iMessage

iOS 5 is one of the biggest software updates Apple has ever released for their mobile operating system, with changes almost too many to enumerate (we've tried!).

Siri is the first step in taking the digital assistant out of sci-fi and into reality. iMessage bypasses the exorbitant carrier text charges and brings iOS users, all over the world, one step closer to BBM-like instant messaging. Notification Center finally brings iOS alerts out of the dark ages. Newsstand put most of our newspapers and magazines all in one place. PC-free along with Wi-Fi sync cuts the cord to iTunes and takes us to the iCloud, where all our data gets stored and pushed and backed up. Reminders brings task management to iOS. The camera app is now fast to access and faster to take shots with.

While there will always be features we wish for next time, from message previews to fast text response to themes to a whole lot more, this year, these are your choices.

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iOS developer @Gojohnnyboi discovered some code in iOS 5.0.1 that could indicate iChat -- Apple's Mac OS X instant messenger client -- functionality may be coming to iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch down the road.

Although the new iMessage feature in iOS 5 doesn't hook into the same chat services mentioned in the code, it would make a lot of sense for Apple to ultimately streamline the iChat, FaceTime, and iMessage into a single service across Apple devices.

Taken a bunch of great photos with your brand new iPhone -- or photos with your new iPad or iPod touch -- and wondering how to share them with the people you know? There are several ways, including Mail and Twitter, but you can easily use Apple's new iMessages service for free, or old style MMS if your friend or family member doesn't yet have an iOS 5 device of their very own.

If you already know how to do this, just save the link for family and friends who might not! (We'll do the helping so you don't have to!)

According to “sources familiar with the future of Mac OS X”, AirPlay Mirroring and iMessage are both set to make an appearance in the not too distant future. The sources, talking to 9to5Mac claim that both of these applications are in development although they could be shelved just as easily.

AirPlay Mirroring would certainly be a welcome addition to the Mac OS X platform, allowing a user to mirror the screen of their Mac without the need for an expensive projector. You could see Apple TV’s popping up in company boardrooms attached to smaller LCD panels.

Let's be blunt -- if you're not already in the TiPb Forums you're missing out on the best darn discussion in iPhone and iPad today, so head on over and register now!

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Wondering how to setup iOS 5's new iMessage service on your iPhone or iPod touch? Using iMessage you can send text messages, photos, video and much more to other iMessage users around the world, all over your existing data connection. That's right, no texting plans or charges needed! Here's how to get started.

With iOS 5 Apple will be introducing iMessage, an SMS and MMS style service seamlessly integrated into the Messages app that uses your Apple ID and data plan instead of text plan... but only with other iOS 5 users. So lets say you and your special someone both have iPhones, or you have an iPod touch and your mom has an iPad, you can easily use iMessage to stay in contact. But, if you have an iPhone and your husband or wife has an Android or BlackBerry (and you stay with them!), iMessage will do you absolutely no good whatsoever.

iMessage is one of the great new features of the upcoming iOS 5 update and now there is evidence that it may soon be integrated with OS X Lion’s iChat instant messaging software. This would enable instant messaging between iOS devices and Mac computers running OS X Lion.

AT&T has confirmed to Engadget that, as of August 21, they'll be removing all but the unlimited SMS/Text messaging plans:

"We regularly evaluate our offers and are making some adjustments to our messaging lineup.

We're getting tons and tons of questions about iOS 5's new iMessage, how it works, where it sends to, and how to avoid sending to the wrong person or device. Apple hasn't given out a lot of details about it yet, but based on what they showed on the keynote and how they've previously handled user and device ID, we can make some guesses. Now if it looks a little complex... wellafter the break!