[review] Handcent SMS

[konzern]

Hello ACers im back once again bringing you an app review this time around. Normally i only do widget reviews but this app is so amazing i had to make a review.

The name of the app is "Handcent SMS"

Price = FREE

Yes this app has been in the market for a very long time but it had not caught my eye until recently. I had tried this app a long time ago but it wasnt up to par, thats not the case anymore.

MOVE OVER CHOMP SMS

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m278/konzern_one/handcent.png

The first screen you see is the conversations screen. The first difference you should see is that you can see the contacts picture of each conversation.

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m278/konzern_one/handcent3.png

By pressing menu you get the conversations menu where you can do alot of the normal stuff along with "batch mode" which allows you to delete only the conversations you check off.

This app has so many settings that i could not fit it into one screen shot

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m278/konzern_one/handcent1.png







Application Settings
*Language settings

*Applications theme
--black
--light

*Conversation Style
--Classic
--Handcent
--Iphone (this is personally my favorite)
--Android

*Display datetime format

*Display font size

*Display contact picture

*Auto rotate

*Bubble Settings (this is where this app prevails)
--smart hyperlink
--Bubble color options
--Bubble font color options

Background settings

YOU CAN USE YOUR OWN PICTURE AS A BACKGROUND
This is just a preview of what you could do with just trial and error

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m278/konzern_one/handcent2.png


you also have basic settings like those found on the native SMS app, like notifications and retrieve settings.

another great feature of this app is the POPUP included in the app itself, no more need for "SMS Popup" because this popup is even better.

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m278/konzern_one/handcent4.png

It has all the features you love about SMS Popup so i wont bother listing them, but it includes a quick reply option that does not require you to go into the app at all to reply to a message.







Back to the many settings

*Signature settings

*Text to speech settings
--Language
--Speech Rate
--Media Volume

*Black list

Now onto the actual conversations

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m278/konzern_one/handcent2.png

As you can see from the picture, you have an option at the top right corner to call the person and on the right side it has individual conversation settings.

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m278/konzern_one/handcent5.png

IMO This option is amazin because you can customize every conversation you have by changing signature and layout but the best thing is INDIVIDUAL RINGTONES! you can set a ringtone for every conversation so you know who it is without even looking at your phone

PROS
*extremely customizable
*free
*too many to list

CONS
*the datetime sometimes changes on its own


UPDATE 8/7

With the most recent update of this app they have added an option to choose your own font from font packages found thru the market.

You have to search the market for the font packs, just search "handcent" and they should show up. There is currently 2 font packs with about 5 font styles in each app.

Once you download the font pack its as easy as going to the hancent menu and choosing the "additional font package" tab.

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m278/konzern_one/handcent7.png

the only thing that frustrated me was the fact that you have to go back and forth from the menu to the texts to see the new font you pick. You dont get a preview of the font type. It only affects the actual text messages (which i like)

here is the font i chose but there is a a couple you can choose from

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m278/konzern_one/handcent6.png


overall this app is quickly becoming one of my favorite apps, i think its unique in how much you can actually customize and make it your own.

[konzern]

hmmm thats weird its not showing the lists like i did them but when i try to edit it, it shows the list correctly

[Constrabus]

This looks sweet.

Nooooiice job on the review and screenies.

Anyone know if it possible to transfer/copy old messages from Android's messaging app to this?

[notxel21]

Great Review Kon as usual!!!!!!!!!!

Keeping up the great reviews after becoming staff!! Jk!!! :D

[konzern]

thanks.

what do you mean transfer? do you mean backed up messages?

[konzern]

Great Review Kon as usual!!!!!!!!!!

Keeping up the great reviews after becoming staff!! Jk!!! :D

haha no its just that this app got such a bad rep when it came out that ppl forgot about it and now its the most amazing SMS app IMO

[Constrabus]

By transfer I mean to have the messages that came from Androids messaging app, currently in the app or backed up. Either way.

[konzern]

the on-going conversations transfer to the app automatically

[Constrabus]

the on-going conversations transfer to the app automatically

Veryyy nice.
One more question then.. How do we back up messages from this app?
or after installing, do messages go to both apps (stock and this one) and notifications are not shown from the Android app.

[Aikoa]

wow Kon...I love you this is an awesome app now...BE GONE SMS POPUP!

