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Apple previews new AOL messaging: iChat

updated 03:15 pm EDT, Mon May 6, 2002

Apple today also introduced iChat, a new AIM-compatible instant messaging client with an Aqua interface that will be integrated with Jaguar (the next version of OS X). It offers messaging between Mac.com members, AOL members and AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) users, allowing Mac users to use their existing Mac.com names with iChat. It offers integration with Mail to display the online status of recipient's email, integration with the system-wide Address Book, "dialogue bubbles" to display chats, and automatic discovery of users on local area networks.

by MacNN Staff

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yuhui
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Joined: Jan 2000

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05/06, 04:35pm | report spam | close Reply |
AOL and Apple?

With AOL so paranoid about keeping its IM system closed, does this mean that there's some kind of cross-investment deal between AOL and Apple?

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05/06, 05:24pm | report spam | close Reply |
AOL

not that aol is an amazing app or anything, but why are we still stuck @ 5.0 with wintel at 7.0, probably 8 by now? maybe the "deal" that may have been made will bring OS X up to par with Wintel?

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05/06, 05:29pm | report spam | close Reply |
ICQ?

iChat with ICQ connectivity would be nice. I use Fire- more networks available in one client than I need.

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05/06, 06:09pm | report spam | close Reply |
iChat + Applescript?

Didn't see anything in the PR about iChat being scriptable. Is it too much to assume that it would be? I'd love to have an easy way to create bots of various sorts and Applescript is a low-threshold way to do that.

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05/06, 06:53pm | report spam | close Reply |
Seems like...

This might be the reason why the AIM never got passed beta..

MacNN.com Reader
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05/06, 07:52pm | report spam | close Reply |
About Time

I'm surprised AOL made AIM for X to begin with. Remember a few years ago, when AOL and Microsoft were fighting over compatibility (or lack thereof) between AIM and MSN Messenger - and it was clear that Microsoft would make Messenger would become "an integral part of Windows that could not be removed without great damage"? Because of this, AOL struck a deal with Apple to include or integrate AIM with Mac OS.

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05/06, 09:15pm | report spam | close Reply |
yech...

i'm plagued by a poor and increasingly poorer impression of AOL. Having to identifiy them in any way with my favorite operating system is unsettling to say the least...

corey_chandler
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Joined: Mar 2000

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05/06, 09:16pm | report spam | close Reply |
Ugh

The interface looks nasty (what's with speech bubbles?!), and the fact that it only works with AIM bites.

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05/06, 09:44pm | report spam | close Reply |
Re: Ugh

Not just AIM, but also Mac.com too. Which probably won't do much for most users (who here only chats with other Mac users? Not me...), but at least you don't have to have an AOL account just to chat. It would be great if you could integrate other chat services into iChat as plugins, like Yahoo or MSN.

Just because the underlying protocol for iChat is AOL doesn't make iChat identical to AIM. I don't think using the most popular chat protocol "bites" at all. This already looks like a vast improvement over AIM, especially the "local buddy list" and drag-and-drop file sharing.

I agree about the speech bubbles, though. I hope there's some way to turn them off.

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05/06, 09:47pm | report spam | close Reply |
AIM / iChat / mac.com

I currently use Adium and i love it!! Hopefully i will be able to use adium with my mac.com...
anyway...

Out of curiousity...I signed on my the new AIM with my mac.com address but was not able to see any of my buddies with it. Anyone with success?

iChat Sounds cool to me, But like I said, I love adium. I love tabbed IM windows and I love preferences

MacNN.com Reader
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05/06, 09:56pm | report spam | close Reply |
Oh shut up.

It rocks. I can't wait to get it.

Welborn
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05/06, 10:02pm | report spam | close Reply |
Yuck!

This food is disgusting! And there's not nearly enough of it!

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05/06, 10:47pm | report spam | close Reply |
iChat

its a good idea on apples part, but the text bubbles are ugly and it will be hard to compete with adium. adium is a very solid chat program and as a previous user already said, the tabbed chat windows is an amazing feature. adium is so customizable as well, definitely a plus. but, as all other OS X users will probably do, i will download and give it a shot.

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05/07, 12:52am | report spam | close Reply |
SMS and iChat

I wonder why Apple didn't go the next step and integrate iChat with SMS and Bluetooth. They mention that you can go to the Address Book app and send SMS via Bluetooth phones. It makes sense to extend iChat to support the followup conversation doesn't it? Or did I just miss this somewhere?

- - e r i k - -
Posting Junkie

Joined: May 2001

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05/07, 01:02am | report spam | close Reply |
iChat?

