Get more messaging features with these five free apps
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Get more messaging features with these five free apps
Get more messaging features with these five free apps
In spite of all the things smartphones can do, messaging remainsrnone of the most popular activities. And although smartphones include built-in emailrnand texting functionality, lots of apps provide richer messaging capabilities.rnHere are five free apps that are worth a look.
Note: This gallery is also available as an article.
Hike Messenger
One of the coolest things about Hike is that it allows yournto send just about any type of file to your contacts. You can even sendrnnon-media files, such as ZIP files and PowerPoint files.
Hike Messenger is available on iOS, Android, and WindowsrnPhone.
GroupMe
The app includes several built-in groups, such as Family,rnBest Friends, and Co-Workers. You can easily populate these groups and you canrncreate your own groups. Two things really make GroupMe effective. First, it’srnbased on text messages — so recipients can receive a message even if they don’trnhave GroupMe installed. Second, GroupMe allows you to share your groups if yournwant, so that everyone in a group can have a copy.
GroupMe is available on iOS, Android, and Windows Phone.
Jongla
After the initial setup process, Jongla lets you chat withrnyour contacts. You can send pictures, YouTube videos, and stickers, along withrnbasic text. (The stickers are basically cartoons that respond to the touch.) Thernapp also has its own text-to-speech function that allows you to dictaternmessages.
Jongla is available on iOS, Android, and Windows Phone.
eBuddy XMS
XMS supports location sharing (via a map withrnyour GPS location marked) and video sharing.
eBuddy XMS is available on iOS, Android, and Windows Phone.
TalkBox
Numerous solutions allow you to verbally compose messages,rnbut most use voice recognition to turn your words into text. These engines arernnotoriously inaccurate, which often makes voice texting a frustratingrnexperience. With TalkBox, however, your voice — not a text representation ofrnwhat you said — is transmitted. You can even have verbal “conversations”rnwith up to nine people at a time.
TalkBox is available on iOS, Android, Windows Phone, andrnBlackberry.
