yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Android Apps and Games] Shadow_Coder:
Okay so here's the deal. I'm a BlackBerry to Android convert and I miss my BBM. So my new project is a BBM for the Android. I won't promise that I'll actually get it to work but I have every intention of it. So here's what I want to know: What do you all want in it?

What do you think would be a good name? The more professional the better obviously. I want the messenger to be taken seriously. (I'm pretty much clueless here, I suck with names. Read my screen name, you'll understand.)

What functions do you want to have? (EX. Location parameter where the messenger tells you when you're close to a friend.)

Let me know what you want out of it. For the moment I'm creating an outline of the functions that I plan for it to have which are as follows:

Messaging

- Sent over Internet connection not via text message

- Threading (Bubbles, divisions)

- See sent/delivered/read status

- Group Chat (Without Invite)

- Group Chat (With Invite)

Contacts

- Ability to add standard contacts

- Unique Pin to each divice

- - Barcode Scanner to add contacts

Status Updates

- Ability (Choice) to sync with twitter/facebook

- Show current music selection

- Show Busy/Available Orb

- Sync Busy/Available Status with Google calendar

Location Settings

- Update/Share Location with other contacts

- Ping/Alert of Contacts near you

- Show all contacts on map

Maybe Added

- Video Chat

(I don't really have a way to test this since I only have a Droid Eris but I'll see what I can do after I get a nice stable app.)

What other suggestions do you have?

And yes I'm aware of the messengers like pingchat and Hello so stop telling me to use those please.

Current Suggested Names:

A2M - Android - Android Messenger (A^2 M. When it was explained to me it was like A squared (A^2 = AA))

ADM - Android Messenger

ARC - Android Relay Chat

DMA - Droid Messenger App

DAM - Droid Alert Messenger (probably won't be used because of abbreviation)

DRC - Droid Relay Chat

ADM is the obvious choice but I was hoping for something more unique/catchy...whatever. Please keep suggesting names. I'm working on the app every free moment I have.

In most likely hood the first beta will be on my Droid and those of my friends so I can see it first hand (how it behaves, speed, battery drain etc.) and not release a defective pile of code. Pretty much everybody will see this on the market rather than me posting it here but I may do both. I don't know. We'll see when that time comes. For the mean time I'll make a beta list anyway.

Beta Test List:

Pretty much anyone that asks

As for those who have said that they hope I go through with this: I will. It's going to take a while. I work full time and I'm a full time college student. This may not happen soon but it will happen.
[Android Apps and Games] megan23247:
Oh this would be awesome! I would use it. :D
[Android Apps and Games] phantomzer0:
Not trying to be a downer, but don't we already have this... gtalk?
[Android Apps and Games] Shadow_Coder:
Yeah I suppose, but personally, I'm just not a fan of Gtalk.

I may sound conceited saying this but, I liked then fact that BBM was pretty much exclusive to the BlackBerry. I miss that exclusivity. Everyone can use Gtalk.

Plus Gtalk doesn't have all of the features that I intend to add.

But you're not the first person to say that I and do see the point
[Android Apps and Games] maxxve:
I'd definitely give it a try too. I was a die-hard blackberry addict as well and BBM was a great tool to have. One major benefit was how fast it was (unless BB servers were down) In your app I'd hope to see high speed from phone to phone. Good luck!
[Android Apps and Games] SoCalSpecialist:
i dig it.

im all for it.
[Android Apps and Games] ConstantineXVI:
The reason BBM was so fast was that it totally bypasses the public Internet and goes straight through RIM's servers.

Honestly, Talk/Latitude. Without a private network such as BIS, there is zero practical advantage to such a system. Building an exclusive club just to feel special is childish and a waste of talent.
[Android Apps and Games] Shadow_Coder:
Everything is a matter of perception I suppose. You see it as a waste of talent, I see it as putting a talent to use. If you read the comments, there are several in favor of the idea. Maybe they along with myself simply just don't know better, but it doesn't hurt to try does it?

