For me, messages sent over the IM client count as text messages rather than data. Thus, signing up for unlimited texting allows me unlimited use of the IM client.
BoringJames
@BoringJames
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RE: AT&T Has randomly decided to disable the most-used feature of my phone.
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AT&T Has randomly decided to disable the most-used feature of my phone.
I don't consider myself all that technically savvy, so please go easy on me. But I just absolutely had to share this, as it is the stupidest thing I have heard in a long time.
Today I received a text message on my phone: "On 6/28/12, the IM Service accessed via the icon on your device will no longer be supported. For other options visit http://www.att.com/mobileim"
I raised an eyebrow and checked the page... and proceeded to repeatedly bang my head against the desk. I bought a budget phone for the sole sake of typing lots of text messages while I'm away from the keyboard. I did not purchase a data plan, but an unlimited texting plan, and Mobile AIM / MSN was my phone's most-used feature. The WTF isn't that they're using "enforced obsolescence" and making me buy a new smartphone, it's how [i]obvious[/i] they're making it that they have absolutely no reason to do this.
WTF #1: "Steady decline in instant messaging on non-smartphones". Yeah, I'd like to see the numbers here, because otherwise this doesn't mean anything to me except "more smartphones exist now". I'm betting that the only declining numbers involved are sales figures.
WTF #2: Just the phrase "non-smartphones". Okay, so what exactly [i]is[/i] a smartphone? My Pantech Link is a budget phone, yes, but it has apps, an internet browser, an IM client, an E-mail client, calendar, camera, and a friggin GPS. The only other differences I can think of between my phone and a "smartphone" is that a "smartphone" costs a lot of money. Oh, and perhaps most smartphones have a touchscreen too... except most models of Blackberry, which is AT&T's top-line smartphone series. Yeah, I'm betting it's money.
WTF #3: Here's where my technical knowledge fails me, so correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't AIM basically a [i]protocol[/i]? That's how programs like Trillian can exist, because indie programmers can use the AIM protocol to connect with the official AIM servers using their own clients. So why the hell does it matter what kind of device is [i]using[/i] the protocol? If I have an AIM app on my phone, and a connection to my service provider, and that service provider is still honoring AIM communications from other models of phone besides mine, just what reason does AT&T have to kick me out besides the obvious fact that they want me to shell out for a brand new phone?
To me, it's kind of like if Microsoft said "We have noticed a steady decline in the number of Windows 98 users, as users find new ways to do their computing. Therefore, starting next month, HTML will no longer be supported on machines running Windows 98. Check Microsoft.com for upgrading options."
The only way this would make any kind of sense is if AT&T has a bunch of servers that specifically connect with "non-smartphones" and relay text messages to the AIM servers, and they are deciding that they want to shut these specific servers down. But I find it highly unlikely, especially since MSN / Windows Live Messenger is also getting shut down on my phone, despite it being a completely different protocol.
Is AT&T really just blatantly screwing me over, or Is there something I'm just not seeing here?