All Android/Google All the Time (1 Viewer)

[AcerFC]

Android is serious business

I have no idea what these people are talking about. Might as well be Chinese

My battery on my note is totally dying. I thought it was the cord at first but I take it off the plug at 7:00. By the time I get into work at 8:00 its down 10% without me even looking at it

Just ordered a new battery. I like that about the Samsung products. Now if that battery dies at the same rate right away, I obviously have something wrong with the phone

 

[AcerFC]

I tried Hangouts a year ago and didn't like that it was trying to add video, phone, etc. I just wanted to text someone. I've tried handcent, 8sms and textra. I'm on Textra and it's exactly what I'm looking for: simple interface, does group texts without a hitch, doesn't force you into a closed network, just enough customization to make the interface work for me and quick reply from the lock screen.

Can you text more than 10 people at the same time

 

[pollardsvision]

Also, SnapChat's just for adults having affairs and kids with snoopy parents, right?

There's no other reason for it, is there?

 

[Bull Dozier]

So, does everyone just use Hangouts as their main texting app?

I'm too lazy to try out all these other apps. Do any have any special feature that makes them worth ditching Hangouts?

I did see that 8sms is likely going under.

Can someone explain to me like I'm a 41 year old who used to be tech savy but is slowly losing his grip what the need is for an app to text? Is it just to enhance group texting? I have a Galaxy SIII and can't imagine what else a separate app would add to the texting feature.

 

[Jaysus]

Also, SnapChat's just for adults having affairs and kids with snoopy parents, right?

There's no other reason for it, is there?

Some in my group of friends use it to send silly pictures to each other with cocks and balls poorly drawn on them. They claim it is hilarious.

 

[Jaysus]

So, does everyone just use Hangouts as their main texting app?

I'm too lazy to try out all these other apps. Do any have any special feature that makes them worth ditching Hangouts?

I did see that 8sms is likely going under.

Can someone explain to me like I'm a 41 year old who used to be tech savy but is slowly losing his grip what the need is for an app to text? Is it just to enhance group texting? I have a Galaxy SIII and can't imagine what else a separate app would add to the texting feature.

:shurg: if you like what you have there is no need to worry about replacing it.

 

[pollardsvision]

So, does everyone just use Hangouts as their main texting app?

I'm too lazy to try out all these other apps. Do any have any special feature that makes them worth ditching Hangouts?

I did see that 8sms is likely going under.

Can someone explain to me like I'm a 41 year old who used to be tech savy but is slowly losing his grip what the need is for an app to text? Is it just to enhance group texting? I have a Galaxy SIII and can't imagine what else a separate app would add to the texting feature.

I'm still trying to figure that out myself, but for me, it was necessary as the stock app on my old phone made it impossible to tell if I was responding to a group or individual text, which really sucked.

No phones these days have completely ####ty stock texting apps like that, it's just a matter of different features. I don't really know what those are though.

Enough people are using What'sApp for Facebook to drop $19 Billion on it, so I assume there's something.

I think Hangouts is going to be the stock app on a lot of Android phones from now on.

 

[pollardsvision]

Also, SnapChat's just for adults having affairs and kids with snoopy parents, right?

There's no other reason for it, is there?

Some in my group of friends use it to send silly pictures to each other with cocks and balls poorly drawn on them. They claim it is hilarious.

Well sure, but why would anyone want a nice #### pic or drawing to disappear?

Unless that's frowned upon in some circles, in which case, I have to plead ignorance on that one.

 

[Jaysus]

For what it is worth, I recently missed the birth announcement of a GB's second child because ##### Google Voice still does not support group texting.

 

[AcerFC]

I dont like using hangout for texting

 

[[icon]]

For what it is worth, I recently missed the birth announcement of a GB's second child because ##### Google Voice still does not support group texting.

Ouch. I've noticed a buddy or two who have big issues with group texting and just assumed they were android folks. Is that the default texting app for android? Is there anything I can advice them to do to improve this? TIA

 

[Quez]

Hangouts is finally where it needs to be. I have quit using any other messaging app.

 

[Quez]

For what it is worth, I recently missed the birth announcement of a GB's second child because ##### Google Voice still does not support group texting.

Look at the bright side, you would still be getting "congratulations" text from random people if GV allowed group text.

I don't miss that at all.

 

[Jaysus]

For what it is worth, I recently missed the birth announcement of a GB's second child because ##### Google Voice still does not support group texting.

