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It seems to me that almost all android users feel very passionately about handcent. everybody is saying it is SO MUCH BETTER THAN THE STOCK MESSAGING APP. So i've decided to give it a try, played around with it for a little bit, but i don't really get what the fuss is all about. I actually prefer the stock messaging app for its very simple feature...if i am messaging someone and decide that I need to just talk on the phone, i can long-hold on his name and a menu will pop up, allowing me to call him.
But the fact that so many people like handcent makes me think i must be missing something? It seems like many like the ability to customize it. But i am failing to understand what you really need to customize for text messaging...what does the default setting in the stock messaging app really lack? anyone care to enlighten me?
Hi, I as a new to Android user (having the Inc for almost a week now), installed handcent on my 2nd day of ownership. My choice behind this was really only to allow for the enter key to be used as 'send' function. However, I really had no problem with the stock app. That being said, I believe that a lot of people give this program shining reviews if just for how customizable it is. It seems as though with this program there is always something to change as to not get bored with a simple thing such as texting.
As per your issue with calling straight from a message, you can simply hit the phone icon and select call.
Meh. Tried Handcent for a few days based on people's glowing recommendations. I like ChompSMS better. Try them all and see which suits you best is my advice.
I don't think Handcent is "all that" for the Incredible. On the Moto Droid, you could change the color/duration of the LED and that was my main reason for using it on that. I liked the ability to change the color based on email, text, Facebook, etc. I still use it on my Inc, but I don't think I'd miss it if I uninstalled.
I liked the pop ups and custom ringtones. After it started keeping my phone awake and chomp just annoys me I started using the stock message app and thats about it. Quite happy with it. Plus when I reported the issue to the dev I got one snarky email back so screw em. I'll turn on sms pop up occasionally if I need the pop ups, or better yet I'd pay good money for a text app that allowed switching between chats like g talk or BB messaging.
I put it on my Droid b/c of the customization features. I like being able to use the black theme, iPhone skin, and Handcent Classic conversation style. I like being able to change the gradient colors for my text bubbles, and being able to change the LED to how I see fit.
__________________ "How many bloody Gs are there?"
I tried Handcent and didn't see what all of the fuss was about either. Word of mouth is really powerful on this forum. I have been seeing a huge fuss over Steinheil screen protectors as well and I don't see anything in my findings to justify it either.
Can you use voice to text with the stock keyboard and swype? I was hearing that complaint from other members that were not using handcent. With Swype and handcent, you hit menu and the microphone button is right there for vtt.
I love it just for the "Caller txt ringer ID sound notification feature." My old LG 8000 had this, then it disappeared with the 8700 and Dare. Didn't notice that we can't just call a person from their incoming text though, that kinda stinks.
Device(s): HTC Incredible (Current)
Motorola Droid (Had for 5 months)
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My incredible...i have handcent sms I use it. I also did on my MOTO droid. But on my incredible...my led light it won't change to any colors I select. It will only blink green. Does that option of the led light to change colors only work on the moto Droid?
I like it for the popup notification. It's annoying having to click on messaging or drag down the notifications to reply every time. The popup is the main thing for me. I also like the press enter to send feature. Also the customizations that it allows are nice.
I like Handcent. I tried it once and deleted it but after re-installing and playing around with some settings I think it's good looking. I'm using CONVERSATION STYLE handcent classic, THEME light, and SKIN hero. I also got rid of pop-ups and made the text entry field one line. I can't figure out how to make my conversation list settings appear though.
My incredible...i have handcent sms I use it. I also did on my MOTO droid. But on my incredible...my led light it won't change to any colors I select. It will only blink green. Does that option of the led light to change colors only work on the moto Droid?
I think the incredible only has orange and green LED...and so far I haven't seen any program that can change between them
Device(s): HTC Droid DNA,
HP Touchpad (CM9), Logitech Revue
Carrier: Verizon
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If you use swype, then the stock message doesn't allow voice to text input, (that I know of) but with the combination of swype and handcent you still have that option. I think swype is the real game changing app, but the beta's closed right now so you'll have to dig through the forum to find it. Other than that, the customization is the biggest thing on hancent, you can change colors, fonts and all, plus you can change the texting background to one of your photos.
I use Google Voice for SMS, so I never really got to play with ChompSMS or Handcent. But I like the simple thread layout (and the not paying for SMS is nice, too), so that works. I loathed the text bubble layout (I did try Handcent for 6 hours when I first got my Eris and before I saw the native Voice app), so that alone would kill me.
after reading everyone freaking out about handcent, i DL'ed it, played around with it a little, then uninstalled it. no problems with it really, except i prefer my messaging to be simple, and the stock one gave me that. coupled with SMSPopup, it's all i need.
also, the bubbles threw me off. okay, we all know iPhone started the smartphone battle, but do the texts need to look like theirs, too?
