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SMS integration within Google Hangouts on its way

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by Jeff Causey on
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When Google announced the new Hangouts application yesterday, many people were excited to finally have an integrated, synced messaging service. That excitement was tempered by the realization that SMS was not supported – at least, not yet. The lack of SMS integration was curious since the application’s permissions include the ability to send, receive, and read SMS messages. Some users were also getting messages during the installation or upgrade process that seemed to indicate the app was using SMS for phone number verifications.

A message from Dori Storbeck, community manager with Google indicates “SMS integration is coming soon – it is one of our most requested features!”  Storbeck did post an update later indicating “We actually have nothing to announce at this time.” The pieces seem to be in place for SMS integration and it is clearly a function that users are interested in having. The question remains as to when it will be made available.

source: +Dori Storbeck

Google Hangouts requires permissions to receive, read, and send SMS messages, could support be added soon?

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by Aditya Thawardas on
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Very early reviews of Google Hangouts seem to be mixed. Many people love the new service, but many are also unhappy with the fact that SMS messaging is not integrated. These users have quickly dominated the app’s reviews in the Play Store, pleading for the feature to be added to what is supposed to be a unified messaging system.

However, a quick look at the permissions Google Hangouts requires reveals that SMS support could be coming soon. Among the permissions the app has access to - receiving text messages (SMS), reading text messages (SMS or MMS), and sending SMS messages – none of which the app currently seems to actually be using.  I’m keeping my fingers crossed that this means SMS support will be added sooner than later (maybe with Android 4.3?), making it even more of a truly unified messaging system. After the break you can read the message permissions Google Hangouts requires. » Read the rest

How to send SMS or MMS text messages from your PC or tablet using your Android phone number

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by Jared Peters on
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Our little Android devices can do almost as much as some PCs, but it’s easy to forget that your smartphone is still a phone at heart. And with all the instant messaging services available for you to communicate, sometimes text messaging gets put in the backseat to the more robust features of something like Google Talk. Being able to keep up a conversation across multiple devices is incredibly handy, and it’s often much easier to type on a full computer keyboard as opposed to a smaller smartphone keyboard.

Using instant messaging isn’t without it’s flaws, however. If you have friends that all use different IM services, or friends without smartphones, it can be difficult to keep up with all of them in different programs and browser tabs on your desktop, and in the case of messaging someone without a smartphone, you’ll have to use your phone to send traditional text messages anyway. With this guide, we’re going to get into a few different apps that add many of those instant messaging features to your SMS text messaging, including being able to send texts from different devices and syncing conversations across devices.

» Read the rest

Lookout IDs SpamSoldier SMS spammer botnet

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by Jeff Causey on
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Mobile security firm Lookout has posted a security alert on their blog regarding a new threat they have identified for mobile devices. Working with carriers, Lookout has identified SpamSoldier, which they describe as a spammer botnet agent that uses infected phones to send SMS spam messages. They do not indicate which platforms are subject to attack, although the original attack vector is via an SMS message and not through any apps downloaded via app stores. » Read the rest

Facebook Messenger To Only Require Name And Number To Use Service, Pushes SMS One Step Closer To Extinction

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by Roy Alugbue on
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Facebook’s Messenger app has loosened its chains a little and is on its way to being a viable replacement to standard SMS. Hot off the heels of integrating itself with standard texting, Facebook recently announced that users will no longer need to sign into to their Facebook accounts in order to use Messenger— instead, users will only need to provide a name and a number in order to communicate with their friends— similar to what GroupMe or WhatsApp does already. There seems to be some sound reasoning to this decision as Facebook is looking to compete directly against iChat and BBM users. More importantly– the new Facebook Messenger app will be set up as a more efficient and more compelling alternative to the slow and outdated SMS standard.

While the new advancement of Facebook Messenger is exciting and all— most users probably shouldn’t expect to see the new update at least right away. It’s worth noting that India, Australia, Indonesia, Venezuela, and South Africa are the only countries able to take advantage of the new update for now. Knowing Mark Zuckerberg though– it probably won’t be too long of a wait to see other countries take advantage of this sooner than later.

source: The Verge

Pinger offers free voice calls and texting to Android users

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by Colton Kaiser on
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So-called free text and voice alternatives have long dominated the Play Store, each with their own unique set of limitations and caveats. Pinger, however, is a new application, and while it’s mostly more of the same, it also manages to squeeze in a few additional features that direct competitors have been missing.