If I can use what I have to make a useful tool then I will. I'm not promising anything from this. It may work and it may not. I simply want a messenger that has as much functionality as the BBM. It's not totally about exclusivity. I freely admit that if it were solely for that reason, it would be a childish motive, but it's about having something that can increase productivity as well.
[Android Apps and Games] kwazi:
uhhh you might want to check out hellomessenger. It's already available for blackberry and iPhone (even supports BIS on the blackberry), and a public beta for Android should be out soon...

anyways just my two cents. I wanted to write the same thing till I found out about hellomessenger. No point reinventing the wheel :P

*EDIT* errr my bad.. you already know about hellomessenger.
[Android Apps and Games] kemimarie:
I would use this!!!! I love this idea!
[Android Apps and Games] khaytsus:
Write an app that supports Yahoo, AIM, MSN, and Jabber (GTalk, Facebook, etc) and STAYS CONNECTED and doesn't use a boatload of data/battery. I don't care about much else as long as the client itself is designed decently.

I'd just use a Jabber client with connectors but Jabber still isn't very mobile friendly in terms of data usage, therefore battery usage.

And to stay connected and not use a lot of data almost requires a central server which proxies the connections.. Even if you lose connectivity on the phone for a moment (or minutes) your stay online and get connections.. And the central server handles all of the ping/pong, presence, all that nonsense that moves significant data.

I still miss Verichat on PalmOS. It was almost perfect.
[Android Apps and Games] Shadow_Coder:
Haha Yup

I already know but it's still a valid point
[Android Apps and Games] sintaku:
Are you trying to say you want a multi-chat client which stays connected all the time but doesn't use a lot of data/battery?

Having the data network connection or wifi connection will drain battery... So having it connected all the time will drain "boatload" of battery...

Thats why apps have a sync option... where they sync every x minutes or hours... the more time between syncs the less data and battery life used.

Simple.
[Android Apps and Games] gogol:
The latest beta of the WhatsApp uses Android Push (C2DM) ... It does not poll :)

So yes, it does not drain battery "unless" a message is pushed
[Android Apps and Games] xtort1417:
Ok not to be the one who really is a downer here but if you are a talented app dev I would spend your time elsewhere, for all those on this thread, I read about an app that does this the other day. Delivery/Read icons, group chats, send files, images etc. Called PingChat. Reviewer says main issue is getting people on it. This is cross platform as well. I can't post a link yet so look up pingchat
[Android Apps and Games] khaytsus:
Nonsense. An idle data network connection = No drain. Wifi I don't use. I already have K9 Mail, Weather, etc syncing...

What I was asking for, which I thought was abundantly clear, was one which filters most traffic and only talks to the client or the client talks to the server as necessary and the server side otherwise handles the bulk of the normal traffic.

And there are IM apps with a "sync" option? Really? Name one.
[Android Apps and Games] raul1905:
as long as is compatible with bbm pin #
[Android Apps and Games] DaanJordaan:
RIM won't like that;)

They wan't BBM to stay exclusive on BB's ofcourse. I know it's bull****, but that's the way they sell so they won't ever give up the rights to BBM. If you wan't to connect with BB users, you have to make this app cross-platform like pingchat or whatsapp.
[Android Apps and Games] rodriguez27:
so if there is already pingchat and whatsapp.. then why make another one?
[Android Apps and Games] ajones7279:
Won't happen. BBM is closed protocol and goes over RIM's servers....nothing else can connect to it. Otherwise someone would have made an app with this functionality already.
[Android Apps and Games] dynamikd:
Agreed, there aren't any IM apps that do this and if this guy can develop one, I'll be the fist to download it.

Sent from my R00T3D T-Mobile MyTouch 3G §lide
[Android Apps and Games] eatkabab:
Write a program that hacks into the BBM app on Blackberries and can insert contacts/messages into the app itself on the fly. Then replicate all of BBM for iPhone/Android/WebOS.

In order to add a BBerry user PIN to your Android/iPhone/WebOS BBM app (and vice versa), the BBerry user must install the hack. (needless to say, the android version would communicate with the BBM hack)

This way, BBM is left alone, still exclusive for RIM in all they ****tyness, and if you run into someone that you want to add to your list, you just install the hack for them (by going to a website and hitting "install" simply).

