Can you use IMessage on the IPhone 3GS?

In fact, here you are, the facts from Apple themselves:

http://www.apple.com/ios/features.html#imessage

Take the trouble to read it, acquaint yourself with the facts and stop being unhelpful by imparting information that is false. Leave your bad habits from other forums behind and be respectful and kind when posting.

Ok, I read that. Now do me a favor read:

http://www.apple.com/accessibility/iphone/hearing.html

The 4th paragraph (with two iPhone image) see the asterisk after the word unlimited.

Now check below what the asterisk means. Well I save you the trouble.

*Normal carrier data rates may apply. Messages may be sent as SMS when iMessage is unavailable; carrier messaging fees apply.

The above is from Apple. I hope you know what I am talking above.

iMessage is like SMS so no change of habits. No need to learn anything new.

Apple uses 2 paths to complete that task.

1. If the recipient also has IOS5 and Wi-Fi is available. The text message will be in a blue bubble.

2. If Wi-Fi is not available or recipient is not a IOS5 device then in uses cell-data and the text message will be in green.

I have no idea why you keep repeating this fallacy.

If iMessage is enabled, iMessages will be sent by either wifi or 3G data. As the OP is asking about iMessage on an iPhone 3Gs, this is relevant.

If the recipient has updated to iOS 5 and has enabled iMessage then an iMessage will be sent using either wifi OR 3G data; messages will indeed be in blue as will be the send button.

iMessage is not exclusive to wifi; as long as all parameters are in place an iMessage will be sent by the handset's 3G data connection or by wifi, if connected to wifi.

A message will be sent by SMS if the recipient is not on iOS 5 or if the recipient is neither connected to wifi or on 3G data in which case the message will automatically send as SMS IF "send as SMS" is enabled in settings/messages on an iPhone.

The post is addressed to all of us.

The OP has no right to be misled by you.

iMessages will be sent either by 3G data or wifi and no matter how many times you repeat it, your "view" that it is a wifi-specific service is and will remain, wrong.

This is the 3rd time you have insulted me on these forums, something that is not normally done here. I see you have joined only recently so I will let it pass for now.

I cannot help it if you cannot grasp this simple fact. There is no "decision" to be made. There are only facts. iMessage is a service that is available to all users of iPhone 3Gs, 4 and 4s as well as iPad 3G using either cellular data or wifi.

I hope that is clear enough.

So you think yours is a fact, move on. Ignore my post will you. I have every right to my opinion and I'm not trying to help you. Help others, don't waste your tme on me. I have been using computer since 1985 and you think you know better. Bark on a different tree and just leave me alone.

It is a fact and as you well know, I am not the only one to have corrected you on it. I am not interested how long you have been using computers only on imparting information that's both helpful and correct. I am therefore helping others by correcting the mistake that you keep repeating on these forums: that iMessage is only available via wifi. It is not, it is available by cellular data as well. It is a matter of fact and is easily verified so your stubbornness is totally incomprehensible.

All iPod Touch 4th Gen. and all iPad without 3G (of cause IOS5) can use iMessage and they all depend on Wi-Fi. Furthermore not everyone has a unlimited text plan. In this forum, I came across many post complaining that they have a very high telco bills because they think iMessage is limitless.

ckuan wrote:

*Normal carrier data rates may apply. Messages may be sent as SMS when iMessage is unavailable; carrier messaging fees apply.

How can iMessage be unavailable? Because Wi-Fi is not there. Got it now.

Incorrrect.

Apple's iMessage service can be unavailable at the time - due to Apple's iMessage servers having a termporary problem at the time as an example, or an iMessage recipient having iMessage turned off on their iPhone at the time, etc.

If two iPhone owners running iOS 5 with iMessage enabled and registered with their iPhone are connected to their cellular network for internet access and Apple's iMessage service is available at the time, the message will be exchanged at an iMessage - cellular data or internet access applies.

Wi-Fi access for both is required for FaceTime, but not for iMessage.

Alright, can you please explain it to me what the quote means.

Apple source:

*Normal carrier data rates may apply. Messages may be sent as SMS when iMessage is unavailable; carrier messaging fees apply.

I want to understand.

Sorry, but that is incorrect. If you send a text using iMessage and are not connected to WiFi, your phone will use your 3G connection to send AS a iMessage. iMessage is a service (just like BBM) so what they mean is that if the "service" happens to be unavailable, your phone will automatically send as a SMS.

"Nornal carrier data rates may apply" - when connected to your carrier's cellular network for internet access - no different when using any other app that requires internet access. When browsing the web with Safari or when downloading/sending email when connected to your carrier's cellular network for internet access, normal carrier data rates apply. The same applies when exchanging iMessages when connected to your carrier's cellular network. Normal carrier data rates apply when exchanging regular MMS with the iPhone.

Have you ever heard of servers being temporarily down or servers having a temporary problem? If not, you live on another planet. I venture to say Apple's iMessage servers will have a problem from time to time with some being pulled off line - no different when Apple has server problems with these discussions and Apple takes them offline for a short time, etc. The same may apply with Apple's iMessage servers - they may be unavailable for a short period of time from a server crashing or some of the servers being taken offline for maintenance, etc. When that occurs, iMessage will be unavailable for some users. When this occurs when exchanging messages, carrier messaging fees will apply for those that select "Send as SMS" for an iMessage when iMessage is unavailable.

Being connected to an available wi-fi network IS NOT REQUIRED for iPhone users to exchange iMessages.

This is not rocket science and should not be that difficult to comprehend.

Good. This it what it means.

iMessage is a data service which is usable whenever data is available. This means that if you are the owner of an iPhone or a 3G iPad you may use the service either over domestic or public wifi (like iPod touch and iPad wifi-only) OR via your carrier's 3G data connection.

To clarify: If I am walking down the street and I wish to send you an iMessage to your iPod touch, iPad or iPhone that has both iOS 5 and iMessage, then I can, using my data connection without the need of wifi.

However: if you were in a remote area at the time and temporarily on a 2G connection, then my message to you would convert from iMessage to SMS and be sent as such if "send as SMS" is enabled in settings/messages.

If you do not wish for this to happen then you should turn the latter setting to off (say in the case of expensive international SMS).

iMessage may not be available when all of the conditions are not met: if you are not connected to wifi or are not currently in a 3G area then it may not work in which case a message could then be sent as SMS.Carrier charges may apply if your iMessage is sent as an SMS and you do not have a text bundle or are out-of-bundle.

But be very clear: Messages are sent either as iMessage or SMS -they are not sent "through" iMessage but either AS iMessage or AS SMS. In the normal scheme of things, if you wish to send an iMessage and if your button is blue, then you're good to go -either by 3G or wifi.

Not everyone has an unlimited data bundle of course, so the time may come, after excessive use that you may wish to curtail your sending of iMessages, because at this point your "free" messages will be costing you per Kb.

That however, is quite another issue. The point is that iMessage is free to use to other contacts who benefit from the system over both wifi and 3G.There is no need of wifi unless you only have an iPod touch or a wifi iPad. The service is not exclusive to wifi but may be enjoyed by users of both methods of sending data.