Similarly to Google Voice, Pinger will provide you with a personal phone number which can be given to friends and family. The same number can be used regardless if the person on the other end is using Pinger or not, meaning mobile to mobile, mobile to landline and vice-versa are all supported. You’ll also get a personal voicemail inbox, so contacts can leave voice messages in the event that you are unreachable. Incoming calls are free, though you’ll need to pony up some extra cash to buy minutes for outgoing calls (new users receive 20 minutes free). Currently the full service is limited solely to the United States and Canada, though free text messages can be sent in an additional 35 countries.

As with these types of applications, there are several limitations. For starters, Pinger SMS works only between two Pinger users, meaning you won’t be able to exchange photos or videos friends who aren’t using the service. Also, because Pinger is a VoIP application, you’ll need an established data connection to utilize any of the service’s functionality. And, with data fees becoming increasingly more expensive, the idea doesn’t seem too tempting. Catch the official PR after the break.

» Read the rest

MightyText Lets You Send Text Messages From Any Web Browser, is Mighty Useful

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by Brian Kramer on
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MightyText is an incredibly useful app for those of us who spend a lot of time in front of a computer all day.  The app allows you to receive and send sms messages from within your web browser using that nice big keyboard sitting right in front of you instead of pecking away at the phone.  This is not only faster, but allows you to stay somewhat focused on whatever it is you’re supposed to be doing when you’re not texting.   » Read the rest

Samsung launches ChatOn mobile messenger in the Android Market

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by Stacy Bruce on
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Samsung’s cross platform messaging app ChatOn was just launched Friday morning and is available now in the Android Market. It was back in August when we first told you about ChatOn and that it is similar to RIM’s Blackberry BBM, Apple’s iMessage, and Goggle talk. Made to replace your cellphone’s factory SMS/MMS service, ChatOn is currently available on Android, Bada and Samsung feature phones with the promise of extending support to iOS and Blackberry in the near future.

The service only works on mobile devices right now but Samsung plans to offer a Web-based service allowing for users to chat via their PC’s as well. ChatOn users can talk one-to-one or in groups, share photos, videos, voice messages and contact information. Feature phones are limited to sending text, images, calendar appointments and contact sharing. Smartphone owners get an upgraded version allowing to comment on each others profiles, send multimedia messages and monitor their own “Interaction Rank” based on how active they are on the ChatOn network.

This new Sammy app only works on Android 2.2 or 2.3. Follow the links below for your free download and be sure to let us know what you think!



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Android Market

Sprint EVO 4G getting update today, fixes Netflix and SMS

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by Robert Nazarian on
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Recently the EVO 4G was updated to Gingerbread, but there were some bugs. A major one was Netflix completely disappearing because of Gingerbread compatibility issues. A maintenance update (version 4.24.651.1) went live today that fixes the following items:

  • SMS are intermittently sent to wrong and seemingly random contact
  • “Me” instead of “Yo” in SMS thread conversations when set to Spanish
  • Unable to stream media thru some applications after updating to 3.70
  • Email attachments are not displayed in the mail client
  • Multiple Gmail accounts no longer sync after FroYo update
  • Fix for battery discharge issue
  • Android 2.3 (Gingerbread)
  • Downloads managementThe Downloads application gives the user easy access
  • to any file downloaded from the browser, email,or another application
  • Corrects voicemail notification issue (from 4.22.651.2)
  • Corrects issue with hearing aid compatibility menu disappearing (from 4.22.651.2)
  • Netflix compatibility (from 4.22.651.2)

Kudos to HTC for getting this done quickly.

[via androidcentral]

Howto guide on SMS backups for Android devices

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by Jesse Bauer on
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uppidy

There’s many an app available on the Android Market for anyone who wants to back up their devices features, apps, or documents. What about your SMS messages? Yup, there’s a way to do that too. XDA member Pyr0TeK was kind enough to write up a little guide over it, with the aid of two apps available on the Android Market, which you’ll be able to download below.

You’ll need to download the following apps to get the process started. Simply scan or click below to grab and install.

smartbar qr uppidy qr

Smart Bar – - – - – - – - – - – - -Uppidy

Steps below.

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