[konzern]

yeah conversations will show on both apps. you need to choose what app is gonna send your phone the notifications

i have
*missed call for the sound and led
*handcent for the actual notification and popup on the screen

*edit
but i did set individual conversation ringtones to test out if it worked and it does

[Derrick]

Good review. To me this app has been superior to Chomp now for a good 3 months. If the ROM I'm currently on allows it, I always use this as my default messenger.

[Constrabus]

Thanks for your help and the review.
..Installing.

[LazyGenius]

nice review... if i didnt love the default messaging app so much i would definitely be using this...

[konzern]

yeah i never liked using anything but the default app but handcent changed my mind!!!

[snorkee]

Uninstalling Chomp and SMS Popup, installing Handcent. Thanks for a great review.

[konzern]

haha thats the spirit!

[Constrabus]

yeah i never liked using anything but the default app but handcent changed my mind!!!

I was the same way.. would not even consider installing and alt app
I didnt even think I would stick with it as it was downloading.
Played around with it a little.. absolutely love it!

Now I can really stick it to iPhoners :p

[konzern]

I was the same way.. would not even consider installing and alt app
I didnt even think I would stick with it as it was downloading.
Played around with it a little.. absolutely love it!

Now I can really stick it to iPhoners :p

haha so your digging the app?

[providence]

im still using chompsms for its blacklist feature..
does handcent SMS have that feature already?

[konzern]

yeah if you long press a conversation it gives you the option to blacklist

[Constrabus]

haha so your digging the app?

yesssir
I am!
I would have never know about it if not for your review.
Thanks

[JohnnyLicious]

great review!! i forgot about this app hahah

i just use hero messaging app but makes me wanna try this =D

[fritz269]

I removed chomp and am gonna try Handcent for a while. 1.5 meg dowload so a little bigger.

[Aikoa]

okay my first problem I just ran into...why is my contact pictures not loading up? i have it selected to Large...?

[konzern]

okay my first problem I just ran into...why is my contact pictures not loading up? i have it selected to Large...?

hmmm i have never had this problem

[71CH]

werd i've been using this app for a minute. its really nice.

[*susan*]

Konzern, great review. So glad to have you on the team!!

[TheJuan]

haha kon y la mujer tuya save que tu pone eso hay, te va matar!! lol

[konzern]

haha no no sabe pero its nothing bad haha

[providence]

oh okay since it has blacklist, im using this now :)

[konzern]

i hope you dig it

[*susan*]

I love Babel Fish, comes in handy for translating.

[konzern]

whatchu talkin about willis

[Constrabus]

You werent kidding when you said it randomly changes bubble colors and transparency levels. SO annoying.

Also It has problems sending MMS messages.. I keep having to go into Androids stock app to re-send it.

[konzern]

it has never changed my bubble colors it changes the time stamp but thats about it. i havent had problems with mms

[Constrabus]

New version came in this morning. Fixed my MMS issues.
Have yet to test bubble colors.
I still have the issue where when you go to change bubble colors, sometimes the transparency bar just isnt there and just the red green and blue bars are present.

[jacklin8888]

Handcent sms 2.4 has been released ,include many cool features



Quick Text (SMS Template) function


Improve MMS compatibilty and MMS function is more stable and bug free than before.


Beautiful UI


Fix Pop up force close bug


Light Track Ball Notification when you receive an new SMS ,it more obvious than LED notification COOL!


New advance vibrate and LED frequence setting ,more free


Add Polish language support

[konzern]

UPDATED first post with the new font option

[notxel21]

UPDATED first post with the new font option

Nice!!
Hancent is my daily driver for sms! :cool:

[konzern]

for sure!

its way better than the native app and is everything in one!

it got rid of
sms popup
missed call
native sms (ok i didnt get rid of it but i dont use it)

[notxel21]

New handcent update 2.7!!

Kon please update the OP some nice new features: http://www.handcent.com/News.php

Speak Recognization on Pop up Cool!
you can speak & reply sms when you are driving,needn't type again

Batch mode for conversation window Cool!
check messages that need remove and delete once

Send Picture & music together function through MMS NOW Cool!
handcent sms include "add music " button to slide show editor when you compose MMS SlideShow and you can send Picture +Music MMS now

improvements
1. speed up conversation list load
2. improve compose message keyboard responsive
3. fix record voice on HTC HERO

[LookOut4TheYeti]

The speech to text feature is not working for me for some reason, it keeps saying "connection error" after I speak?

