Question about the "Talk" Application

[unimatrix001]

What is the difference between "Talk" and "Text Messaging" application?

[Ann154]

Talk is an IM app that uses your gmail address to chat with people that you invite to the chat. It also uses the data plan and not the text message package. You are not limited to a certain number of text characters per message.

Text message app has a 160 characters per message and use your text message package allotment from Verizon.

I am sure I'm not getting all the points, but that is I how I use and understand them.

[unimatrix001]

Thanks for clarifying. I did not realize that Talk was an IM app. So it is free chatting provided you are contacting another Google Gmail address. What happens when you IM someone else at an non-Gmail address (e.g. Yahoo or Mac e-mail account)? Is there now a charge involved or is it free also?

BTW - No complaints from me. If the Droid Eris is still running strong and meets your needs, why upgrade.

[Ann154]

Honestly I don't think I have ever tried to invite someone else with a email address other than gmail. So I not sure how/if that works. The Talk application transfers the chats through the data plan. So you are paying for it with the data plan. Other thing I noticed is that the chat are usually saved and archived with your gmail account. You can chat off record so they are not saved, but that isn't the default.

Thanks about the Eris comment. I do like using it and feel it is snappy enough for what I use for. Still stock to boot, but the skin (homescreens) has been highly customized.

[unimatrix001]

I have a friend who says he did not add an texting package but is able to text for free. He was not sure how it was possible either but he does have Gmail account. He also texts to people outside the Gmail community. So it sounds like it could be free too. Mystery solved.

In regards to chatting off-line. How is this done?

One other thing. And I am not sure if you would know this. When you log into the Gmail account on the web, I notice on the left-hand column of the window, there is a Chat section. Does this also performs the same way as the Talk application on the Droid?

Also in the Gmail web interface, when I click one name listed under Chat it brings up a small IM like window. But when I click on another name it gives me a regular e-mail window. Both names have Gmail accounts. Should not I be getting an IM window for both?

[Ann154]

Have seen that section on the web, but have not gotten around to use it. It appears to work similarly.

For the off record, in the Google Talk application on the phone, select the contact to open a chat window. Press menu button and chat off record is an option.

[jasnmar]

Yes, the thing on the side in gmail is talk. You can also download a google talk application for your PC that works much like most other IM applications so that notifications are automatic.
If your goal is free texts then you should probably check out google voice, which is capable of this.
Jason

[unimatrix001]

So if I sign up for Google Voice and get a phone number from them, I take it if I want to send free text messages I will need to have Google Voice installed on my Droid 2, correct? What about the person receiving my messages, do they need to have Google Voice installed and a Google phone number too?

Also, in regards to being able to text for free, does Google Voice use a data connection and not the standard SMS routing?

[jasnmar]

The person that you are sending the message to does not need to have google voice installed, but yes, you do need to install google voice for this to work.
You will have 2 phone numbers that work on your phone, your verizon number and your google number. If people text your verizon number you will pay for texting. If you text from and get texted at your google number you won't be charged for SMS, as it uses data.
Calls made using google voice do count against your minutes.
Jason