Ouch. I've noticed a buddy or two who have big issues with group texting and just assumed they were android folks. Is that the default texting app for android? Is there anything I can advice them to do to improve this? TIA

Advise them to use email for group communications

Seriously though, my issue is specific to the fact that I use a Google Voice number and the Google Voice service does not play well with MMS (which is, apparently, how group messages are handled).

Anyway, the default Android texting app supports group messaging just fine as far as I can tell, but most phones do not include the stock app as manufactures often include their version of a texting app in their proprietary skin. This may actually answer Bull Dozer's question above as to why some seek out 3rd party texting apps?

 

[[icon]]

For what it is worth, I recently missed the birth announcement of a GB's second child because ##### Google Voice still does not support group texting.

Look at the bright side, you would still be getting "congratulations" text from random people if GV allowed group text.

I don't miss that at all.

Can't you just mute that thread? That definitely used to be annoying as #### before Apple finally got their #### together with that functionality with 8.

 

[Buddy Ball 2K3]

I use the stock android app on my Maxx running 4.4.4 and when its a group text the different names/numbers appear at the top of the message bar. Oh and it also displays how many people are in the conversation.

 

[pollardsvision]

For what it is worth, I recently missed the birth announcement of a GB's second child because ##### Google Voice still does not support group texting.

Ouch. I've noticed a buddy or two who have big issues with group texting and just assumed they were android folks. Is that the default texting app for android? Is there anything I can advice them to do to improve this? TIA

Advise them to use email for group communications

Seriously though, my issue is specific to the fact that I use a Google Voice number and the Google Voice service does not play well with MMS (which is, apparently, how group messages are handled).

Anyway, the default Android texting app supports group messaging just fine as far as I can tell, but most phones do not include the stock app as manufactures often include their version of a texting app in their proprietary skin. This may actually answer Bull Dozer's question above as to why some seek out 3rd party texting apps?

I don't really understand how a lot of this works, but why would you use a Google Voice number for texting?

I still don't have a good handle on the whole point of a GV number? Was this from back before about every cell phone plan included unlimited text/talk?

I only got one to get the voicemail transcriptions set-up, but I"m not sure why I'd use it otherwise. It even requires a carrier number to set-up a GV number (which I really don't understand).

The telemarketer screening is nice, so I could see using the GV number when signing up for random ####.

 

[Quez]

I'm in the same boat as Jaysus, using GV completely instead of carrier number.

You can't mute it, and Im not really sure what the problem is. I get group text from certain people, but not others. I think I just don't get them from apple.

 

[The Gator]

GoSMS is the best messaging app I've used. Easily handles groups and sends the texts individually.

Never tried hangouts as a texting app. Might give it a shot

 

[Brony]

I tried Hangouts a year ago and didn't like that it was trying to add video, phone, etc. I just wanted to text someone. I've tried handcent, 8sms and textra. I'm on Textra and it's exactly what I'm looking for: simple interface, does group texts without a hitch, doesn't force you into a closed network, just enough customization to make the interface work for me and quick reply from the lock screen.

Can you text more than 10 people at the same time

Not sure. I have an email account and I'm not the coach of a youth sports team so I've never really needed that.

 

[Quez]

GV is nice because you aren't tied to the carrier #. VM transcriptions, being able to spam out numbers, you can also log into the desktop and keep track of all your text/call history. I could hypothetically not even have a cell plan and still have a phone number to use through a computer. It has also come in handy when I can't find my phone. I will call it from my computer.

Its cool now that they integrated it with hangouts, but for the past year hangouts didn't work with the GV #.

I think Google has envisioned freeing customers from being tied down to carriers. I think it's just taking longer than expected. Maybe with all this talk of WiFi calling is the beginning?

 

[pollardsvision]

I tried Hangouts a year ago and didn't like that it was trying to add video, phone, etc. I just wanted to text someone. I've tried handcent, 8sms and textra. I'm on Textra and it's exactly what I'm looking for: simple interface, does group texts without a hitch, doesn't force you into a closed network, just enough customization to make the interface work for me and quick reply from the lock screen.

Can you text more than 10 people at the same time

Hangouts might've had a limit of 10 before, but I don't think it does any more. I've got a group text with 11. The 10 limit is for video calls, I think.

 

[pollardsvision]

GV is nice because you aren't tied to the carrier #. VM transcriptions, being able to spam out numbers, you can also log into the desktop and keep track of all your text/call history. I could hypothetically not even have a cell plan and still have a phone number to use through a computer. It has also come in handy when I can't find my phone. I will call it from my computer.

Its cool now that they integrated it with hangouts, but for the past year hangouts didn't work with the GV #.

