A to Z Gizmozzz

Fans of Instant Messaging, rejoice, as iOS 5 will come with its very own instant messenger. The new messenger, called iMessage, is clearly targeted at RIM’s BlackBerry Messenger, and will work over both 3G and WiFi.

According to Apple, iMessage will bring the functionality of iPhone messaging to all iOS devices, and will be built directly into the Messages app. iMessage will offer much more than instant messaging, as it will allow users to also send messages, photos, videos, or contact information to other iOS 5 users – all using encrypted connections, to please IT organizations of Apple’s corporate customers.

Just like like BlackBerry Messenger, iMessage supports delivery and read receipts, and typing indication, to let you know if/when the person you are chatting with has received your message and if he/she is typing back. But iMessage offers one additional feature over its BlackBerry counterpart: iMessage is aware of which device you are using, and messages are automatically pushed to the correct device. For instance, a conversation started on an iPad can be continued on an iPhone if necessary.

                                                    iMessage App

If successful, the app will help Apple ‘lock in’ its customers – especially enterprise customers – on its own instant messaging network, just like what RIM did with BlackBerry Messenger. In other words, Apple is again going after RIM, and will use iMessage as a Trojan horse to sell more iPhones and iPads to IT organizations across the globe.

We’re sincerely hoping that iMessage will also be compatible with open Instant Messaging networks, such as Google Talk, just like the Mail app is able to pull messages from Gmail natively – otherwise, we’re not convinced that another ‘closed garden’ instant messaging network would add much value to non-corporate iOS devices users.