Instant messaging

[shastings68]

i just bought a g1..currently i am using blackberry to blackberry instant messaging with my frnd who has verizon and i have t mobile and it costs us nothing... without a blackberry now..is there a way we can still instant message without incurring any fees or using our minutes? thank you

[JaceMan]

You could always try this.

If you don't feel like searching for the answer or are too busy, you could include some additional information about your particular situation. What do you and your friend use to "instant message?" What application and service?

[deserttopping]

Just use Google Talk.

[JaceMan]

or yahoo or aim or...

That's why I asked what app and service they use.

[hgigh]

I personally paid the extra $10 for unlimited text

[JaceMan]

I personally paid the extra $10 for unlimited text

Which would be fine (although $10 is not free) for him, but doesn't really do much for his friend on Verizon who may or may not have unlimited sms.

[shastings68]

sorry, blackberry messenger is what we are using.
i have no problem to use AIM, i guess my big question is, is it free, does it use up your text minutes?

[JaceMan]

sorry, blackberry messenger is what we are using.
i have no problem to use AIM, i guess my big question is, is it free, does it use up your text minutes?

Assuming you have a data plan and the *proper messaging app*, speaking over the AIM network doesn't use up any more of your minutes than web browsing... zero.

*BOLD* proper denotes not using the default IM app that comes with your T-Mobile device. Instant Messaging (except for using Google Talk) counts towards the 400 text messages that come with the basic data plan. If you're not upgrading to unlimited text messaging, you will want to use an alternative method for sending instant messages through the AIM, Yahoo!, and MSN networks... such as Meebo.

[shastings68]

excuse my comprehension issues here, but we both have unlimited web browsing... ...
if we both use our AIM and that app, is that sufficient?

[JaceMan]

excuse my comprehension issues here, but we both have unlimited web browsing... ...
if we both use our AIM and that app, is that sufficient?

I don't know if there is a Meebo app for Blackberry, so I can't help your friend out. If YOU use Meebo to speak over AIM, with an unlimited data plan, YOU won't incur charges.

T-Mobile counts instant messaging against your SMS (text messaging) limit. I don't know how Verizon bills, so he may or may not be affected. You should tell your friend to call Verizon and ask them if they charge for instant messaging or only text messaging.