The new iOS 5 released by Apple today brings a lot of new features and one particular features that's getting a lot of buzz is iMessage. There is as much excitement as there is confusion for this feature as people are wondering why iMessage isn't "working" especially between iOS 5 devices. I've put together a Quick Guide for the masses to help them move through this frustration.

1. Only devices with iOS 5 and iMessage enabled can use this service. It's a two-way street and message users are required to have it enabled in their settings for it to work.
2. Devices that have phone numbers automatically default to iMessage when TXT Messages are exchanged between two people. Make sure your friend messages you back so that iMessage is enabled for your conversations. If you have been SMS (Messaging) your friend and it's not showing up blue, it's probably because they haven't messaged you back.
3. For devices without phone numbers a user will need to know their e-mail address associated with their Apple ID.
4. Apple talks about being able to talk on one device and then continue the conversation on another. In order to do this, you will need to specify your e-mail addresses in the iMessages settings. For you iPhone users, you will need to use your Apple ID or any additional e-mail addresses you would like to setup. You will find these in Settings > Messages. I devided to put multiple ones in so that anyone can iMessage me without discretion.

Setting up iMessage

To setup iMessage you simply need to go Settings > Messages. In there you will be presented with the following screen:

Toggle each of the options you see here to 'ON' and then at the bottom you'll notice the Receive At. Select this if you have other iOS devices like iPads and iPods so that you can carry the message across all the devices.

• Turning on iMessage sends messages across the Internet instead of through your Carriers SMS service. This is beneficial for many reasons. The first being the expansion of the messaging service to allow real-time text messaging, and read receipts. Also for those who text alot and want to lessen there text message plan on their phone, this certainly gives that ability.
• Read Receipts will give your recipient a notification that you have read their message. There is ALWAYS a delivered message when you send a message to someone and it arrives successfully on their device. However you can now see if they have read it or not if they enabled Send Read Receipts and you specify that option for yourself.

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