Although I don't see chatrooms being possible with this method unless the hack is sophisticated enough to use the one person on your contact list as a proxy for all that is going on in the chat room. Seeing as how all RIM hardware sucks (except for the keyboards), this may significantly slow down that one persons phone.
[Android Apps and Games] Lukehluke:
Sounds like an interesting idea but I am not sure how many people would go for it.
[Android Apps and Games] supasye:
Download whatsapp for android, the beta is around, ive been talking to ppl on their bbs.
[Android Apps and Games] gogol:
But your bbs friends must have WhatsApp installed :)
[Android Apps and Games] jamesey10:
bbm is essentially a low level IRC chat. there is a server (blackberry) and you have your room (irc channel).

pingchat is really close to working like this, but right now there isn't an android app that gets it quite right.
[Android Apps and Games] jackfrost909:
This guy (cant post links: www dot blueplanetapps dot com/products/CrossTalk.aspx) claims to have it already: GTalk, AIM, MSN, Facebook and

BBM
[Android Apps and Games] ajones7279:
I'll believe it when I see it. http://www.blueplanetapps.com/products/CrossTalk.aspx
[Android Apps and Games] naissusnis:
Than would be great

I am also BLackberry to Android guy (les the two weeks)

And i am missing NNM

But i dont think that u will be able to make that project work

As u know BBM is tided to PIN

And PIN is RIM exclusive.

Also that pin have to be registered with RIM.

U might be able to make to send but i dont see how u will create PIN for android devices.

RIM will not register thise PINs to their databases.

Any way good luck
[Android Apps and Games] ajones7279:
He's not saying he's trying to make an app that will communicate with BlackBerry users. He's talking about creating something similar to BBM that will be exclusive to Android users, hence "ADM" Android Messenger.
[Android Apps and Games] Mitch_s_s:
Whatsapp

Good enough, blackberry and iPhone users can use it too
[Android Apps and Games] abanh:
I've been testing pingchat, and Android-android and Android-iphone work pretty well. Android-blackberry has been slow. Haven't tested iPhone-blackberry yet.

Hopefully things will improve.
[Android Apps and Games] ajones7279:
I think you guys are missing the point. He knows about all these. What he wants to do is something exclusive to ONLY Android like RIM has BBM. You could say GTalk, but everyone can use that and it doesn't have all of the features he's planning to implement (this is all on the first page).
[Android Apps and Games] indromojo:
i think most of my friends already using WHATSAPP to communicate between iphone, android, and bbm now
[Android Apps and Games] Shadow_Coder:
Thank you, people who can read.

My goal is NOT to make something that will communicate *with* BBM but *like* BBM. So as far as registering pins with RIM im not concerned with.

I intend to have PIN numbers for users but I plan to associate that PIN not with the phone itself, but with the user email. This way if the user changes his/her phone, they don't have to re-add all of their contacts, they will be associated and backed up using their email.

As for GTalk. I use it fairly frequently. So do many others. You can also sign out of GTalk and can then no longer receive messages through it. With the ADM I am trying to make it so that it will run in the background and have the messages pushed so it will save battery strength and deliver messages in a timely manner without bad delay.
[Android Apps and Games] illmaticz:
well looking forward to it dude best of luck
[Android Apps and Games] trillonometry:
I like the idea, but honestly I would love to see a Google Voice SMS app... essentially it's the same thing since it sends via data.. also your GVoice number would be your "PIN" ... this would also be very unique to android since it's google and iphone and blackberry have very crappy or no support for GVoice... plus its FREE messaging even to other Phone numbers!!

not to mention the native google voice messaging is not quite as streamlined as i would like
[Android Apps and Games] dysprosi:
The google voice widgets included with the G2 ripped version (found on this forum) work well for texting.
[Android Apps and Games] hurdler307:
if you could make it interact with bbm users that would be awesome!! but I don't know how that would work. hmmm
[Android Apps and Games] nolageek:
How about 5x5 (five by five) as a name, I've always thought it'd be a good name for a messenger. (Its radio speak for a message that was sent loud and clear.)
[Android Apps and Games] ironlood:
Hmm this sounds like an interesting app gonna haver too get my has on

hands

As for names how about

APM- Android Push Messenger

APM- all points messenger

SEmeNT-Social Environment messaging network

STS- social text system

STD- Straight to device

ARC- Android Relay Chat

Sent from my SGH-T959
[Android Apps and Games] ljimenez92:
another good function would be like how the bbm u can see if the other person read the message =]. would deff use
[Android Apps and Games] Ep3n3wp:
How about using the google api to have push notifications? That way the app will sleep and only wake when a message us pushed to the phone... I believe that's how it works... Also you gotta include some type of vid chat since almost all new phones coming with ffc..

For a name I would say...

AmPm= android mobile push messenger..

But I'm sure ampm is trade marked lol

I like the assigned pins A00000-A99999

Ps I got dibs on A00001 haha..