[jacklin8888]

LookOut4TheYeti ,you need connect your phone to internet when you use speech to text

[Androidity]

I tried it, got confusing when notification for origional sms app was always stuck at note.bar..

[stitz]

dumb question, how do I change the time settings to show 12hr only? The only way I can get it to display that way is to include the full date which is annoying. With so many customizable options, surprised I can change that. Otherwise an awesome app!

[konzern]

yeah its annoying but i dont see an option to change it

[babyd]

I love this app except for one issue.....on my HTC Hero the Handcent icon on the Home screen changes to the default htc one and the green notification bubble stays over it even when message has been read, only way to solve is to reset......very annoying and made me change back to default app. Chompsms does not do this so it must be fixable.....anyone else had this issue?

[konzern]

I love this app except for one issue.....on my HTC Hero the Handcent icon on the Home screen changes to the default htc one and the green notification bubble stays over it even when message has been read, only way to solve is to reset......very annoying and made me change back to default app. Chompsms does not do this so it must be fixable.....anyone else had this issue?

i dont really know what your trying to say, do u mean u get double notifications?

[babyd]

no, I set up the Handcent shortcut on the Home screen, in the HTC message app I make sure notifications are off, so I am only getting notifications from the Handcent one.
When I get a message, go to read it and go back to Home screen, the Handcent icon has changed into the HTC message icon, even though it goes to Handcent when pressed........it also will have the green bubble notification on the HTC icon, which never goes away, even when the message has been read. So I end up with the HTC shortcut icon with green message idicator over it, even though it points to Handcent. I have read of others having this issue too. I am using a HTC Hero........

I did email the developer and they are looking into it and hope to have an update in a few days....

[konzern]

yeah must be a hero problem, im sure the developer will get it fixed soon

[babyd]

I was surprised by how fast they acknowledged the issue and that it should be fixed in 2 days, brilliant stuff, as this app is the best, love it

[Sabbycore]

Handcent is definitely the best out right now, beats Chomp SMS and is waaaay better than the native, I love it!

[chaan]

I've been playing with this all day and love it so far; only one thing, is there really no option for custom ringtones?

[konzern]

of course there is, settings and notifications

[muhammadsauud]

I just installed handcent sms and left chomp sms its way better but the onlyy problem i'm having is that whenever i send an mms it just keeps sending it and never uses my 3G i have to delete the thread and send it through stock messaging app i installed it due to mms and now i can't use it i don't know the prob :(

[Steelers-Shaun]

Great review KON, i have been using this app for awhile and might be able to answer questions if anyone has them.... i did not read the entire thread, so not sure if these features have been mentioned but some things i like are .... the "quick text" where you can preset canned messages that you say alot and reply to someone with them with one click!....also you can speak your text message and the app will transcibe them. and will also read them to you. You can have a custom vibration pattern, and much more!

[craigers]

Hey guys...how do I disable my stock messaging app so that handcent will be the default messaging app?

[Iceberg]

Hey guys...how do I disable my stock messaging app so that handcent will be the default messaging app?

Disable the notification settings in the stock app.
menu
settings
led/vibrate/notification bar.

but typically I'd suggest uninstallin handcent then re installing it so when you work from the notification bar you can set it to handcent.

[craigers]

thanks iceberg.

[kermitcfrog]

how do i forward a message?

[RightOnTime]

Long press the message you want to send, and there should be a pop up with thing you can do. Foward should be there

[kermitcfrog]

all i get is View Delete and Blacklist

[kermitcfrog]

ok I got it sorry brain fart moment

[eminembdg]

Yea, I was going to reply that you don't hold down the msg in the msg list screen. You have to hold down the actual txt inside the conversation

[eminembdg]

Yea, I was going to reply that you don't hold down the msg in the msg list screen. You have to hold down the actual txt inside the conversation

sry, I realized this thread is about Handcent, which I don't have. I have Chomp. So I'm probably wrong about the method i mentioned. But you figured it out, so I guess no biggie then! lol

[konzern]

handcent>chomp

[Chedderknight]

handcent>chomp
I concur, handcent really has come a long way

[Iceberg]

To bad they wont adopt my new damn UI concept! But someone else is working on it :D

[Kemas]

maybe a stupid question, downloaded the app, went to settings -> countrysettings and text (dunno if i translated it correct) and then i pressed "handcent keyboard".

