Hasta La Gadget!

One of the features of iMessage is that it allows an iMessage to be sent as a regular text message in the event that Apple’s servers go down, or if the other party, or yourself, do not have internet at the moment. However it seems that there are reports of iMessage failures in Apple’s Support Communities where users are claiming that some of their iMessages are not sent, or have been unreceived, or sent as a text message on a variety of iPhone devices running on iOS 7. There are also reports on how iMessages aren’t even converted to SMS text messages which could prove to be highly inconvenient for some users of the service.

According to the reports, this is an issue that might have started on the 18th of September, which is when iOS 7 was released to the public, but it seems that whatever the issue is, there are still ongoing reports despite Apple having released the iOS 7.0.2 update. As it stands there is a temporary solution which is to disable iMessage, reset the iPhone’s network settings, and then re-enable iMessage. Some are reporting that this solves their problem but are unsure if this is a permanent fix or a temporary one. Apple has yet to acknowledge this issue, but hopefully an update will be issued soon to correct it.

iOS 7 Users Reporting iMessage Bug That Doesn’t Send Their Messages original content from Ubergizmo.

iMessage is expected to be an exclusive messaging service that allows iOS users to send messages, pictures, and videos to one another, just like how BBM was an exclusive for BlackBerry users. However it looks like one enterprising Android user has managed to port iMessage from the iPhone and bring it onto Android devices, and according to the various reports, it looks like the app works just fine! It seems that the developer managed to trick Apple into thinking it was a legit app by posing it as a Mac mini, and it was discovered by Cydia’s creator that the messages sent are forwarded from Apple to a server in China, presumably to the server run by the creator.

While it is not clear what the developer does with the Apple IDs and passwords being entered to the app, it is probably not the best idea to enter your real Apple ID and password just to be on the safe side. However those who tested the app used newly created Apple IDs and passwords so we guess it is safe. In any case if you’re really interested in getting your hands on the app, hit up the Google Play store for the download, but you should probably think twice before proceeding!

Unofficial iMessage App Arrives On Android, Probably Not The Safest Idea original content from Ubergizmo.

Quietly, gradually, but clearly Apple is building platform lock-in into its iOS products, with some features that are deeper than just a rich third-party software ecosystem. FaceTime Audio is the latest of these, VoIP calling built on the back of its FaceTime video chat service, which is tightly integrated to the phone app to make placing free international calls almost a pleasant surprise for those looking to connect with far-flung loved ones.

FaceTime Audio joins iMessage as another reason to sign on with the Apple camp and get an iPhone or iPad device, and then never to depart again. It’s a little odd to see it arrive so much later than FaceTime’s video calling feature, but the reversal of feature rollout makes a lot of sense ; audio-only calls are uncomfortably close to standard phone calls, which is still one of the sole remaining areas that carriers control.

Apple delivering FaceTime Audio later, as an update to its original FaceTime service probably allowed it more time to mollify carrier partners, and the climate has changed around mobile software and services, too. There’s a new emphasis on data, and OEMs helping carriers drive sales of their own data products, so in that context Apple’s VoIP ambitions are less of a land grab and more of a helpful addition that furthers everyone’s goals.

For many users, FaceTime Audio is going to be nothing short of a revelation. Already, it’s my most-used new feature in iOS 7 with the exception maybe of Control Center. It helps that I’m currently in a different country than most of my friends and family, but it’s not like mine is an isolated case. And unlike in the U.S., carriers in other countries like Canada charge long distance for calling outside of your town or city, let alone for those calls across international borders.

Critics will say that services like Google’s Gmail calling and Skype have offered free international or long-distance calling for years, but Apple’s service is integrated directly into a user’s Phone, Contacts, Messages and FaceTime apps, which they’re already comfortable using, and doesn’t require having a separate account or third-party app open. That makes an immense difference in terms of barriers to usage for people who may not be all that technologically savvy. My less expert family members are already extremely comfortable with FaceTime Audio and how it works, not even a week into the feature’s launch, even if they’d never managed to make a habit of using Skype in the past.

Like BBM once was for BlackBerry, iMessage provides a considerable amount of incentive for users to stay, especially if they have a lot of friends and family also using iOS devices. FaceTime Audio serves the same purpose, and finally destabilizes some of the more draconian practices of carriers charging for so-called “long distance” calls that in actual fact look no different to their infrastructure or back-end, but are sold as “premium” services. It’s a small change, but an amazing one, and represents Apple seeding its users with features that take root and endear them to the platform for a long time to come.

Looks like Apple is having a tricky time of things this morning: its iCloud and iMessage services are currently experiencing difficulties.

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With the launch of iOS 7 which is expected to take place later this year, one of the features Apple will be introducing is the ability to block Apple IDs from iMessage or FaceTime. While the messages can still be sent as regular text, it can help block spammers or maybe that stalker ex of yours. In any case in the meantime it looks like Apple has already begun offering iMessage spam reporting, thanks to a new knowledge base article found on Apple’s website. The method which Apple offers to help block unwanted iMessages is a bit primitive in the sense that it requires the user to take a screenshot of the message and Apple ID, and send an email to Apple who will then investigate the matter. Like we said it’s a bit primitive and a little troublesome, but we guess for those who might be running devices that won’t see the upgrade to iOS 7, this will have to do, at least until Apple figures out a better way.

Like It , +1 , Tweet It , Pin It | Apple Introduces Spam Reporting For iMessage original content from Ubergizmo.