I think this is api info.. i think it might have to be tweeked a little

http://code.google.com/apis/feed/push/
[Android Apps and Games] davebu:
Put me on the beta list for sure, testing out some of the other chat apps people mentioned in this thread, but feature wise I really like your idea, just hope you go through with it.
[Android Apps and Games] zapyourit:
Ditto and ditto. I was thinking maybe AAM (Awesome Android Messenger or Android-Android Messenger) as a name just to poke fun at BBM and their closed source *****ness.
[Android Apps and Games] hayer:
Droid Messenger App (DMA)

Android Alert Messenger (AAM)

I'd love to sign up for the beta sign up
[Android Apps and Games] samy.3660:
I too like the idea.. put me on the beta test list.

Open chat- OP

androchat

MyMessenger- MM

Ilove Messenger

Chatable
[Android Apps and Games] ironlood:
Oh yeah beta list for me too

Sent from my SGH-T959
[Android Apps and Games] sandpaperback:
RE: Naming

I like the AAM suggestion best. ADM is good, but there's potential for the Adium folks to get upset.
[Android Apps and Games] ajones7279:
I'll definitely be a tester...
[Android Apps and Games] flashman2002:
I'll be a tester for both of my phones.

Sweet life
[Android Apps and Games] AndroHero:
let me try pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeseeeeeeeee:D
[Android Apps and Games] azurikai:
i'm definitely digging this idea, i'd beta test if you need.
[Android Apps and Games] ringer13:
ill beta test as well
[Android Apps and Games] samy.3660:
thanks for the listing..

i think Chatable or ADM(Android Messenger) would be great.
[Android Apps and Games] mdhscanes24:
Very good idea. I'm still kinda new here but if you're in need of testers I would love to help.

Keep us all in mind for testing :D
[Android Apps and Games] obfu:
Sounds like an interesting idea, especially using C2DM to reduce network usage and battery drain.

While I agree that gTalk doesn't fit your stated goals (the improvements you want to add as well as exclusivity and the use of PIN numbers rather than usernames), I think that the underlying technology might suit your purposes. XMPP (aka Jabber) already has support for many of the features you are looking for, and would remove the need for developing a new chat standard. If you run your own closed XMPP server (think facebook chat), you could use pins instead of usernames. A CRC32 hash would work well, I think, and it could be a hash of the user's e-mail if you don't want it to be tied to a particular device. There are already standards for complex status messages, avatars, read recipts, multi-user chat, location notifications and video chat and the extensibility to add anything else you might need.

I have done some work with XMPP myself, which is probably why I think it would work well, and would be happy to help on that front if you are interested.
[Android Apps and Games] sgosiaco:
I can beta test!!!
[Android Apps and Games] Braidonh:
Ill also beta test.
[Android Apps and Games] iflip:
I'd use this app. I left behind a slew of bbm contacts when I went android. Any app that will enable me to reconnect with my bbm contacts is alright with me. I don't care how ugly it is.
[Android Apps and Games] iflip:
****. And create a bb android theme while your at it. All of the current ones suck! Make one that its athletically pleasing. Ill even donate if its good enough. Everyone wants iphone themes. I'm so over them. I love the android functionality, love the overall look of bbos, but hate the limitations of it.
[Android Apps and Games] ajones7279:
You're not reading.
[Android Apps and Games] chibixzero:
I'm down to use/test something like this. Also how bout STSNBM

Simply The **** No Bull**** Messenger :0
[Android Apps and Games] branded:
I didn't read through all 7 pages of this thread, but I am interested... are you aware of how difficult it would be to program this?

I did a quick search for blackberry messenger API, and it looks like you'll have to basically port the entire library of blackberry PIN authentication over, then get it to connect to BIS/BES with a PIN... and in order to do this, you'd need to make sure that your device(s) have access to a Blackberry gateway... specifically, I had tried using Blackberry Connect on a Windows Mobile device on VZW several years ago, and since I wasn't provisioned for Blackberry Internet Service support (a blackberry plan), I couldn't access their Blackberry gateway.

Basically, without this, then no one can use BIS.
[Android Apps and Games] ironlood:
I think the object was to create a push messaging service SIMILAR to BBM but just for android not too actually connect to the BBM network

Unless I've misunderstood something along the way

Sent from my SGH-T959
[Android Apps and Games] ajones7279:
No, you're right.
[Android Apps and Games] incredulous:
SO if you had actually bothered to read it, you would know he is not trying to or planning to interfere with the RIM relay in anyway.

