Google Talk app (or multi-protocol chat)

[elgorbo]

It's nice to have MSN Live but almost all my contacts are on Google Talk now. I know IM+ is coming but where are the other chat apps??? Hopefully IM+ doesn't charge a ridiculous price for its app... (iPod: $9.99, Android: $5, Blackberry: $39.99!!!!)

 

[ProjMob_Chris]

Agreed!

I do wonder how useful they will be without multitasking. I remember the old days of no iOS multitasking and using chat clients. The experience was very poor. The best case scenario would be a developer working with Microsoft to allow the app to multitask.

 

[frisco434]

SIGH i also want a gtalk client, i really wish beejive would get in on this...

 

[1jaxstate1]

I'm surprised BeeJive hasn't thrown their hat in the ring. I'm not paying more that 10 bucks for a all in one chat.

 

[elgorbo]

Multitasking is supposed to be part of Jan/Feb update. Also, with push notifications, a chat app can at least buzz you when you have a new message. If used in combo with a live tile, you could get by pretty well. I don't know if I like a live tile numeric better than a static icon in the taskbar, but I'll take what I can get at this point.

 

[falconeight#IM]

Its all im waiting for and I will deem WP7 the Ferrari of smartphones.

 

[IamNabil]

I used to write for an iPhone blog, and have a decent relationship with the PR rep at Shape Services. I emailed her to ask what the status is on the WP7 version of IM+. I'll keep you updated.
(For ****s and giggles, here is one of my old reviews: Shape IM+ All-in-One Mobile Messenger: iPhone app review | iPhone World )

 

[IamNabil]

I still haven't heard back from my rep at Shape Services, but I do think I know why a multi-protocol IM client is so long in coming. Currently, WP7 doesn't support independent sockets. What that means is that you can't just connect to ports and services. WP7 supports HTTP and HTTPS connections right now. Until we get socket support, we can't connect to the actual IM servers. We need to connect to a proxy server first.
The rest of the story is that Microsoft is, according to reports from various blogs, releasing the API during the first round of updates, so possibly in January, but more likely in February. This, of course, won’t be confirmed until we actually see the update, or a beta of it. I doubt someone will be building a web IM proxy to support WP7. Most likely, they will wait until the socket API is released. I don’t think we should give up hope, though. I know that there are several web based IM services that would work as a back end. Meebo, for example…
Anyway, that is what I am thinking right now. If I hear anything from my contacts, I will let y’all know!

 

[IamNabil]

In case you were wondering, the lack of socket API is also why we don't have a Pandora or Skype app.

 

[IamNabil]

I just got word from my person at Shape Services. They are testing IM+ for Windows Phone 7 internally, so it's not vaporware, and are planning to drop it on us in "January-February." Horray!

 

[IamNabil]

I'm famous!
Multi-protocol IM + rumoured for January/February release

Seriously, though, I am writing a forum post about a blog post about a forum post about an email.

 

[electricbopeep]

^^^lol Thanks for keeping us up to date!