Now here is my problem, how do i get a shortcut on my homescreen? ive searched everywhere.. who can help me out?

[Absolute]

To bad they wont adopt my new damn UI concept! But someone else is working on it :D

let us see ur UI concept.

[Kemas]

Nobody can help me by telling me how i get an shortcut of this app on my phone? :S

[tythoward]

go to the app screen, long press sms icon, drag icon to your home screen.

[morgan]

Nobody can help me by telling me how i get an shortcut of this app on my phone? :S


there is also a widget, again long press on home, widget and handcent

[Kemas]

ye, but the prob is.. the icon isnt there.. what to do now?

[morgan]

I think i may have realized for Vzw why handcent is basically a necessity. Apparently Vzw will not break long text messages into multiple texts for you and will cut you off at 160 characters and the stock SMS doesnt count the characters for you like handcent does.

The bummer is I like the stock SMS app in 2.0 since it shows a person FB status next to the icon pic inside the thread. Handcent doesnt show the icon pic in the thread let alone the FB status (yet?) lol

[Iceberg]

I think i may have realized for Vzw why handcent is basically a necessity. Apparently Vzw will not break long text messages into multiple texts for you and will cut you off at 160 characters and the stock SMS doesnt count the characters for you like handcent does.

The bummer is I like the stock SMS app in 2.0 since it shows a person FB status next to the icon pic inside the thread. Handcent doesnt show the icon pic in the thread let alone the FB status (yet?) lol

Oh yea that's dope, I hate how Verizon does that with texts, but luckily for you you can Email the dev of handcent and request the feature :D

[Kemas]

Still havent got my problem fixed..

I downloaded handcent but there is no icon anywhere... How can i get this icon for my frontpage?

[Han1785]

just wondering... does anybody have problem with the contact names not showing up? i only have the phone numbers displayed.. no names although it's in my contact list.. greatly appreciate the help.. :)

[pixiestix]

I LOVE the fact that my message logs look like my friends' iPhone text logs... great app. Thank you for recommending it!

[SymptomsReagent]

Was using chomp but then after this review... wow this really is the sms app of choice!

[konzern]

glad we could help

[Navik]

I love Handcent. There are only a couple of issues.

Using N1:

First, the pop-up notification. You can be typing a message, then if you accidently hit the home screen, or something else interrupts, you lose that message (until the next pop-up). It does not store it as a draft or anything. Just a little annoying.

Second, would love for an input method to import contact's informaiton into the SMS.

And lastly, would love for a way to toggle between the person's name / number so you can see which number exactly you are texting.

Just some ideas. Still think this app is a must-have.

[oboreo]

just wondering... does anybody have problem with the contact names not showing up? i only have the phone numbers displayed.. no names although it's in my contact list.. greatly appreciate the help.. :)

Yea some of my contacts are just listed with a mobile number also. but once they are saved as a Phone or Google contact on the htc hero, it will display the name.. The stock HTC message is smarter in that aspect though. It doesn't require this extra step to show the name.

[shadyi]

I can't find the program on SlideMe... and Android market (http://www.android.com/market/)
doesn't have a search box nor a download link to any program...

I have HTC Magic...

Please help

[marvin02]

Handcent SMS (http://www.androlib.com/android.application.com-handcent-sms-zpx.aspx)

I use androlib.com to search for apps.

[shadyi]

It says


Applications and games for Android listed on this site are from the Android Market. You can download and install them directly on the Android Market from an Android phone.

at the bottom of Androlib.com

[lolwiki]

Hey Konzern this is a really useful review. Would you mind that I copied your review onto my website (http://wiki4android.com/blog/free-apps/handcent-sms/)?

[mrothschild]

Thanks for the review. I really love the popup SMS.

[sbank]

Love Handcent on my brand new Droid X, but having trouble figuring out how to assign individual ringtones of songs I have downloaded to each contact. Can someone please give this smartphone newbee step-by-step-for-dummies instruction on how to do that? Thanks.

[marvin02]

Love Handcent on my brand new Droid X, but having trouble figuring out how to assign individual ringtones of songs I have downloaded to each contact. Can someone please give this smartphone newbee step-by-step-for-dummies instruction on how to do that? Thanks.

When you are viewing a conversation with a contact tap the icon at the right if the contact's name in the header (bar at the top) and you can change the settings for that contact.