My iMessages are now everywhere: on my iPhone, my Mac, and my iPad. However, there’s one issue: syncing isn’t clearly explained and can be confusing.

This morning, after downloading Messages beta, I tried adding my account and received this error: Unable to verify “…@me.com” because it is already in use by another Apple ID. Simple fix: the email address is associated with another Apple ID. I have several Apple IDs and it’s a pain to manage each and every one – time to consolidate. The easiest thing to do is to remove alternate email addresses for the Apple IDs by logging in here: https://appleid.apple.com/ – once removed you’ll be able to add that email to the Apple ID that you want to use.

Now on to the main course: syncing all messages across all devices.

Here’s how to sync all of your messages:

iOS Devices (iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad):

1. Navigate to Settings > Messages.
2. Make sure iMessage is turned on.
3. Tap on Receive At.
4. Check your Apple ID. Make note of this Apple ID.
5. Tap on Caller ID.
6. Use your email address. If you use your phone number (assuming you’re on an iPhone), then the non phone devices (including the Mac) may not (and probably won’t) see the messages.

Mac version:

1. Navigate to the Messages app.
2. Go to Preferences > Accounts.
3. Add the same Apple ID as you used on the iOS devices.

In a nutshell: everything needs to be consistent. Use the same Apple ID everywhere and an email address as a caller id for best results.

You should follow me on twitter here.

Similarly, here’s how Android devices have changed after the iPhone: via Andrew Warner and via Daring Fireball.

One iPad came back with a post it note on it that said “Wife said no.” It was escalated as something funny, and two of the VPs got wind of it. They sent the guy an iPad 2 with a note on it that said “Apple said yes.”

via MacRumors

Real people working at a real company — can’t hate that.

Here’s a breakdown of the patents.

Point of the talk was, when you’re lucky enough to create a smash hit product — when the stars align, and the hardware is great and the ecosystem is great and the apps are great and the whole experience is great, and everything you do just makes everything else better, and you’re totally on a roll and can do no wrong — when that happens, you do not go out and try to fuck it all up by discouraging people who love your product. What you do, instead, is you fix your fucking shitty ass network you fucking shit-eating-grin-wearing hillbilly ass clown! [The Secret Diary of Steve Jobs]

Worth reading.. twice.

And now here we are. Right here in your own backyard, an American company creates a brilliant phone, and that company hands it to you, and gives you an exclusive deal to carry it — and all you guys can do is complain about how much people want to use it. You, Randall Stephenson, and your lazy stupid company — you are the problem. You are what’s wrong with this country.

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1. Connect your iPhone to your computer.

2. Open iTunes and click on your iPhone in the devices list.

3. Click check for updates.

4. Install the new update.

5. When the install and syncing finishes, reboot your iPhone.

6. Tap on Messages. Your iPhone will now have a small camera icon next to the text field. Viola, You’re done!