I know I should probably know this, but has the stock messaging app been updated to provide pop-up notifications for text messages? That is the only advantage that I see with Handcent or another messaging app over stock. Frankly, Handcent gets on my nerves sometimes with lag, force closes, and the occasional inbox wipe.
I know I should probably know this, but has the stock messaging app been updated to provide pop-up notifications for text messages? That is the only advantage that I see with Handcent or another messaging app over stock. Frankly, Handcent gets on my nerves sometimes with lag, force closes, and the occasional inbox wipe.
stock no....sms popup does though and you can stick with stock messaging.
My only reason I chose Handcent.....aesthetics. Being able to modify backgrounds, font, font color, etc is nice. I'm just really into making my phone looking badass at all times
Can you use voice to text with the stock keyboard and swype? I was hearing that complaint from other members that were not using handcent. With Swype and handcent, you hit menu and the microphone button is right there for vtt.
The newest version of swype has the microphone button, so it's not a problem anymore.
Not only that but pop ups while using navigation are what turned me off forever. Just annoying. Once they made the stock not notify if screen was on and thread open I have never looked back. Best feature ever
It seems to me that almost all android users feel very passionately about handcent. everybody is saying it is SO MUCH BETTER THAN THE STOCK MESSAGING APP. So i've decided to give it a try, played around with it for a little bit, but i don't really get what the fuss is all about. I actually prefer the stock messaging app for its very simple feature...if i am messaging someone and decide that I need to just talk on the phone, i can long-hold on his name and a menu will pop up, allowing me to call him.
But the fact that so many people like handcent makes me think i must be missing something? It seems like many like the ability to customize it. But i am failing to understand what you really need to customize for text messaging...what does the default setting in the stock messaging app really lack? anyone care to enlighten me?
people originally loved it because there is a button to call the contact directly from the app, where as the stock one was not able to do so before. Also I like the fact that my messages are separated from the other person's. There is also the voice to text without opening the keyboard. Some people like the popups, kind of like on the iPhone.
It's the best txt app I've used. Custom fonts, themes, Pop ups, ect. Also it allows you to use any audio file as a ringtone not just for handcent but for calls and email and everything else. I like it because I can change my backgrounds to black to save battery and custom tones.
Works well, is customizable, and has the bubble method which is good.
Does anyone know how to send and reply to multiple numbers in one text? My iPhone friends do it all the time and it aggravates me I cannot answer all at once. Anyone?
I believe you have to select them in a new thread. So if you text Timmy John and Jack, "We are going to Brunswick for drinks at 930" it will make one thread with you to all of them. Then if John says, "I am banned from Brunswick" that will be a new thread where you can privately talk to John. If you want to tell everyone you are going to Lucky Strike instead, you can go back to the original thread and it will send the message to all of them.
I originally started using handcent for pop ups and customization but it started getting really laggy. So I tried out GoSMS. Way faster and does what it want, win win.
I originally started using handcent for pop ups and customization but it started getting really laggy. So I tried out GoSMS. Way faster and does what it want, win win.
I tried Go SMS, but I do not like the popups. I turn them off on GoSMS and after the app gets killed or phone is rebooted all of the settings reset, bringing the popups back.
But the fact that so many people like handcent makes me think i must be missing something?
I thought the same thing. I installed it. It had some features. Easier to see who's written what in SMS history between persons, some smileys (which I am unsure if the receiver would see if she/he doesn't have the app). I installed it on my HTC Desire Z, and what happened was that it screwed up my default message app. It didn't show all the messages no more (on the 7 slide homescreen), and it said "null" below every message (on the 7 slide homescreen). So I uninstalled it. It didn't get fixed, but now my phone's been factory reset, so now it's working like normal again.
I think the reason I got Handcent was to see what the fuss was about...it's been my texting app of choice ever since. I'm in on a car audio competition team and when I need to send texts to all my guys at once, Handcent lets me do that. I can fully customize the look and actions of Handcent and I can call someone if I don't feel like texting them anymore by simply pressing the phone icon at the top left of the screen.
I use handcent to light up the screen when I get a text (with no pop-up, just turns on the screen) and to not have those annoying back-and-forth bubbles (just a straight list). I also like my colors/style better.
What is handcent really good for anyways?
flashes red when battery's about to die.
