IM that uses SMS to initiate, data to chat.

[khaytsus]

Are there any IM programs anyone is aware of that can initiate a chat with SMS, but otherwise is offline?

I don't get a lot of chat requests, but I do sometimes chat a bit, and I only have 250 sms. But I find that IM+ uses quite a bit of battery, particularly on HSDPA. If I exit it and just leave FlexMail running (2 idle imap mailboxes) it uses only a few percent of battery an hour vs 10% or so with FM and IM running.

So perhaps there's an IM program out there that is offline until you get an SMS, at which point you can chat over data? Figure it's worth asking. :)

I made a fair attempt at searching, but all I find either use SMS or data, no hybrids.

[khaytsus]

I've continued to look, haven't found anything yet. I have switched to Jabber using transports to see if that lowers data usage, but the jury is still out on that, I'm tracking battery usage right now.

[austinsnyc]

OZ IM from AT-T uses SMS to send its messages not data hence you will be charged per message you send as a SMS.

[khaytsus]

OZ IM from AT-T uses SMS to send its messages not data hence you will be charged per message you send as a SMS.

I guess I wasn't terribly clear.. I want an IM program would do basically this:

Goes online (using data I presume)
Program itself now goes offline (no more data usage)
When I get an IM, I get an SMS which initiates the program going back online
Chat over cellular data
When done with chat, program again goes back offline and waits for another sms

Seems the perfect combination for someone like me who doesn't have a lot of SMS and wants to save on battery life at the same time.

[MrEous]

...but once you receive an SMS doesn't that charge against your original 250?

Curious but, isn't an unlimited/high text message plan fairly affordable? I'm with AT&T and have unlimited texts for $15...and it covers all 5 people on my family plan.

[drawde]

You can fwd your IMs with AIM fowarding, and when you get a text from AIM, login to like Slick or something. Then when you're done, sign off slick. With AIM forwarding on, you'll still be on even if you're technically not "on".

[pmow]

You can fwd your IMs with AIM fowarding, and when you get a text from AIM, login to like Slick or something. Then when you're done, sign off slick. With AIM forwarding on, you'll still be on even if you're technically not "on".

That really IS the best way at the moment. Unfortunately, developers either go for the SMS or the data. SMS cost more usually, and data is not as reliable.

[khaytsus]

...but once you receive an SMS doesn't that charge against your original 250?

Curious but, isn't an unlimited/high text message plan fairly affordable? I'm with AT&T and have unlimited texts for $15...and it covers all 5 people on my family plan.

Hmm, I didn't realize that the $15 unlimited plan covered the whole group. I thought it was per-user. I might have to look into that.

I have 250 for $5 just for myself. Yeah, the initial SMS would come out, but that's not a big deal, I don't get a lot of SMSes or initiated chats, but there are times I need to be contacted to get in touch with someone on IM and aren't near a computer. And at work I don't have personal IM running (except on the Tilt ;-) )

I'll check out your suggestion.. Sounds like that's a good possibility to just go all SMS for the IMing.

[pdtp]

i do believe that AIM has the ability to do this, if you are offline and i wanted to get in touch with you and you have your AIM account setup correctly by providing the profile with your phone number there will be the option to send via text message, at that point you will receive the text message and then get online yourself to talk to the person.

i dont think there is any program that once you receive the text message that it will automatically go online for you.

it may be ICQ i dont remember which client has this capability of sending text but one of them do it.