Android’s built in messaging application is a bit on the clunky and featureless side of the app pool. I was unsatisfied with it’s slow loading and bleak appearance. While SMS does appear in an appealing thread like view, it’s still occasionally difficult to decipher the difference between sender and recipient.
Upon installing Handcent SMS onto my Motorola Droid, I was instantly pleased with just skin level appearance and functionality. the ability to personalize and customize is endless! SMS messages are received in thread view, much the same as the original OS version. However, the user has the option to change the overall theme to appear just like the iPhone’s built in messaging app. There are even additional font packs available in the market to personalize the font. The message balloons can also be customized by color and transparency. This really helps the user quickly identify incoming and outgoing text messages.
Another fantastic feature of the Handcent SMS messaging application for Android is the Popup option. The user can select to have a pop up appear for each incoming text message. So, while the phone is locked or in sleep mode, a small text box will appear with the new message, and then slowly fade out. This could pose a problem for those notorious for “butt-dialing.” As the popup will enable the touch screen keyboard, thus allowing keys to be pressed and gibberish messages to be sent without user knowledge. Possibly a feature to tack on in the future, would be a swipe to respond key with the pop up box, in order to keep from such text mishaps.
Handcent SMS also comes with widget to add to your homescreen. This widget not only allows instant access to the user’s text conversations, but also keeps a running count of new messages. The Android’s built in SMS application does not include this feature. So a new text message notification on the widget itself keeps things simple and functional.
Overall, Handcent SMS is a fantastic application that is continually updated with new features. It is perfect for the personalization enthusiast as well as the productivity officiant. It constantly maintains good reviews on the Android Marketplace, and maintains it’s standing as one of the most downloaded apps.
