Ping! — iPhone app that “increases” your SMS plan

I wrote about Ping! here. Basically, I had a gripe that it became a paid app so soon, especially when it still lacked certain key features like: ability to send pictures and a buddy list so that I would not have to recall every one of my friends’ Ping IDs.

Since then, developer, Gary Fung has promised that these are in the works. Version 2 will include the function of sending pictures. Not as crucial to some as a buddy list, but hey, this is an indication of how hard Gary is working on Ping!. I’ve only had it for a couple of weeks and already there’s been one update.

I still think its a little premature to call it a rival to Blackberry Messenger. But for now, it serves a very important function of letting iPhone users connect with each other without draining our bundled SMS plans. Yes, it would be great to be able to link up with BBM users, but RIM uses their own servers to power BBM and, I say, no way in heck will they ever let a third-party app developer near them. So stop asking for it, Ping users. And stop using it as a strike against Ping. How come nobody complains that RIM isn’t including other brands into their messenger service?

One more thing, I’ve since learnt that another similar app (“Whatsapp”) has a limit on the number of messages it can send per minute. Maybe you don’t think it matters, but you’ll be surprised how fast you can send/receive messages when you’re knee-deep in an emotionally charged text conversation.

So, does Ping! help me save on my monthly SMS plans? Yes. The hubby and I exclusively communicate via Ping!. And just that alone, saves me tens of texts. I can now freely gush of my love for him in unlimited number of Ping!s and in all variations, including, “Don’t forget to feed the cat and remember to buy the tampons ok!”

So my verdict? When you lower your expectations (and come on, its 99cents! You pay more than that for a Teh Peng at some coffeeshops), and consider that it’s not a replacement for traditional SMS, but more of a add-on to it, helping you extend the number of texts you can spam your friends with each month, then yes, worth getting it.

Ping!’s Website: http://www.pingmessaging.com/

TUAW.com’s review of Ping: http://www.tuaw.com/2009/10/17/cheap-alternatives-to-sms-for-the-iphone-theres-an-app-for-that/?icid=px-iphone

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