Messaging App for Android

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nzkiwiman

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#161765 19-Jan-2015 10:55

Device - Nexus 4

Back when the Nexus 5 was released, Google introduced Hangouts as the default SMS and MMS app for Nexus phones, and generally it works well. However of late I have noticed that if some is REALLY quick at replying back via SMS that I never get a notification of the arriving message or bold to indicate it is unread. I only see the message if I open the message thread .. does not seem to be an update to Android 5 problem as it was happening before I updated.

Yesterday I was informed that Google has released Messages App as their new SMS/MMS application because they know Hangouts is "crap"
Now I want to know - should I upgrade?

(Messages app, not to be confused with the stock Nexus 4 Messaging app)

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#1217462 19-Jan-2015 11:19

Yes, I was using hangouts and migrated across to messenger, much cleaner UI, I never had issues with hangouts but have to say I prefer messenger, not sure why, just do! :P

freitasm

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#1217464 19-Jan-2015 11:21

Just installed. Have been using Hangouts on my HTC One because the HTC Messages is absolutely terrible at MMS. Will try this now (although I do like hangouts because of Google Voice as I have a US-based number used for SMS sometimes).

timmmay

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#1217520 19-Jan-2015 12:47

Messenger's meant to be good. I use whatever came with my Samsung S4, my wife uses Textra (which is ok).

Oblivian

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#1217537 19-Jan-2015 13:23

After seeing previous thread about its silent release I considered it.

But like my dark themes to keep screen lit-ness to a minimal and easier on the eye in dark situations. Maybe if someone comes up with an addon dark theme.

hio77

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#1217557 19-Jan-2015 13:47

freitasm: Just installed. Have been using Hangouts on my HTC One because the HTC Messages is absolutely terrible at MMS. Will try this now (although I do like hangouts because of Google Voice as I have a US-based number used for SMS sometimes).

what makes it so terrible? i personally haven't had any issues with MMS on my M8. - i dont think i have sent a MMS at all though, only received. i send images over imgur, facebook or snapchat otherwise...

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freitasm

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#1217610 19-Jan-2015 14:32

hio77:
freitasm: Just installed. Have been using Hangouts on my HTC One because the HTC Messages is absolutely terrible at MMS. Will try this now (although I do like hangouts because of Google Voice as I have a US-based number used for SMS sometimes).

what makes it so terrible? i personally haven't had any issues with MMS on my M8. - i dont think i have sent a MMS at all though, only received. i send images over imgur, facebook or snapchat otherwise...

Tried sending MMS to my wife - I'm on Vodafone, she's on 2degrees. After a few tests and tracing (JohnR helped checking what was coming/going from the network) we go to the point where HTC Messages was the culprit. One in five MMS would go through, while Hangouts sends 100% of them all the time.

mrgsm021

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#1217638 19-Jan-2015 15:09

I also use the stock HTC Message on my M8. Had tried the Messages App by Google, UI looks very nice, like the Lollipop material design but it doesn't have a number appearing on the corner of the app icon showing the number of unread messages like the stock HTC Message does so have gone back to that.

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NZtechfreak

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#1217672 19-Jan-2015 15:46

I use Sliding Messaging, great app with superb functionality. The developer of that one spends more time these days with EvolveSMS which has the same functionality and better theming support, so I'd go with that. Can't abide Hangouts which has no rich notifications.

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muppet

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#1217725 19-Jan-2015 17:00

Everyone should be using TextSecure to fight the man.

Audiophiles are such twits! They buy such pointless stuff: Gold plated cables, $2000 power cords. Idiots.

OOOHHHH HYPERFIBRE!

freitasm

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#1217726 19-Jan-2015 17:04

Great idea. If EVERYONE used Android, if app would be available for EVERY platform and so.

In reality? Yeah, nah.

timmmay

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#1217780 19-Jan-2015 18:24

Whatsapp is bringing in encryption.

freitasm

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#1217796 19-Jan-2015 18:53

Yes, but it's not SMS service. I have TextSecure installed - and have ZERO of 1,200 contacts listed. I also installed Wickr and RedPhone and again no contacts using those tools.

muppet

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#1217800 19-Jan-2015 19:00

Yeah, I have 3 people that use it, all three of them I convinced to install it. It really made me realise that, even in the wake of the Snowden crap, no one cares much about privacy.

Which I can understand, to be fair.
Most people want easy to use and pretty. TS isn't really either of those and no iOS app is a real killer.

I still encourage people to install it though, the same as I encourage everyone who uses Windows to install EMET.

Audiophiles are such twits! They buy such pointless stuff: Gold plated cables, $2000 power cords. Idiots.

OOOHHHH HYPERFIBRE!