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Very Torn if I should get the S3, help!

G

gregrose

Newbie
Hi Everyone,

So long story short, I tried an S3 for a couple of days & I had to go back to iOS, BUT I bought a nexus 7 to get familiar and really grew to love android.

So, I feel like I am ready to jump to an android phone now, but I have a couple of questions before I do.

for reference i am on AT&T

1. In text messaging, anytime I received a picture message, it would come up as a media file and I would have to click on it to load it & it would say it was a 20 second video, about 10 seconds in the picture would show up, but it was small.
-Is this a known issue? I could not figure out how to fix this, and can an MMS or picture just download automatically like it does on an iPhone?
-2nd, is there anyway to have group texting in the native texting app like in iOS imessage

2. What is the deal with getting Jelly Bean on this phone for AT&T? Why are these updates not out yet & when can we expect it to be out?

3. I somewhat enjoy the notifications on iOS on the lock screen, how I can preview what the text message says and ect... Is there an app for this on android to have this feature?

4. Would you recommend getting the S3 over the new Nexus 4 that just came out?

Thank you very much for anyone who replies. :)
 
gregrose said:
Hi Everyone,

So long story short, I tried an S3 for a couple of days & I had to go back to iOS, BUT I bought a nexus 7 to get familiar and really grew to love android.

So, I feel like I am ready to jump to an android phone now, but I have a couple of questions before I do.

for reference i am on AT&T

1. In text messaging, anytime I received a picture message, it would come up as a media file and I would have to click on it to load it & it would say it was a 20 second video, about 10 seconds in the picture would show up, but it was small.
-Is this a known issue? I could not figure out how to fix this, and can an MMS or picture just download automatically like it does on an iPhone?
-2nd, is there anyway to have group texting in the native texting app like in iOS imessage

2. What is the deal with getting Jelly Bean on this phone for AT&T? Why are these updates not out yet & when can we expect it to be out?

3. I somewhat enjoy the notifications on iOS on the lock screen, how I can preview what the text message says and ect... Is there an app for this on android to have this feature?

4. Would you recommend getting the S3 over the new Nexus 4 that just came out?

Thank you very much for anyone who replies. :)
Click to expand...



1) Yes its just how the native message app does. You can use a thirdparty texting app.

2) Its up with the carries to release it. Samsung has to get Jellybean first optimize it and put their apps in then they hand it to att and att ads there bloatware then they release it. No ETA on when it will be here but rummors say next week which is purely speculation.

3) Again you can download a third party texting app. I forgot the name of it

4) If you want to get updates sooner and run pure android get a nexus. If you want 4G LTE get a S3.
 
3) Most third party SMS apps support pop up (preview) of SMS. Alternately, there's SMS Popup which is an app to use with your stock SMS.

4) Updates come out when they do. They don't always work perfectly (just like on iPhones).

If you like how an iPhone works, then keep it. If you like the customization options of Android, then get an Android.
 
gregrose said:
4. Would you recommend getting the S3 over the new Nexus 4 that just came out?
Click to expand...

The N4 comes with 16GB of storage max. I personally need more than this, so that is why I would choose the S3 over the N4.

If software updates are more important to you, then perhaps you would prefer the N4. It will definitely get updates sooner than the S3.
 
there is no way to fix the MMS/Picure messages from having to download them every time? And not just appearing automatically?
 
CrockettGTO said:
ChompSMS
Handcent
Or GOsms pro
I am currently using GOsms and have been happy with it.
Click to expand...

I second GOsms pro - had the same concerns as you and all solved with this little free beauty.

You can also configure texts to show up on the lockscreen like it does on the iPhone (my main reason to look for a replacement).

One thing you need to remember when getting any third part app tho - disable the stock one otherwise you receive them in both apps :)
 
Gomjaba said:
I second GOsms pro - had the same concerns as you and all solved with this little free beauty.

You can also configure texts to show up on the lockscreen like it does on the iPhone (my main reason to look for a replacement).

One thing you need to remember when getting any third part app tho - disable the stock one otherwise you receive them in both apps :)
Click to expand...

I've dabbled with all of the major ones and used to be a big Chomp user, but if you are a big user of "group chatting" with multiple people in a single thread like on the iPhone, def give GoSMS a try. It will handle your MMS pictures much better (when multiple photos are attached, click the picture, then click which "slide" you want to see larger 1,2,3,etc. easier to explain once you've seen it.)

I am aware that you are newer to Android but one thing that is always an option as you become more seasoned is the ability to flash custom ROM's on your AT&T model S3. I personally have been running an AOSP jelly bean ROM for 2-3 months now with very little trouble at all. Again, not something you have to venture into immediately, but it is available to you should you become tired of waiting for the official AT&T release.

Now that you've gotten used to the N7, I really think you'll love the S3 and everything it can do once after getting it tweaked to your likings.

Good luck in your decision!
 
My wife insists that I participate in group texting with her and other iphone users. Here is how you do it. Download Handcent from Play market. Open and go to Menu, Settings, Application Settings. Select "Default Messaging Application" and select "All" then go "back" to last menu. Then scroll all the way down and select "Thread Group Conversation". Now back out to main settings menu. Select "Receive Message Settings" and check "Auto retrieve" and "Auto Download". Now that should get things going on Handcent. Then open up the stock messaging app and then menu, settings and turn off "Notifications". Else you will get duplicate notifications. Remove the stock messaging icon from home screen bar and replace with Handcent. I know a lot of work for something that Android should already do. I am sure it's a patent thing. BTW I am on AT&T with a GS3 running
 
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