Damn... AIM-only, text-bubbly, sherlock/QT4 butt-ugly metal? Pass me my Proteus please...

yuhui
Junior Member

Joined: Jan 2000

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05/07, 01:03am | report spam | close Reply |
Re: SMS and iChat

Maybe that's a ver 2.0 feature? It's pretty hard to cram everything and the kitchen sink into a ver 1.0 app, even for Apple. Look at how long it took to put an equalizer into iTunes.

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05/07, 01:51am | report spam | close Reply |
Where can I see it?

Where have all you people seen a picture of iChat? The only articles I have seen give only text.

palegolas
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05/07, 02:53am | report spam | close Reply |
icq though...

I don't know a single soul using the AOL chat app. ICQ is the standard over here. gonna be a hazzle to make all my (pc)friends shift over to AOL.

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05/07, 03:17am | report spam | close Reply |
Re: iChat

If you look CLOSELY at the image of iChat Apple gives us... The last button on the right looks to me to be a toggle on/off for the bubbles...

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05/07, 03:50am | report spam | close Reply |
Is Apple bored....

Wtf, why doesn't Apple take care of more important business than an IM ???
Get the system done, Finder in Cacoa and other stuff optimized...
We don't neep c*** that is available in tons already...
Damn, Apple, it's not just kiddies out there...

:-(
-t

Flipp'n JJ

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05/07, 04:05am | report spam | close Reply | delete
intergration?

What is this iChat with systemwide intergration. Everybody is complaning that MS has intergrated their s*** in Windows/XP and now Apple is doing the same thing? I wouldn't be suprised if you can't remove this iChat from the system whitout trouble. I don't like it. If i like it I will install it myself. Looks like Apple has the deal with MS, so MS can say: everybody does it...

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05/07, 04:44am | report spam | close Reply |
Huh?

I wouldn't be suprised if you can't remove this iChat from the system whitout trouble.
You haven't even seen it, let alone used it but already you seem to know EVERYTHING about it.

And with MS, the problem was that they seem hellbent on preventing competitors' browsers working.

Apple couldn't care less if you use iChat or not; they want to sell you a box, what you do with it is up to you.

Flipp'n JJ

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05/07, 05:11am | report spam | close Reply | delete
re: huh?

Did you try removing mail or the adressbook from your system? because you use entourage or another mail app? Thats what i mean with 'can't remove without trouble'.
If i dont use iChat i dont want it on my system

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05/07, 05:15am | report spam | close Reply |
iChat?

Lemme get this straight - I can't watch TV on my Mac anymore, 'cause His Steveness hates television, but i can IM to my heart's content. mmmm, Progress.

fussili
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05/07, 05:22am | report spam | close Reply |
RE: Is apple bored

Wtf, why doesn't Apple take care of more important business than an IM ???
Get the system done, Finder in Cacoa and other stuff optimized...
We don't neep c*** that is available in tons already...
Damn, Apple, it's not just kiddies out there...

I think you'll find that 10.2 will be a MAJOR step forward in terms of the finder, If you've got time to spare then you might as well build another Hub app =] Shame all my lazy a** friends use MSN, I have to use Fire.. (Which is a great app nonetheless)

As for the interface.. Dammit! I'm not such a fan of Brushed metal for iApps, I like the clear white pearly look of Mail.app and Sherlock as they are now =]

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05/07, 07:51am | report spam | close Reply |
metal interface

As noted on spymac.com: "The incredible good looking metal interface (see iTunes for example or Quicktime) is now officially part of the UI and can be turned on and off in Project Manager with the click of a mouse."

MacNN.com Reader
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05/07, 08:04am | report spam | close Reply |
geesh

these forums have become nothing more than a pissing and moaning section.

"No Apple, do this, no Apple do that, me first me first...and then do this and that and make it free"...

They are a lot smarter people than any of y'all out there, so sit back and watch the master plan unfold.

and BTW, to the writer who wrote "This might be the reason why the AIM never got passed beta.."...

...uh..it's PAST beta, not PASSED beta, you k***!

MacNN.com Reader
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05/07, 08:22am | report spam | close Reply |
Re: iChat

If you look CLOSELY at the image of iChat Apple gives us... The last button on the right looks to me to be a toggle on/off for the bubbles...

MacNN.com Reader
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05/07, 08:22am | report spam | close Reply |
Re: iChat

If you look CLOSELY at the image of iChat Apple gives us... The last button on the right looks to me to be a toggle on/off for the bubbles...

MacNN.com Reader
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05/07, 08:27am | report spam | close Reply |
Re: MORON

Did you try removing mail or the adressbook from your system? because you use entourage or another mail app?

Ummm yeah, no problems at all... dragged it all to the GARBAGE and it's GONE. The Mac OS has this amazing capability that Windows doesn't. It's EASY to find what you don't want and remove it. If you're too much of a dumb@$$ to know how to do that, find the box your computer came in, and RETURN it.