I think Google has envisioned freeing customers from being tied down to carriers. I think it's just taking longer than expected. Maybe with all this talk of WiFi calling is the beginning?

You'll have to forgive my ignorance, as I didn't know GV or HO existed a 2 months ago.

I don't understand the separate from carrier thing.

I tried to set my wife up with a GV number, but she doesn't have a carrier phone # (brain injury and several speech disorders). The very first step is entering a damn carrier number. I assume there's a work-around, but that doesn't make a ton of sense as the standard method.

For people that aim to ditch carrier, do they just plan on always being within range of wifi when they need to use their phone for anything? That seems odd.

And from what I can tell, most all of those features can be done using the carrier number as the main/only contact number. I can read/listen to all voicemails to carrier number on the desktop, but not text/call history.

 

[AcerFC]

I tried Hangouts a year ago and didn't like that it was trying to add video, phone, etc. I just wanted to text someone. I've tried handcent, 8sms and textra. I'm on Textra and it's exactly what I'm looking for: simple interface, does group texts without a hitch, doesn't force you into a closed network, just enough customization to make the interface work for me and quick reply from the lock screen.

Can you text more than 10 people at the same time

Not sure. I have an email account and I'm not the coach of a youth sports team so I've never really needed that.

you hit it on the head. I couch a U8 soccer team and it would be awesome to have an app that allows for a quick practice is cancelled text to 15 parents

 

[AcerFC]

I tried Hangouts a year ago and didn't like that it was trying to add video, phone, etc. I just wanted to text someone. I've tried handcent, 8sms and textra. I'm on Textra and it's exactly what I'm looking for: simple interface, does group texts without a hitch, doesn't force you into a closed network, just enough customization to make the interface work for me and quick reply from the lock screen.

Can you text more than 10 people at the same time

Hangouts might've had a limit of 10 before, but I don't think it does any more. I've got a group text with 11. The 10 limit is for video calls, I think.

whenever I hit a contact all that comes up is invite (insert contact) to hangouts via. Why do they need an invite for a text

 

[pollardsvision]

I tried Hangouts a year ago and didn't like that it was trying to add video, phone, etc. I just wanted to text someone. I've tried handcent, 8sms and textra. I'm on Textra and it's exactly what I'm looking for: simple interface, does group texts without a hitch, doesn't force you into a closed network, just enough customization to make the interface work for me and quick reply from the lock screen.

Can you text more than 10 people at the same time

Hangouts might've had a limit of 10 before, but I don't think it does any more. I've got a group text with 11. The 10 limit is for video calls, I think.

whenever I hit a contact all that comes up is invite (insert contact) to hangouts via. Why do they need an invite for a text

For me, it says "send message via..." and gives the options for all the ways you have the ways you can contact them (via Hangouts). Just pick the SMS/carrier number option.

Start with the first person. Once you are in that text space, go to 3-dot/settings menu and pick "New Group MMS" and you can just start adding whoever. For every step, it'll always give the option to use hangouts or SMS (I don't really know many people that use hangouts).

 

[AcerFC]

SMS was disabled. That was why. Just enabled it

 

[AcerFC]

SMS was disabled. That was why. Just enabled it

Have to say in the few minutes I played with it, it was confusing as hell

I have 18 people in my U8 contact group. I go to text them and only 5 show up. Then I try to see which five and I cant see anything past the first three. It just says Bob, Jane, Joe +2

Ill stick to the stock messaging app and not text the group

 

[pollardsvision]

SMS was disabled. That was why. Just enabled it

Have to say in the few minutes I played with it, it was confusing as hell

I have 18 people in my U8 contact group. I go to text them and only 5 show up. Then I try to see which five and I cant see anything past the first three. It just says Bob, Jane, Joe +2

Ill stick to the stock messaging app and not text the group

That does seem to be a big problem with Hangouts, being confusing.

On that specific issue though, I had that problem, but if you go into the group text and into settings, then "People and Options", it'll show you everyone in the MMS.

Not sure about only 5 showing up.

 

[The Gator]

SMS was disabled. That was why. Just enabled it

Have to say in the few minutes I played with it, it was confusing as hellI have 18 people in my U8 contact group. I go to text them and only 5 show up. Then I try to see which five and I cant see anything past the first three. It just says Bob, Jane, Joe +2

Ill stick to the stock messaging app and not text the group

Gosms, coach

 

[Brony]

Just dabbled in Hangouts again - now I remember why I didn't like it. Gmail is not my primary email and the app was co-mingling my texts and emails and/or I couldn't figure out how to unwind that. If gmail was my main email, I'd probably like Hangouts.

