yet.
I haven't been able to get it to work with AIM either. Yahoo & MSN are no problem. I've got a 650 on Sprint.
Strange, I can get it to work with AIM but not with MSN and I've also got a 650 on Sprint
AIM appears to work for me, but I only see my offline contacts rather than my online contacts....that's a bit pointless!!!!
Yahoo works for me though, so I guess that's some consolation.
This may or may not be the audiance for this and I am sorry if I posted this in the wrong space. I plan to buy a smartPhone treo 600, 650, 700 or different but my main goal is to:
-
run lotus notes not just for email but access to certain DBs availible.
mIRC or some equivilent IRC client
I would rather have firefox than IE but if IE is the only thing then I'll take it.
and finally sometimes I have to access a network that is only reachable via AT&T Global Network Client v5.09.2
I would be really cool if while running these apps I could make and receive call as well.
Can any Treo do this? And what are the specific apps to make this happen???
Thank you in advance for any assistance you provide.
Now that Verichat is no more -- how about a review of some of the other IM options
I downloaded Agile onto my phone but when I sign in it says I only have a 7 day trial. Is the somewhere I can download the program without being on a trial version? This program seems to be working good for me and when I exit out of the program it doesn't kick me off. Thanks in advance. Oh yeah, I have the treo 700wx
Thanks Noe... I actually traded in my 700wx for the 700p. I also downloaded Mundu but when my phone goes to stand by mode I get signed off of aim. Is that supposed to happen when the product is supposed to be always on? I'm thinking I want to use Verichat instead and hope that this doesn't kick me off of im. Any suggestions? I can't decide what to do...PLS HELP...
It's unfortunate that Nokia has killed off Verichat. Apparently the aquisition was soley to gain access to/control the intelectual property, with a complete disregard for those who were using the program.
Mental note: NEVER purchase a Nokia product!
Agile Messenger looks like it might be a workable replacement, but I can't seem to get it to connect. I've tried Mundu, but the application, like their logo, seems pudgy and bloated.
Someone please help me? I have a treo700p and would like to use it as a webcam with my yahoo IM can I? or do need to download software if any?
Sincerely
Rocky
agile has a charge from what i can tell...and when i clicked on link that Noe sent it just took me to a payment page.
i have treo 680 and how to get instant messenger
?
prefer msn and aim
The price for this product is insane, considering how extremely limited it's functionality is. There's plenty of free software that'll connect to all messengers at once, and even better software than that that'll give you even more features at a fraction of the price this is.
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