MacNN.com Reader
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05/07, 08:46am | report spam | close Reply |
iChat

Of course you're going to be able to remove iChat! Good God. Do you know of ANY product that ships with the OS that you can't remove? You can even remove QuickTime if you want. If they throw in a IM app along with all the other improvements in 10.2, I say more power to them. Try and name me ONE thing Apple added to the OS that you could not remove?

The difference with Microsoft is that you CAN'T REMOVE IE, MSN Messenger (Ok, if you tweak an INF file, MSN Messenger can be uninstalled, but the file is invisible and you get a billion warning no to tamper with it when you try, and other parts of the OS.

Hey anyone notice Win XP now comes with Photo management software, Movie software and allows you to burn CDs directly from Explorer. Where did they ever get these ideas??

drbones666
Registered User

Joined: May 2002

0

05/07, 08:58am | report spam | close Reply |
iChump

The last thing I want to do is chat with a bunch of loser A**holes On Line. Is there going to be some way to filter them out? It would make much more sense to integrate with ICQ or Yahoo Mess.

What is Apple thinking of?????

MacNN.com Reader
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05/07, 09:30am | report spam | close Reply |
InkWell

Interesting story (notice the date!):
http://zdnet.com.com/2100-11-522507.html?legacy=zdnn

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05/07, 10:12am | report spam | close Reply |
re: SMS and iChat

The new Address book in OS X is "Bluetooth compatible" so that it can work with cell phones that are bluetooth. The Address book can call any contact in your book on a bluetooth compatible phone. And as the address book and iChat are "intergrated" the feature you wanted basically exists.

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05/07, 10:34am | report spam | close Reply |
interesting . .

http://www.digitalvideoediting.com/cgi-bin/getframeletter.cgi?%2F2002%2F05_may%2Ffeatures%2Fcw_aeshowdown.htm

johnpaul191
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05/07, 10:37am | report spam | close Reply |
there is more to this....

think about it... AOL opened the AIM servers officially for Apple (adium and the others are not officially allowed there), iChat also looks for other Macs on the network to chat with. a few weeks ago Apple said they will be releasing some sort of video conferencing software (that worked with itools?). the integration with Mail app, and address book (with bluetooth) is really interesting. i think there is also another big thing behind the inkwell story too. seems like a lot of push for handwriting recognition, when you think how many people really own drawing tablets right now. maybe i'm wrong, but i wonder if we will see some sort of input pad built into laptops for taking notes (let alone the soon to be cooking rumors of some ipad or whatever).

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05/07, 11:02am | report spam | close Reply |
Hmmm, iPad

There sure is a lot to be said for iPad rumors now. Alot of the features Apple is adding to OS X would be right at home in a pad type device.

Think about it: 3 devices: iPad, Bluetooth cellphone, Bluetooth headset.

Keep the Bluetooth cellphone in your bag, you'll never need to see it again. All your address/contact/schedule information is stored on your iPad. When you get a call, it pops up notification and caller id on your iPad. You can answer by tapping the "answer" button on the iPad screen or by tapping a button on your headset.

Wanna send SMS? Use the iPad, which, with its Inkwell technology, makes for a much easier text input than even a Nokia with predictive text input.

Gotta take notes while on a call? Simple, use the iPad. Or how about scheduling an appointment while on a call. That's right, iPad.

Manage your contacts? Do it via your Mac's address book app or right on the iPad. Either way, it'll sync right up when they get within a few feet of each other.

This all plays perfectly into Apple's strategy of making technology easier to use. The bluetooth cellphone/headset combo exists today. An iPad would make it all work better and give you better features at the same time. Best of all, Apple would make it all "just work."

Oh, and when the call ends, your iPad will instantly switch back to the MP3 you were listening to.

Got a digital camera? Hook it up via Firewire/USB and download the images to the iPad because when you get back to your desk, it'll sync with iPhoto!

Ah well, maybe someday... Hopefully Apple will make it all possible.

dreamsbegin

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05/07, 12:13pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
picture of ichat

http://www.apple.com/macosx/newversion/

J@ffa
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05/07, 12:17pm | report spam | close Reply |
File Transfer

Is it likely that iChat will support File Transfer? :D

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05/07, 12:47pm | report spam | close Reply |
re: File Transfer

yeah, according to apple:

"As with other chat programs, iChat lets you exchange files and use smileys. "

dkuhlmann

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05/08, 11:29pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
Scripting!? R U JOKING?!

The last thing I would ever want is the ability for people to make any type of bots for iChat. The amount of people that would use them for annoying/p***/advertisement reasons would FAR outweigh those people with good intentions.
Please. no apple script.

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Apple previews new AOL messaging: iChat

updated 03:15 pm EDT, Mon May 6, 2002

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