Well this just torks me off!

[George Ponder]

I'm either dumber than a door knob or had one heck of a blonde moment.

I just discovered that using AT&T IM application (the one that bundles Yahoo/MSN/AIM) charges you by the message and is not covered by your data plan.

No warning, not a single caution when you open the application. You live, you learn, and now you hunt down that Beejive .CAB file. Rotten scoundrels!

 

[Pearl_Diva]

IM is added to your text messaging plan on AT&T.

 

[George Ponder]

It's my understanding that Beejive and IM+ feed off your data package. Right?

 

[Pearl_Diva]

Many of those alternative ones DO use data, yes.

AT&T is capitalizing again with their built in app. I didn't even realize IM was on the messaging plan until I upgraded my text package and IM was mentioned. I was covered even on the old plan, but still a little surprised. I'm also 98% sure this was recent, right after that 20 cent increase. I do not remember hearing IM before that. I could just be cynical though and just not remember. But that 20 cents per message bites, get the 200 plan just to cover yourself if you get SMS. Another of AT&T's plans to nickel and dime, I bet.

 

[Enyahs_Shayne09#WN]

well if u read carefully it tells u that im is included with the sms package....
well at least thats what i read

 

[PGR]

AT&T is capitalizing again with their built in app.

I don't think it's an "AT&T" app. My Sprint Touch Pro includes the same Yahoo, MSN, and AIM app. I happen to have one of Sprint's "Everything" plans so I don't think I'd have to pay any extra to use IM, but my guess is someone who was paying a la carte for their services probably would.

That said, I don't see why anyone would need to use IM. My POP email accounts, text messaging, and the phone cover all my communications needs. Sprint Picture mail is another example. What does that do for me that I can't do with standard email?

If I could, I'd remove a bunch of those "bling" apps from my phone, but it looks like I'll just have to ignore 'em.

Pete

 

[George Ponder]

PGR... thismight help get some of the bling off your phone.

 

[Pearl_Diva]

well if u read carefully it tells u that im is included with the sms package....
well at least thats what i read

Actually, I order text packages by phone. And this time I noticed IM was mentioned when I didn't before. Although that could have just been my mistake.

 

[PGR]

PGR... thismight help get some of the bling off your phone.

Thanks for the link, Coppertop, but it's way too late in the game for me to be doing any hard resets that aren't mandatory.

Pete

 

[bubbatex]

I don't think it's an "AT&T" app. My Sprint Touch Pro includes the same Yahoo, MSN, and AIM app. I happen to have one of Sprint's "Everything" plans so I don't think I'd have to pay any extra to use IM, but my guess is someone who was paying a la carte for their services probably would.

That said, I don't see why anyone would need to use IM. My POP email accounts, text messaging, and the phone cover all my communications needs. Sprint Picture mail is another example. What does that do for me that I can't do with standard email?

If I could, I'd remove a bunch of those "bling" apps from my phone, but it looks like I'll just have to ignore 'em.

Pete

I have tried about 3-4 different IM apps on my Sprint phones (all of them were "data" programs) and never had any extra charges from Sprint. That is an ATT thing for sure!

I also agree with you on IM - I don't use it at all any longer - PC or phone.

 

[HobbesIsReal#WP]

Most carriers look at IM / MSM / Text Messages, etc... seperately from the data. Even though you need data to send an instant or text message, for billing purposes, it is all on its own. Some carriers have package deals where this is included with your data plan, but this has to be confirmed and never assumed.

 

[PGR]

What Hobbes posted is certainly true with Sprint services. Before I switched to an Everything Plan, I had an a la carte plan which included unlimited data but I had to pay extra for text messaging.

Even the Everything Plan has some options which apparently cost extra. For example, I think some of the Sprint TV channels cost extra despite the fact that an Everything Plan includes unlimited Sprint TV. I didn't buy my phone to watch TV on, though, so that won't be a problem.

Pete