Messages

Add Facebook chat to OS X Messages

Mike Hudson Leave a comment
Facebook chat settings

3D men chattingThe built-in OS X Messages app really is a powerful communication tool, handy for staying in touch with friends and family across a range of chat type technologies.

By default the application supports connecting to:

  1. AIM
  2. Google Talk
  3. Jabber
  4. Yahoo Chat

A lesser known fact is that Facebook chat is actually based on the Jabber platform, which means you can connect to and use the service using nothing but the OS X Messages app.

To add your Facebook chat account to the Messages app:

  1. launch it from your applications folder or spotlight,
  2. Click on the ‘Messages’ menu bar option and then click preferences or CMD and , on your keyboard
  3. Click on the ‘Accounts’ tab, and then click the + symbol at the bottom of the screen
  4. Enter the details as per the screenshot below, replacing the stars with your Facebook profile name and your Facebook account password.
    Facebook chat settings
  5. Then click the Create button.

You should now find you will have an extra list of ‘friends’ showing on your screen. This window is actually named ‘Buddies’ and has lists of contacts from networks outside of the iMessage network.

To start a chat with someone on the Jabber network, simply double-click on their name, or type it in as you would a normal iMessage.

The Messages app comes bundled with OS X Snow Leopard and isn’t available in older versions of OS X.

 

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Add your mobile number to iMessage

Mike Hudson Leave a comment

If you have ever used iMessage on your Mac to send a message to an iPhone the recipient will tell you just how frustrating it is flicking between two message streams.. When you send from your mac, by default it will send from your Apple ID (email address) and not your phone number. Which means the recipient may end up with two separate conversation threads.

Not anymore.. All you need to do is ensure your iPhone is running iOS 6, and your Mac is running OS X 10.8.2.

Launch iMessage on your Mac, navigate to iMessage preferences and then over to the Accounts tab. Now click to add an email address. In the box provided enter your mobile number minus the first 0, now press the tab key on your keyboard. You should see a message pop up suggesting iMessage is going to send an email to the number you have enter. Click to accept the message. Now on your iPhone goto Settings > Messages, and slide iMessage off. Now exit the settings menu. Return to Settings > Messages iPhone and slick iMessage back on. Exit the settings menu and now restart iMessage on your Mac. You should now be greeted with a message explaining your number will now be used to receive iMessages.

Now if you want, you can also set iMessage to also send from your email address, back in preferences under the accounts tab, select your number from the drop down at the bottom of the settings form.

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Hands On: Apple Messages 6.1 (BETA)

Mike Hudson 1 Comment

With the release of iOS 5 came the long awaited ‘iMessage’ system. Enabling iOS devices to send and receive messages using data rather then the normal SMS network. This soon became a big challenger to the ever popular BBM.

Now Apple have taken it one step further, and released Apple Messages for OS X. Apple Messages is soon going to replace OS X’s chat client iChat. Not only is it capable of sending messages to iMessage capable devices, but I can also connect to AIM, Google Chat, Jabber, FaceTime and Bonjour.

What’s more, you can start an iMessage conversation on your Mac, and then take it mobile simply by continuing it on your iOS device.. Any messages sent in Messages for Mac show up in the iMessage app on your device and vice versa. Providing the perfect solution for those who want to stay in touch with their mobile contacts, but perhaps don’t want to have to keep picking up their device.

To get started with Messages for OS X you will need to download the client from Apple’s website or use this link. Once downloaded sign in with your Apple ID, Now on your iOS device, goto Settings > Messages and configure your device to also deliver to your Apple ID, and that’s it. The next message you send an receive will display on both your Mac and your iOS device.

Messages for Mac has a nice simple interface, on the left hand side of the window is a list of all of your current conversations, sorted by most recent first. With your contacts picture and a snippet of the last message sent. On the right hand side is your current conversation, featuring all iMessages sent and received on either your iOS device or your Mac:


Much like iChat the Apple Messages app features customisation options to truly personalise the look and feel, not only can you configure the balloon’s in the chat window, you can switch them from balloons to squares or compact chat windows.

However, it may be worth noting – that once OS X Mountain Lion is released, the BETA version will stop working and the only way to continue using Messages will be to upgrade to Mountain Lion. So those of you who don’t like living life on the bleeding edge, you may find yourself growing to love Messages to then loose it again in summer this year!

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Send SMS Messages from your Mac using your iPhone

Mike Hudson 8 Comments

You may be pleased to know there’s now a much better method – click here

SMS ClientIf you are a heavy user of your iPhone, and like to take advantage of your unlimited text message plan – then this app is for you.. Although I love my iPhone and quite frankly would be lost without it, sometimes it can be quite frustrating taking part in long winded text message conversations with several recipients.

Because of this, applications such as the SMS client exist.. Basically this works in a similar way to my own RAPId SMS application. In the way that an application needs to be running on the device, and one needs to be running on your Mac.
The applications use your Wi-Fi network to communicate, so this essentially gives you the ability to send text messages using your Mac’s keyboard, which makes for much easier and faster texting. If you don’t have a wireless network at your current location you should be able to create a point to point wireless lan.
There is one downside unfortunately, due to security in the iPhone SDK all messages sent must be confirmed on the device. So you will still need some interaction with the unit.
However, the simple/straightforward interface of the client/server software makes up for it. The application ties in nicely with your address book on your Mac, allowing quick and easy selection of your contacts. With a large text field for long winded text messages, and a character count for those of you who are not on unlimited plans.
To get started with the SMS client app, you will need to buy and download an app from the Apple AppStore:
Once you are up and running on your phone, grab a copy of the OS X app from the MacMedia website, now follow the instructions on screen.

Product Requirements:

  • iPhone version requires iOS 4 or later
  • Mac version requires OS X 10.6.4 or later
I have been using this app for a little over 2 days now, and have sent 50+ messages through it without any issues at all. Sure, it could do with the ability to be able to view received messages as well as send messages. However this is no doubt a restriction on the SDK.
The SMS client app has been developed by the people over at MacMediaNet who’s website pays homage to some other nifty applications such as:
If you know of any other free mac to iPhone SMS applications please let me know using the comments facility below

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BETA testers wanted – Windows Mobile Users only

Mike Hudson Leave a comment

Hello

If you are a follower of mine on Facebook or Twitter you will have seen my posts about my RAPId SMS application. Well, stage one of development is nearing completetion, and I nowneed people willing to BETA test the application.

If you are interested you are going to need:
A Windows PC (XPVista)
A Windows Mobile Device
Windows Mobile Device CenterActiveSync

If you would like to be considered for the trial, please contact me using one of the methods on my ‘Contact Me‘ page, once done I will sign you up as a member on MikeSel.info and send you a download link to install the application.

Once installed you will be able to send text messages via your phone directly through ActiveSync from your PC!

Interested? Get in touch!

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