People have been wanting Apple to turn iChat into something MORE
for years. When iChatAV first arrived, it was quite awesome, and certainly unique on the Mac platform at that time--voice conferencing and video chat plus instant messaging, all in a free download. But now that iChat's competitors have surpassed iChat in features and wow-factor, what can Apple really do to restore iChat's luster? We know that Steve Jobs *must* read this blog, so Steve, here are a few ideas for you to ponder regarding iChat's future:
- Make its voice and video features to work properly and consistently with Google Talk and AIM and you'll gain a slew of potential users who, right now, have no choice but to use Gizmo or Skype.
- Give away free voicemail! Heck, voicemail should be built in to iChat.
- Hold music! Any MP3 file will do. But when I mute my iChat calls, shouldn't my call partner get to hear some Van Halen?
- Is there any reason each entry in the iChat buddy list needs to take up THAT much room?
- Better click-to-call support from other Mac applications.
I'm sure you can complete this list with your own set of iChat gripes. So what would YOU add to iChat?
Rumor has it, Apple will be adding Mac-to-phone calling in the iChat that slated to ship with Leopard, the next edition of the Mac OS. 464x363
Tags: apple, ichat, mac, skype, Ted Wallingford, TedWallingford, voip
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Comments
16
Subscribe to commentseleongonzalesJul 13th 2006 3:02PM
One of my problems with ichat besides the size of contacts on the buddy list (i got around this with an ichat mod) is the way iChat handles AOL away messages... There is no simple way to check them. If I get info I get the profile instead of the profile and the away. The away is diplayed on the buddy list so I have to drag the buddy list accross my screen to read. I much prefer adium.
VirginiaJul 13th 2006 6:31PM
How about allowing me to combined all my buddies from different protocols into ONE LIST? I don't give a crap whether somebody's using Jabber or AIM, and it drives me nuts to have to have two or three buddy lists open in order to see who's around. (Or am I wrong? Can I already do this?)
julianJul 13th 2006 6:56PM
Make it so audio/video chats work reliably with weird network configurations, or at least tell the freaking user what's going on so they can open the ports/forward them/hug them themself.
There's no way Apple would do this, but it would be great if they could allow other applications to plumb into iChat's video/audio tech, similar to the way they can plumb into Quicktime for video playback. That way, those of us who use Adium will be able to have a voice/video chat without having to launch iChat/wait 5 years for the video/audio support to ship (note to Adium devs: I understand why it takes so long and you have my greatest respect for trying anyway).
bjfJul 15th 2006 7:28AM
I gotta tell ya. I love iChat. Adium has better audio quality. I wouldnt mind the buddy list being smaller, but i want the buddy icons bigger. how about just a buddylist of pictures, maybe they glow when the buddy is active. I want to be able to chat with any network, and yes, the jabber listing is stupid, it should all be in one. The reason i started using iChat was to move files to people, and it seemed like it used tobe better at this.
but all in all it's a great product. but time for some advances.
bjf
The TruthbearerJul 19th 2006 5:46PM
How about better Mac to PC compatibility?
RussJul 19th 2006 6:18PM
What would be amazing, is if Apple could make a real fully featured MSN messenger client. Microsoft messenger is terrible - and as applications like Mercury or aMSN prove - webcam is possible from MSN on Mac to PC. If Apple were to make a real MSN client with comparable features to windows - or at least webcam then i think that would be yet another serious nail in the Windows coffin.
stefanJul 19th 2006 6:21PM
Definitely better PC compatibility. It is hard as a Mac user with so many PC users out there. They can talk to each other, and we Mac Users can talk to each other. PC to Mac is still a problem.
And how are we to convince someone to get a Mac, if they then can't talk to their PC friends anymore...
StanJul 19th 2006 6:23PM
At this point, I'd improve iChat by adding it's A/V stuff to Adium, then killing iChat completely.
Every new version of Adium gets better, while iChat is left without significant updates for years. I just don't think iChat can catch up to Adum at this point, and the only reason I keep it around is for an occasional video conference.
Screw iChat. Adopt and improve Adium, Apple.
ScottJul 19th 2006 6:33PM
Please fix the audio quality somehow, I constantly get annoying feedback when using audio chat. I have to reduce the volume every time and sometimes I have to reduce it so much it becomes difficult to hear.
BrendanJul 19th 2006 6:39PM
How about making the VoiP interact with the iPhone, and bring out a Windows version of iChat. Oops I've said to much...
the danielJul 19th 2006 8:01PM
tabs tabs tabs tabs tabs tabs tabs tabs tabs *deep breath* tabs tabs tabs tabs tabs tabs!
EricJul 19th 2006 10:19PM
VIDEO VOICEMAIL!!!! While the person is either away or offline.
eric f.Jul 20th 2006 9:32AM
Transparent background!!!! it's the only reason I use Adium for AIM.
iChat is far superior to Adium regarding sending images in the message window and transferring files.
cameronJul 20th 2006 10:26AM
i can't believe i am only the second person to mention tabbed chat windows. it's the BIGGEST flaw in ichat. also, the adium feature that pulls up previous lines of your conversation after you have closed a chat and re-opened it is amazing for people who like to close inactive chats.
timJul 21st 2006 10:45AM
How about this: One way paging within a local subnet? Kinda like a software walkie-talkie. Obviously, be able to turn this feature on/off, but within an office I think it would be top-knotch (especially when the phone system you're using doesn't support it)
AaronJul 21st 2006 10:31PM
A white board, Quicktime interaction...like jabber! give iApps a share to iChat function.....direct screen broadcast...etc
Windows, Linux Client???