iPhone in Canada Blog - Canada's #1 iPhone Resource

By Gary Ng on July 4th, 2009 442

iPhone owners were waiting long for Push Notifications to come our way. After an initial delay, iPhone OS 3.0 finally saw Push Notifications arrive! One of the best things about Push Notifications is that it can save your battery instead of having background apps running.

This is especially important when it comes to instant messaging applications on the iPhone. Now, with Push Notifications you can be instantly notified via a pop up when somebody sends you a message. In other words, when you exit the app, you will still be “online” allowing friends to message you all day long. Sweet!

IM+ All-in-One Instant Messaging App: It’s One Powerful IM Solution

I was excited to use IM+ after they announced they would be supporting Push Notifications. I downloaded and installed the app. Setting up all my IM accounts was a breeze. IM+ supports the following (it’s a huge list!):

- Twitter
- Skype Chat (limited to 1 hour push session)
- Facebook Chat
- Yahoo
- MSN/Windows Live
- AIM/iChat/MobileMe
- ICQ (do people still use this?!)
- Google Talk
- MySpaceIM
- Jabber

Whoa. Yes, that’s right. The latest version of IM+ supports 10 messaging networks! I setup my Twitter, MSN, and Google Talk accounts quickly and easily. You can toggle which accounts you want ON/OFF at any given time.

Here are some KEY features of IM+:

- Support for the most popular IM networks
- Built in browser so you don’t have to leave the chat
- Push for all networks
- Send Geo-location to friends (and use Geo Status)
- Record and send voice messages

After getting setup, using the app was extremely straightforward. The layout is simple with tabs along the bottom for switching from contacts, inbox, favorites, status, and a more tab for accessing settings. Tap on a friend and start chatting right away. There’s an option to hide the keyboard which frees up precious screen real estate.

What I found really neat was how easy it was to switch between chat windows. Just swipe to the left or the right with your finger and you can keep up on all your active chats. So easy! Also, you can choose different wallpapers (or use your Photo library) to jazz up your chat window. Landscape typing is also included too.

You can set your status on IM+ to the following status modes:

Online
On iPhone with IM+
I am here
Away
Invisible
Offline

There is a default auto reply that sends your contacts a message that you’re on IM+, and that you will read their message when you launch the app again. This can be handy to let your friends you’re not ignoring them, but can also be highly annoying. Some friends complained, so I left it on for giggles. I’d message them, close IM+, and let them face the dreaded auto-reply! Suckers!

To fully optimize IM+, I turned off the sound notification and left vibrate ON. I actually ended up turning vibrate OFF after a while because my iPhone wouldn’t stop buzzing from all the push notifications. Playing golf with a buzzing iPhone on your belt doesn’t help your game!

You can set the number of hours/days you want IM+ to be connected. This is a great feature as obviously you don’t want push to be pounding your iPhone while you’re sleeping. The IM+ team really did their homework with this app as it covers a tonne of features and is very user friendly.

How Well Do the Push Notifications Work?

Push works amazingly well. If someone sends you a message on any IM network, a pop up window will appear on your homescreen just like receiving an SMS. The actual message appears, and from there you can choose to close/view the message. No longer will you have to check for twitter replies or direct messages, they’re coming to your iPhone now!

Should I Buy IM+? Is it Worth My Precious $9.99?

Yes, if you’re looking for a pretty feature-rich iPhone IM client with Push. IM+ is extremely well-made and it’s the all-in-one IM client with Push that we have been waiting for. There are tonnes of features, support for multiple IM networks, and the most important point of all: it works well. IM+ received every single push notification to my iPhone 3GS.

The only downside to IM+ that reloading the app at certain times, it took longer than usual for my liking. Also, I experienced one crash with the app over the past two days of usage. Aside from that though, another downfall is that IM+ is going to keep you absolutely glued to your iPhone!

Your iPhone battery is going to take a beating with this app. Not with Push, but with constant messaging back and forth with friends. However, I have been able to consistently last an entire day/night with Push on and constantly bugging friends on IM+.

There are other Push IM apps out there. Another worthy contender would be Beejive, but I haven’t used that app yet. Beejive does not support Twitter or Skype chat though. Do your homework if you’re really torn on which one to plunk ten bucks on. Or you could win a copy of IM+ for free…WHAT?!

CONTEST TIME! Win 1 of 5 IM+ Promo Codes from SHAPE Services and iPhoneinCanada.ca!

SHAPE Services, the makers of IM+ have graciously donated 5 promo codes for me to give away to YOU, my loyal readers (I asked on your behalf and they said YES)! Here is your chance to win your FREE copy of IM+ with Push!

How to Enter the IM+ with Push Contest Giveaway:

I’ve made some tricky ways to enter contests, but today I’m going to kick it old school (like back in the early days of this blog). To enter, all you have to do is…

LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW (say something, not just “me please” or “hi”)

I’ll put the names in a hat and draw five winners. Your email will be required so I can pass it onto SHAPE Services. GOOD LUCK!

Contest Details:

- Contest ends midnight tonight. Winners will be announced on Tuesday.
- You will need a US iTunes account to redeem promo code. Click here on how to create one without a credit card.
- If your comment does not appear, it’s awaiting moderation. Be patient while I approve it. Don’t go stir crazy on me please.

Click here to visit IM+ in iTunes.

(Happy Independence Day to all the Americans out there!)