 

[jhib]

I tried Hangouts a year ago and didn't like that it was trying to add video, phone, etc. I just wanted to text someone. I've tried handcent, 8sms and textra. I'm on Textra and it's exactly what I'm looking for: simple interface, does group texts without a hitch, doesn't force you into a closed network, just enough customization to make the interface work for me and quick reply from the lock screen.

I'm very happy with Textra as well, with much the same reasoning. I'd recommend it to anyone who is having issues with their other apps. It seems to play nice with group messaging (turn on "use MMS for group chats" in settings"), even when half the people on the other end are on iPhone.

Hangouts might work for me now, but I'm usually resistant to change if I have no complaints with what I'm using. I usually only use Hangouts for video calling.

 

[the moops]

Hangouts is finally where it needs to be. I have quit using any other messaging app.

I keep getting a "cannot download" error when I get group MMS messages. It's annoying

 

[AcerFC]

SMS was disabled. That was why. Just enabled it

Have to say in the few minutes I played with it, it was confusing as hellI have 18 people in my U8 contact group. I go to text them and only 5 show up. Then I try to see which five and I cant see anything past the first three. It just says Bob, Jane, Joe +2

Ill stick to the stock messaging app and not text the group

Gosms, coach

tried it, didnt like it

Thank you though

I just set up two groups that splits the team. I will send an additional text but Ill just copy and paste so I wont have to type twice. Not sure why I didnt think about this until now

 

[Sand]

Haven't seen this: Flashlight apps are major bad mojo. All the most popular ones are malware and send data back to China, India, and Russia. Any of those bigger than 200kb should be deleted immediately. In fact, Brightest Flashlight actually, in their privacy legalese page, tells you that it is taking your data. Ugh.

http://www.snoopwall.com/threat-reports-10-01-2014/

http://www.foxnews.com/on-air/special-report-bret-baier/blog/2014/10/01/cybersecurity-threat-could-be-lurking-your-phone

For android there is one called Flashlight: No Permissions that doesn't have all the malware in it.

 

[Dentist]

Haven't seen this: Flashlight apps are major bad mojo. All the most popular ones are malware and send data back to China, India, and Russia. Any of those bigger than 200kb should be deleted immediately. In fact, Brightest Flashlight actually, in their privacy legalese page, tells you that it is taking your data. Ugh.

http://www.snoopwall.com/threat-reports-10-01-2014/

http://www.foxnews.com/on-air/special-report-bret-baier/blog/2014/10/01/cybersecurity-threat-could-be-lurking-your-phone

For android there is one called Flashlight: No Permissions that doesn't have all the malware in it.

thanks!

 

[AcerFC]

I have the one that came with the phone called assistive light. I like it, you think its ok

 

[pollardsvision]

Nexus 6 might be available on Verizon

http://www.businessinsider.com/google-nexus-6-release-verizon-2014-10

 

[No. 16]

I tried Hangouts a year ago and didn't like that it was trying to add video, phone, etc. I just wanted to text someone. I've tried handcent, 8sms and textra. I'm on Textra and it's exactly what I'm looking for: simple interface, does group texts without a hitch, doesn't force you into a closed network, just enough customization to make the interface work for me and quick reply from the lock screen.

I'm very happy with Textra as well, with much the same reasoning. I'd recommend it to anyone who is having issues with their other apps. It seems to play nice with group messaging (turn on "use MMS for group chats" in settings"), even when half the people on the other end are on iPhone.

Hangouts might work for me now, but I'm usually resistant to change if I have no complaints with what I'm using. I usually only use Hangouts for video calling.

Another vote for Textra. It's simple and it handles group messages well.

Hangouts is too confusing because it mixes: e-mail, hangouts, and SMS which is a problem because with with my group of friends there's a priority to communication:

1) Facebook group chat - just shooting the #### everyday, nothing pressing.

2) SMS - Needs attention soonish.

3) Call - EMERGENCY!!

I like the simplicity of knowing that I'm sending a SMS through Textra.

 

[AcerFC]

What is it about the stock app that you guys dont like. I am not in love with it, but it does what I need it to for the most part

What does something like textra and gosms give you that the stock does not

 

[No. 16]

What is it about the stock app that you guys dont like. I am not in love with it, but it does what I need it to for the most part

What does something like textra and gosms give you that the stock does not

The stock on Nexus 5 was Hangouts. Didn't like how it grouped: email, hangouts/google+, and SMS in one place.

