SMS Chat by Symbianwave (Threaded SMS and More!)
With all of the buzz going around about the new Conversation app available from Nokia Beta Labs, I figured I’d review the app that I use for threaded SMS. Granted Conversation is still in beta but it has many, many holes that quite frankly are already filled by SMS Chat.
First and foremost, SMS Chat replaces S60’s integrated messaging app. In my opinion this is an absolute requirement for a threaded SMS app. What’s the point if you have to exit the new SMS pop up and open the app manually every time you get a new SMS?
SMS chat doesn’t disable the integrated new message pop up - instead it pops up it’s own notification over it (and over most apps as seen above) which includes the name of the sender! Once you select Show, SMS Chat will open straight to the threaded conversation with the newest message at the bottom. The contact name and number displays at the top and you can also see that the app translates emoticons for you. When composing a message it also allows you to select from a list of emoticons by selecting Options -> Insert smiley.
While viewing an SMS thread it’s very simple to reply to your contact by pressing New SMS on the right soft key. Once your message is sent it will appear at the bottom of the thread and a small check mark indicates that the message was sent successfully. You can also select from five different ’skins’ that will change the graphics and layout of the threads. The one pictured above is the default skin.
The main screen of the app is headed with a New message option that allows you to select a contact to create a new message for, or enter a destination number manually. It should be noted that unlike similar apps, SMS Chat does not list all of your contacts in the main view. At first this annoyed me but then I realized that I like it much better. To add a contact to the main screen of the app, you must either select them from within People or receive a message from them while SMS Chat is running. In either of those cases they will be added to the list and their SMS thread will be built (including any messages to/from them in your device history).
In order for SMS Chat to operate it does need to be running in the background. It doesn’t have a process that remains open when you exit the app which is of course the most desirable solution, but within the settings you can configure the red end key to reduce SMS Chat to the background. It only took me about three or four uses to get acclimated to this function but now it’s automatic for me. The app also doesn’t currently support autostarting but we all know that this can be easily remedied with Powerboot by Wireless Labs.
Navigation beyond scrolling within a message thread is a bit quirky, but the app gives you a good amount of useful functions. From within any thread you can quickly jump to the top or bottom of the thread, search, switch threads, view message details and even initiate a call to the contact.
The last function I’ll cover in this review is something that is sorely missing from S60 and to my knowledge, isn’t available with any other app at the moment. SMS Chat supports scheduled messaging - in other words you can type a message and have SMS Chat automatically send it at a later point in time! From the New message screen once you’re finished typing your SMS, simply select Options -> Message -> Schedule to define the time that your SMS should be automatically sent.
All in all this is an app that is very usable but still needs some work and a bit of logical reorganization. It is however, without a doubt the best option available for S60 3rd when it comes to threaded SMS. I still use TextQuick 100% of the time to send an initial SMS but for subsequent messages and incoming SMS I really do enjoy SMS Chat. Organizing your SMS messages into threads is simply a better way to handle messaging, allowing you to easily refer to older messages for reference. Symbianwave offers a nice long 15-day trial period so that you have time to get used to the app before you must purchase it. This is most definitely an app that you will miss if you let the trial period run out.
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