Proprietary IM’ing … what’s the deal? [ChatOn, iMessenger, BBM, fring, etc…]

From Wikipedia:  Instant messaging (IM) is a form of real-time direct text-based chatting communication in push mode between two or more people using personal computers or other devices, along with shared clients. The user’s text is conveyed over a network, such as the Internet. More advanced instant messaging software clients also allow enhanced modes of communication, such as live voice or video calling and inclusion of links to media.

Okay, I know I’ve ranted on about this stuff before, but I would really like somebody to answer me on this? Without sounding to ‘seinfeld’… WHAT’S THE DEAL WITH ALL THESE PROPRIETARY IM apps?  It reminds me of all those old radio programs that would get you to get their secret decoder rings so that you could send messages to your friends that only you could interpret.

I thought it was bad enough when we used to use ICQ and then Messenger came out? Which program do I use, which friends have which? Now it’s becoming ungodly complicated to try to keep it all together.

I don’t know about you, but I have a Live Messenger account, a Google Talk account, Skype, Facebook Chat and even an old ICQ address still kicking [anybody use ICQ?].  Oooh, and Google+’s new Messenger service.  That doesn’t even start to count text or email [of which I have dozens of email accounts].  I have these as, they usually came with some other version of email or a service.  I haven’t gotten rid of them as there are select friends I have on each of those services [my parents use Messenger, we here at AiC use gTalk to converse, FB messenger for most of my friends and the odd Skype for teaching].

To lop off one of the services, cuts me off from some of my friends.  But there’s a greater sense of fragmentation going on [even more so than Android itself].  So this is why I cringe whenever I hear about another IM program.  Tho’ my list here isn’t exhaustive, it is exhausting to try to keep up with.

• iOS is the latest offender with their iMessenger program.  Essentially a nice IM program between iUsers [see what iDid there?].  Now, fanboys being fanboys, most likely they will talk only with other iUsers – I think it’s one of the creeds of signing up for an iDevice.  No Android app yet
• ChatOn – now not available in Canada yet, Samsung has built this service to let you talk with other users of ChatOn.  So it has to be something you sign up for outside of a device even.  But it’s a Samsung developed app, so it’s meant for some mobile device. App available, but not in Canada
• BBM – the be-all and end-all cry for any BB user these days about why they are superior.  Ask any BB user why they stick with it [and not just because they saw that RMR video] and they say it’s because of BBM.  Again, it only works with other BB users.  Should you want to communicate outside of that BB circle, you’ll have to use regular text.  Apparently this app is coming soon.
• Skype (or Fring) – not only for other Skype – to – Skype, if you pay you can get Skype to phone calls.  Because of that feature, I think this makes it the most versatile.
• Kik / LiveProfile etc… – just re-iterates of the above, where it’s an IM app you put together for only a select circle of other people.  Just google “cross platform” in the Market and you’ll find tons.
• Live Messenger – great for other Windows Live users.  No native app, but you can find it as a bundle with many MULTI-IM apps, or ports of the mobile web version.
• Google Talk – for the GMail users out there
• FB Messenger – Facebook users now have a separate app [because the regular app has a spot for messaging already] for this kind of conversation.  I don’t quite understand.
• Google Messenger – for the Google+ users out there
• etc… etc…

So, there’s plenty of options for those that just like one type of IM, but if you’re like me, you have several services you want to use, so what do you do?  You have to have several apps ready to go at all times.  This can be a real drain on your phone to leave running ALL THE TIME, or you can have them ready to launch when you need [see my screenshot].

But that can be a pain too.  ”oh, hey, let’s talk to charlie, let me go load up… ooh, he’s on… Kik I think… one second”

So what are the multi-IM options?

So, somebody, please explain to me why the proprietary ones are really any better if they’re only for a select market?  If iMessenger encompasses ALL your contacts, then great.  Same with the new ChatOn – if everybody signs up for it, then I’ll use it.  Until then I’ll stick with the multi-IM apps for the services I do use, and MAYBE have one or 2 on their own.  But if another company comes out with YET ANOTHER proprietary IM app… I think I’ll scream

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