 

[pollardsvision]

What is it about the stock app that you guys dont like. I am not in love with it, but it does what I need it to for the most part

What does something like textra and gosms give you that the stock does not

If you aren't able to send group texts with your stock app (or do it conveniently) and you'd like to, then that would seem to be a good reason to look into one of those.

 

[AcerFC]

What is it about the stock app that you guys dont like. I am not in love with it, but it does what I need it to for the most part

What does something like textra and gosms give you that the stock does not

The stock on Nexus 5 was Hangouts. Didn't like how it grouped: email, hangouts/google+, and SMS in one place.

I thought that messaging with the envelope with the yellow on top was the stock. I guess different phones have different ones

Thanks

 

[RnR]

Nexus 6 might be available on Verizon

http://www.businessinsider.com/google-nexus-6-release-verizon-2014-10

Well ####. I was just about to preorder a Note 4. May have to wait it out now.

 

[No. 16]

What is it about the stock app that you guys dont like. I am not in love with it, but it does what I need it to for the most part

What does something like textra and gosms give you that the stock does not

The stock on Nexus 5 was Hangouts. Didn't like how it grouped: email, hangouts/google+, and SMS in one place.

I thought that messaging with the envelope with the yellow on top was the stock. I guess different phones have different onesThanks

Galaxy? I miss the Galaxy messaging/dialer. Being able to text or call with a swipe is awesome.

 

[AcerFC]

What is it about the stock app that you guys dont like. I am not in love with it, but it does what I need it to for the most part

What does something like textra and gosms give you that the stock does not

The stock on Nexus 5 was Hangouts. Didn't like how it grouped: email, hangouts/google+, and SMS in one place.

I thought that messaging with the envelope with the yellow on top was the stock. I guess different phones have different onesThanks

Galaxy? I miss the Galaxy messaging/dialer. Being able to text or call with a swipe is awesome.

note 3

 

[drummer]

So, does everyone just use Hangouts as their main texting app?

I'm too lazy to try out all these other apps. Do any have any special feature that makes them worth ditching Hangouts?

I did see that 8sms is likely going under.

I use Textra, because of the popouts. Hello SMS is also good. If you have an AMOLED screen, dark apps help save battery. Seriously, there are many technical articles on it.

this post is awaiting approval from the Mods.

 

[belljr]

So, does everyone just use Hangouts as their main texting app?

I'm too lazy to try out all these other apps. Do any have any special feature that makes them worth ditching Hangouts?

I did see that 8sms is likely going under.

Can someone explain to me like I'm a 41 year old who used to be tech savy but is slowly losing his grip what the need is for an app to text? Is it just to enhance group texting? I have a Galaxy SIII and can't imagine what else a separate app would add to the texting feature.

I'm still trying to figure that out myself, but for me, it was necessary as the stock app on my old phone made it impossible to tell if I was responding to a group or individual text, which really sucked.

No phones these days have completely ####ty stock texting apps like that, it's just a matter of different features. I don't really know what those are though.

Enough people are using What'sApp for Facebook to drop $19 Billion on it, so I assume there's something.

I think Hangouts is going to be the stock app on a lot of Android phones from now on.

My app is just an overlay for the built in text. It just makes it look nicer

 

[Bri]

I tried Hangouts a year ago and didn't like that it was trying to add video, phone, etc. I just wanted to text someone. I've tried handcent, 8sms and textra. I'm on Textra and it's exactly what I'm looking for: simple interface, does group texts without a hitch, doesn't force you into a closed network, just enough customization to make the interface work for me and quick reply from the lock screen.

I'm very happy with Textra as well, with much the same reasoning. I'd recommend it to anyone who is having issues with their other apps. It seems to play nice with group messaging (turn on "use MMS for group chats" in settings"), even when half the people on the other end are on iPhone.

Hangouts might work for me now, but I'm usually resistant to change if I have no complaints with what I'm using. I usually only use Hangouts for video calling.

Another vote for Textra. It's simple and it handles group messages well.

Hangouts is too confusing because it mixes: e-mail, hangouts, and SMS which is a problem because with with my group of friends there's a priority to communication:

1) Facebook group chat - just shooting the #### everyday, nothing pressing.

2) SMS - Needs attention soonish.

3) Call - EMERGENCY!!

I like the simplicity of knowing that I'm sending a SMS through Textra.

Have you used Handcent? If so, thoughts on comparison here?

 

[Dentist]

Handcent is great. Go sms is a resource hog! However I'm on a motorola atrix 1 gingerbread phone so that may not apply to modern phones.