• After 15+ years, we've made a big change: Android Forums is now Early Bird Club. Learn more here.

best alternative to texting

S

Snetterfield

Lurker
I need help. I'm going to be switching from AT&T to Sprint in December, though I don't use texting much. So can anyone recommend any sms apps alternatives that are free? I also need to able to send text messages to non smartphones, and send things like photos, video etc. Help will be appreciated,
 
Google Voice is free for texting. Best part is that you can text from your phone or from your computer. For sending photos and videos, you can do that through the Google+ app's Messaging component.
 
Snetterfield said:
Can Anyone confirm that you can send texts to dumbphones from this as well? I can't confirm it because I don't a Android phone to test it on. I also have family members with dumbphones, so I have to be able to send texts to them.
Click to expand...

Depends what you call a 'dumbphone', Snetterfield. My mom's fixed landline phone doesn't have a display for SMS messages. Yet I can send her SMS messages: they get read out loud to her on the phone by Prof. Dr. Stephen Hawking. I guess that varies per telcom.

But really, if they want/need to be able to receive SMS/text messages then their phones should upgrade to that capability. You shouldn't downgrade your phone to meet their outdated technology level.
But if you're determined to do so, why get an expensive state-of-the-art Android phone? Any 10 year old Nokia can exchange SMS with all your family members (if they have that capability). It's much cheaper too.
 
DoDodorant said:
Depends what you call a 'dumbphone', Snetterfield.
Click to expand...


A mobile phone that is not a smartphone. I don't want to downgrade from a smartphone but I want to make sure if I send a text from this app to a phone that isn't a smartphone whether or not that the non smartphone we'll receive it or not.
 
I haven't yet heard of an SMS message from a smartphone not arriving on any SMS capable phone ever. It doesn't have to do with being a smartphone or not, but with being SMS capable or not. The underlying technology is identical. Only on smartphones they can stick a fancy interface on it. But that's only dress-up. Fa
 
Best free alternative SMS apps (in order of quality):

1. GO SMS
2. Handcent SMS
3. Chomp SMS

Also like DoDodorant said, don't send a lot of MMS (Multimedia Messages = Pictures, Videos) because unless you have an unlimited Data plan, it will cost you and your message recipient a lot of money.

Look for apps that allow you to send MMS over wifi.

Always look for the free alternative. Don't let AT&T/T-Mobile/Sprint/Verizon scam you.

In my opinion, MMS and SMS should be unlimited and free for everyone. Imagine Internet Service Providers charging people for sending pics/videos online? Lol.
 
Was there ever a time that text messages dont send because the other recipient wasnt a smartphone? I dont think that time ever existed. MMS probably, but not SMS.

And if you're not picky with themes and such, you can always use the default SMS app and not install any at all.
 
itsallgood said:
Also, the "Dumbphones" have to have text messaging package for that line to receive the SMS.
Click to expand...
No they don't, it just will cost the receiver. My mom's feature phone (or dumbphone) does not have a text messaging package and I am able to send her both SMS and MMS, it costs her 25 cent and 50 cents respectively.
 
Always look for the free alternative. Don't let AT&T/T-Mobile/Sprint/Verizon scam you.

In my opinion, MMS and SMS should be unlimited and free for everyone. Imagine Internet Service Providers charging people for sending pics/videos online? Lol.
Click to expand...
chanchan05 I totally agree with you! These companies can be crooks when it comes to texting. To these companies there able to send these messages over the network at no cost, but charge people for it.
 
I haven't posted on here for a while, but one thing i'm wondering is how do you configure to send texts over the data connection instead of the texting plan?
 
You need an app that does that, but then the other person needs to have that app as well. The most popular ones are Whatsapp and Ebuddy, since they also work on dumbphones, but then the dumbphone users also need to be connected to data for that.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom