Review: IM+ All-in-One Mobile Messenger

IM%2B%20Version.png IM+ All-in-One Mobile Messenger from Shape Services is i of the top IM applications for Windows Mobile Standard and Pro (and increasingly its contest).

It is also hands-down the most expensive option, coming in at a whooping sometime fee of $39.95. At least that $39.95 is a lifetime license with free upgrades and even a transfer to some other device-type (except iPhone). Is it worth it? Depends if y'all are an instant messaging nut -- if then, yeah as its a darn good app.

Curious near what changes accept been brought with their half-dozen.ten and at present 7.10 updates? Read on for my full review.

For many of us old-school guys, null will beat VeriChat as the pinnacle of great instant messaging mobile programs. However, IM+ comes real shut and with their frequent updates of tardily, the improvements and added functionality has made this a powerful plan. First, lets go over the major services information technology covers:

AOL
Google Talk
Yahoo
Jabber
MSN
ICQ
MySpace (new)
Facebook (new)
Twitter (very new)

In other words, they cover merely almost all of information technology. Too bad no Skype-conversation support though, for that you'll need their separate program (which they should really consider merging with IM+, just proverb). Twitter support was just added with v7.x (come across modify log history) and while it works, information technology feels not as fun every bit Twikini or PockeTwit -- but, hey, ameliorate information technology be there than not.

IM Push Manner

This is probably the biggest improvement and is why I'm listing it showtime. Basically nether settings you turn this on and specify an email address (or SMS address like @messaging.sprintpcs.com).

If your internet connection is lost, the servers for Shape Services will keep yous logged in for Ten hours (user defined). When IM + reconnects to the server, your missed messages will be sent to you. Likewise, with the optional email role, you can be notified a new message is waiting.

IM%2B%20Missed%20Config.png IM%2B%20Missed%20%282%29.png

But the best role? When in this style,IM+ auto-responds to your buddies who are trying to contact you with "I'm logged in with IM+ for WM. Right at present IM+ is closed and I will read your message as shortly as I open information technology over again." (You can even customize that message).

And it works too. As far as I know, no other IM service is offer such functionality and if messaging is a priority for you, this is something to consider.

Send Electric current Location

Basically this just allows you to specify your location via internal-GPS and mail it as a link (via gpsed.com). Y'all can send that info to an online buddy during conversation or leave it up equally office of your online-status. Pretty neat.

IM%2B%20Location.png IM%2B%20Missed_0.png

Multiple Accounts

Yup, IM+ allows y'all to have multiple accounts of the aforementioned service, which is adept for people like myself who accept a personal and work Gmail business relationship.

Today Plugin/Notifications

IM+ has arguably one of the all-time messaging plugins, equally it separates the accounts, shows you how many are online and has a incoming message tally. Don't like the plugin? No problem as the program integrates itself into the traditional Windows Mobile notification system, meaning you lot go an icon in the Start bar and can configure the sound/vibrate options under arrangement settings.

IM%2B%20Today%20Screen.png

In use

IM+ has a real overnice UI layout. You can choose the "Chat bubble" style for conversations that is reminiscent of the iPhone--personally I like this a lot every bit it makes the conversation feel more natural and the avatar support really personalizes the interaction.

IM%2B%20Chat.png

The ability to ship your GPS location or but exit it up every bit your status is a bit creepy for some, simply personally I think it is a corking improver. Sending photos during a conversation is easy enough, with your photos appearing on imtransfer.im4mobile.com. Perhaps it would be better if you can send it direct instead of a link though.

The program takes up about 2.3MBs of storage space and is not likewise heavy on RAM consumption, just it's non the lightest either. The app runs fast and is quick to recall upward. Formatting works well even on 320x320 devices and there is a very prissy version for WM Standard which has all the same functionality and design--it ran very nicely on the Sprint Snap. Notifications ever worked and the colorfulUI is actually nice to work with.

Organizing your contacts works very well. You have the choice for "show online only", "evidence groups", "show services" and listing by online-status. You tin also have everyone's avatar show upwardly or merely list their name. While avatar selection is nice, you tin can't take more than 6 contacts visible without scrolling on a 320x320 screen, whereas you lot tin can have 20 without their avatars. Finally you lot can also delete, rename and add together contacts at your will, which is a squeamish touch.

IM%2B%20List.png IM%2B%20Sort.png

Battery Life

This is ever the big issue with instant messaging programs. Verichat got around this by using an SMS-relay arrangement where their servers did all the work and a special SMS was sent to wake your device on wake-upwards. No one has done that yet, not even Shape Services, though the IM Push button option above is close.

Still, having said that IM+ is actually not to bad on battery life. It still drains when left on and if in a weak-signal area, information technology volition drain faster, but overall I was shocked sometimes that it was still running. One has to caution though and here is where their 7-day trial is a must, merely overall I think they have really optimized this part.

Conclusion

I've been much impressed with IM+ as of late (hence this review). They have consistently come out with new features and updates to the plan every few months--agile development is very important when dropping $39.95 on an app and at to the lowest degree here, this seems to be the case. The program runs very well, has a ton of features (sometimes a bit overwhelming) and they basically guarantee you won't miss anIM no matter the situation. Pretty good thought. The inclusion of MySpace, Facebook and Twitter really keeps this plan fresh and is a slap-up way to keep upwardly on various social networks.

The $39.95 is a lot though, but as mentioned above, information technology is a life-time license with free upgrades. You lot tin also transfer it former to some other device (e.m. to WM Standard, Blackberry, Symbian, Android, WebOS, etc.).

Any complaints? They should add together Skype-chat and that funky new "Spoken communication to text" feature whereby y'all tin can dictate your IMs--both of those are on the Blackberry version. And why make me buy a separate app for Skype? I can understand having a Skype-only version, but Shape Services should besides have an IM+ with Skype on board--hey, charge me an extra $5 or $10 bucks, simply give me the convenience.

Then, finally, if yous IM a lot and you lot "need this" function, and so attempt IM+ for vii days, it's a very good program that is constantly growing. If y'all are only the occasional chatterer and so sticking with the "complimentary" carrier versions is non a bad idea. All the same, it is solid apps like this that makes Windows Mobile fun and I'd put in my top ten programs for the platform.

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