iphone pondering

[Niall]

Does anyone use a messenger app with the iphone? Thanks to an abundance of idiots being allowed to post reviews on the itunes store, I don't know which, if any, work.

I tried ebuddy and it kept telling me I had no internet connection (I must have used magic pixie dust to download the app) so I never got to run it.

Oh that's another thing. When you "buy" an app, do you only get charged once you successfully run the app? I ask because I bought ebuddy, but I never managed to get it to work and so far haven't been billed for it. I have contacted the ebuddy people via their feedback email (3 days ago and no reply yet!) and I contacted itunes today querying if I'll be charged and if so I want my money back (12 hours so far and no reply!).

I'd like to be able to use messenger to natter with my mate while I'm on lunch (as no new guitar mags are out yet )

[lozcart]

I don't use any messenger apps on my phone but my daughters do on the iPod Touch.

They use ebuddy successfully but use the free version, was it the pro version you downloaded? As far as I know you get charged for the app as soon as you download it, not just when you first use it.

If the app is not working correctly then delete it from your phone and download it again, you won't be charged twice and it may install correctly the second time.

A new app which gets ok reviews was released yesterday called A iMSN Pro Free, as it doesn't cost anything it could be worth checking out.

Another one is MSN Mobile Messenger this costs 59p, get ok reviews and is currently number two in the download chart.

[Niall]

I've discovered that the download chart is meaningless. There are apps that don't even work that are in the top 10!

[Gary]

I use beejive Niall although a bit pricey it works really well, its been around a long time and is used on the Blackberry platform as well, when you logout you remain active on the servers (you set the time and notification method) so will get messages pushed to you afterwards. There was a slight issue the other day when there was an update but that was at their end, not the program, first glitch I have had with it in all the time I have used it, which is since I have had the iPhone, Shapes IM+ is also good but I prefer the interface of beejive, also works with your facebook account pretty well. Yes its not cheap but sometimes you get what you pay for, being able to send and receive voice clips and images is pretty cool as well as off line messages. Also its a tried and trusted platform.

[Stevescat]

Niall,

I don't own an iPhone and know virtually nothing about it, except I thought all apps were strictly vetted by Apple, and only those that past their rigorous testing would be allowed on the App store, so I'd be amazed if any didn't work. Could there be other issues?

[Niall]

Hell yes there are issues!

There's an app on there that is supposed to send you discount codes, etc for things in your area, or just chain stores. What it also does, and doesn't say is SELLS YOUR INFO. Almost everyone that's reviewed it have reported a massive increase in spam mails immediately after buying the app.

I seriously get the feeling that the only testing that is done, is if the app works at the date of creation. There are a few on there with people claiming (and rightly so) that the app stopped working within a week of purchase.

Basically the app store needs a giant kick up the arse as it seems Apple are more concerned with bragging about how many apps are on there rather than if they work.

Oh and I still haven't had a reply from ebuddy or Apple support regarding my refund or explanation of what the process is so I don't get billed for a broken app.

[Stevescat]

Niall,

Just been poking about reading a few things about Ebuddy. See what you mean regarding the reviews. 5 Stars, the best thing since sliced bread! Down to 1 Star, takes 5 mins to load etc. Also read identical problems to yours - No internet connection!!! No response to emails. Haven't found any solutions that have worked for anybody. Only 'disabling automatic login at startup' and 'reinstalling app' was suggested. Maybe try one of the free versions, Niall.

[Niall]

Yeah, I've tried all the "fixes" for it before giving up. It wasn't essential, it's just something I wish was on there. You'd think Microsoft would make an app for the iphone, despite it being for a different OS. Surely the more people exposed to your product, the more would be interested in your other products? I think they've missed a trick here (and extra income).

I was reading today actually on the BBC site that a group are thinking of making their own app store, including Vodafone, who I'm with on this iphone, so there may be hope yet (although initial reports don't look good).

[Gary]

Hell yes there are issues!

There's an app on there that is supposed to send you discount codes, etc for things in your area, or just chain stores. What it also does, and doesn't say is SELLS YOUR INFO. Almost everyone that's reviewed it have reported a massive increase in spam mails immediately after buying the app.

I seriously get the feeling that the only testing that is done, is if the app works at the date of creation. There are a few on there with people claiming (and rightly so) that the app stopped working within a week of purchase.

Basically the app store needs a giant kick up the arse as it seems Apple are more concerned with bragging about how many apps are on there rather than if they work.

Oh and I still haven't had a reply from ebuddy or Apple support regarding my refund or explanation of what the process is so I don't get billed for a broken app.

Honestly Niall I have had no issue with any of the apps I have had or used in the last 6 months, some I outgrew, some I replaced with better ones, but anything that's free will be ad driven, like sky news, so I removed it, also a messenger for 59 pence is not going to be great quality, the app store has duds I'm sure but I have been lucky so far, there are some great apps out their, and reviews do help most people post pretty honest ones, you just weed out the idiots who dont know what the are talking about, or who troll, and its pretty obvious what's a good app and what isn't.

[Niall]

I just stumbled across one by accident. Hotmail/messenger was down when I came in, so I thought it was a router issue at first (sometimes a reboot sorts it), but it turned out they were down, so I thought I'd have a nose at Trillian and they have released an iphone app, which didn't show up on IM searches for some reason, so I'll get that as they always seem to know what's what. Apparently they created it ages ago but had to wait for a long time for the Apple approval process, which strikes me as being stupid considering the rubbish that's out there!

I've still had no reply from apple or ebuddy either. Great support that is!

Oh, one good thing came of it though. When I rebooted my router, my profile went up to 10300+ from 9532

[Rik]

Let's hope it stays that way.

[Niall]

It seems that whatever the problems were in Wrexham, they have now gone. My sisters line is once again stable, as is mine (as of yesterday) and pages are loading fast, no streaming is caching and things are zipping along nicely

[Rik]

Den's probably stopped downloading.

[Niall]