Simply making an IM app exclusive to Android.

I will beta test if need be. Have an N1 and G1 so can try on multiple DPIs and also to test latency and speed between clients.
[Android Apps and Games] l0uisz:
:eek: DUDE THIS WILL BE AWESOME! IAM TOTALLY FOR IT! lol :D and yes i WAS yelling because i read this whole topic and i have always thought some developer should attempt this...i will beta test for you put me on the list ive subscribed to this topic! GOOD LUCK i'am " ROOTING for ya! " HA! get it? LOL! :D
[Android Apps and Games] infrared90:
I'm using my first post to say that a team of us have this EXACT idea...
[Android Apps and Games] thatkidjoe:
Sounds cool. I'm gonna beta :)
[Android Apps and Games] trangoul:
Amazing project.
[Android Apps and Games] Turague:
my vote is for the name ADM, I think having it similar to BBM will familarize individuals with it faster than having it called something completely different.

Best of luck to you.
[Android Apps and Games] kick069:
I'm always interested in apps like this but have you guys not heard about Ping!chat its available for iphone, android ,and blackberry. If every smartphone user would just install that app we would have solved the cross-platform chat issue.
[Android Apps and Games] jamesey10:
pingchat is close, but not quite what BBM is. in pingchat, everytime I get a new friend, and want to add him to an already ongoing group chat, i have to close the group chat, and reinvite everyone into a new chat.

BBM also had a pretty slick, color coded, media friendly, interface
[Android Apps and Games] mo2002:
the location settings eh, if u can toggle it on off or if itll follow suit with making fake locations then yea

the main focus that would make this appeal would be if it could

create chats like BBM

send pictures in those chats (or standard 1to1 messaging) like BBM

thas basically all it would need to stand tall. everything else is just unnecessary

i can follow suit with others stating i would be open for alpha and beta testing i have a g1, cliq, hd2 runnin android, and my gf has the vibrant.
[Android Apps and Games] DGolom:
Agreed. Permanent chat groups are the one thing I miss about BBM.
[Android Apps and Games] jackfrost909:
How about D2D ('Droid to 'Droid) for a name?

I'm on an EVO, my brother and a couple friends too. I might be going to an Epic. Either way I could help w/ testing.

J.
[Android Apps and Games] Phace:
Any movement on this app? If so where do i follow the progression?
[Android Apps and Games] doc_v15:
This is a great idea!

i suggest:

- file transfer (jpeg, apk, mp4, etc)
[Android Apps and Games] kekkle:
Whats wrong with using PingChat or WhatsApp?

They both got most features covered and are both free. (WhatsApp is free for first year)
[Android Apps and Games] TamiaSky:
i would totally love this and i went from bb to and android also and i totally miss my bbm. i had tons of bbm friends and i love being able to see what they're listening to, so i can beg them to send me some songs lol
[Android Apps and Games] iomthd:
I'd like to test this as well!
[Android Apps and Games] Davidandroid:
Great work, i am sure will give it a shot
[Android Apps and Games] VDub2174:
This sounds like a great idea!! Been looking for something that is as customizable as BBM but haven't found it yet.

I'd be happy to test this out.
[Android Apps and Games] gandhisfist:
have you guys seen kik? its a cross platform copy of bbm
[Android Apps and Games] VDub2174:
I just recently saw that. How do you like it?
[Android Apps and Games] xr4v3nx:
Add me to the Beta Tester List :D
[Android Apps and Games] Taha24:
To me the most important feature you should have is persistent group chat. I didn't see you mention that in your list of features, or maybe I missed it. But I must say that's easily the best thing about BBM, the rest of the features there are a dozen others apps that do it just fine.

But having a persistent group chat (not the crappy kind in Gtalk app that you have to invite people everytime you want to group chat) would be a great feature. The only app I know that does it currently is PingChat and its a very half assed app. Their username system is horrible (no way to retrieve username when you switch phones/reinstall app...wtf?) and its just ugly.

So if you actually make a well made app with BBM like group chat, you'd have one hell of a differentiator.

And as far as I know Hello Messenger will have group chat while WhatsApp says they are working on it.
[Android Apps and Games] roccoadam32:
if this included facebook chat aim and msn i would be better than everything on the market