Hi,
The tab switching of contacts in messaging multiple contacts is one of the greatest thing you have implemented.
IM+ is getting better, thank you for improving it.
Device: Samsung Blackjack
Suggestions:
Importance is from greatest to least
1. Sort online contacts VS offline contacts.
I think it’s better if we can show all contacts then IM+ will automatically sort the contacts between offline and online. The online contacts on top of the list for easy access. This way we can easily message the online contacts while still seeing the offline contacts.
After sorting the online and offline contacts, you can still sort it further through first email letters in ascending order for online and offline contacts or you can sort it depending on the IM used.
Online contacts(this is just to categorize, no need to show this)
Erik@sdasd.com (msn)
Mark@dasda.com (yahoo)
Wendy@dasdas.com (google)
Offline contacts(this is just to categorize, no need to show this)
Joe@89.com (google)
Ken@345.com (msn)
Lim@123.com (yahoo)
or this way
Online contacts(this is just to categorize, no need to show this)
Erik@sdasd.com (msn)
Wendy2@dasdasd.com (msn)
Hello@dasdasd.com (yahoo)
Mark@dasda.com (yahoo)
AAAA@asdasd.com (google)
Offline contacts(this is just to categorize, no need to show this)
Joe@89.com (google)
Luther@89.com (google)
Ken@345.com (msn)
Lim@123.com (yahoo)
You can also implement this even if the Groups/categories are activated. Online will be on top of that group, offline will be below them.
2. Photo and Voice Support or Send and Receive Files
Send and receive any files will be better than just photo and voice. But if it’s not possible then photo and voice are sufficient enough than nothing.
3. Visual Notification or Counter
A good example would be when I go to home screen and someone messages me, the sound alert is a good way to notify me that i have an incoming message, but what if I didn’t hear the sound? I hope there is a notification or even just a message counter to atleast notify the user that he has a message that he needs to look at. The best way is to implement it on the top toolbar inline with the (new sms, 3G icon, signal) to prevent more clutter on the today screen. If it’s not possible then a today screen plugin will be great. As you can see, smartphone has a homescreen counter for missed calls, voicemail, sms/mms/emails. Maybe you can provide a plugin for IM+ also. The counter will be based on the number of contacts who message you instead of the number of messages you received(optional for users whether they want to add this counter or not). With this new develop plugins, users will interact and create more themes that will include yours. Maybe you’ll get more user base as an added bonus.
Example
Erik message you
Home screen :
IM+(1)
Wendy message you
Home screen:
IM+(2)
Even if Wendy sends you 100 messages. It will still stay at (2) because you haven’t read the message from her and Erik and they are only 2 contacts that you missed reading.
A visual icon that will show if you are running IM+ and if it’s currently connected or not. (Palringo style should be ok, a dedicated icon on the top toolbar)
4. GUI enhancements
Improving the overall GUI will be favourable to the users. As of now, I feel like using a windows 98 GUI.
Cleartype Support (this is critically needed)
Better Font
Flat and simple design is ok. There is no need for flashy designs, but the current design is really bare or no graphical eye candy at all.
Smileys needs improvement. Animated smileys if possible
5. Ability to save Chat logs
It will help a lot if you can provide the user the ability to save the chat messages.
6. More Efficient in Data usage (GPRS or 3G)
Lesser usage in GPRS/3G will make it cheaper.
I’ll try to look for more improvements.