What is handcent really good for anyways?

[griller]

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?

 

[leftythrillz]

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.

 

[mrjinglesusa]

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.

 

[nunyabizness]

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.

 

[gruss]

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.

 

[YankeeDudeL]

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.

 

[WizeGuyDezignz]

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.

 

[golfinglenn]

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.

 

[Wrathix]

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.

 

[HTCIncredible]

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?

 

[Brian_83]

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.

 

[yojoe600]

i dont like handcent for the fact i like my phone looking like and android and not like an iphone so i use the stock and love it

 

[nav525]

Does the stock sms app split up messages that are more than 140 characters? I believe handcent does this.

 

[andyandroid81891]

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.

 

[andyandroid81891]

The stock message app always spells the contacts name right. Handcent auto corrects if the name is uncommon.

 

[phareous]

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

 

[fish2587]

I think the incredible only has orange and green LED...and so far I haven't seen any program that can change between them

and red... flashes red when battery's about to die.

 

[Randino]

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.

 

[nkk]

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.

-NKk

 

[jetfactor]

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?

 

[Rdjr74]

Does the stock sms app split up messages that are more than 140 characters? I believe handcent does this.

There was a previous update that took care of this issue and you now have the option to not split it up.

 

[Rdjr74]

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 could care less if it looks like the I* bubbles. It's more convenient for me to read that way.

 

[eipee73]

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.

 

[jetfactor]

I could care less if it looks like the I* bubbles. It's more convenient for me to read that way.

heh, sweet. to each their own then.

 

[gruss]

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.