Gear Diary Need another reason to Jailbreak? photo

Still on the fence about whether or not you should Jailbreak your iPhone?

Maybe biteSMS will push you to the dark side.

biteSMS is a full featured SMS client that replaces the built in messaging application on your iPhone.  It has some really great features and I consider it a must have for anyone running a Jailbroken phone.

Apart from the pink icon the application itself looks much like the default messaging app that’s on the iPhone.

Instead of just the compose button you’ll also have a settings button as well.

Gear Diary Need another reason to Jailbreak? photo

The settings are quite detailed.

Gear Diary Need another reason to Jailbreak? photo

The first thing to configure is whether you’ll send SMS messages via your own cellular carrier or via biteSMS.  If you choose biteSMS you’ll need to buy credits.

In the United States credits are .10 cents per message.

You can set details about your own carrier’s SMS plan which helps track how many messages you’ve sent.

Gear Diary Need another reason to Jailbreak? photo

You can also enable or disable to Quick Reply feature, Quick Compose, Auto Correct and Smileys.

Gear Diary Need another reason to Jailbreak? photo

Where bitSMS really shines is with its Quick Reply and Quick Compose feature.

Normally when an SMS message comes into your iPhone you have to leave whatever application your in to view and respond to the message.

Same holds true if you wish to send a new SMS message.

biteSMS allows you not only to read the message anywhere, but to respond to it or compose a new message, no matter what app or screen you’re on.

If you want to compose a message the default way you can do that too, right from the app.

Gear Diary Need another reason to Jailbreak? photo

But let’s say you want to compose a message right from the springboard.

You simply press the volume rocker and then tap the audio icon. (Your volume rocker continues to work just like it always has.)

Gear Diary Need another reason to Jailbreak? photo

This launches the biteSMS compose box.

Gear Diary Need another reason to Jailbreak? photo

You may then enter a phone number or a contact already in your address book.

Type out your message and when you’re ready hit send.

Gear Diary Need another reason to Jailbreak? photo

The message gets sent right from there and you see its progress in a bar on the screen.

Gear Diary Need another reason to Jailbreak? photo

When a new message arrives the biteSMS window pops up wherever you are.

Gear Diary Need another reason to Jailbreak? photo

You can choose to quickly respond to the message right in the box or to launch the traditional messaging app to view the message again or respond to the message there.

Gear Diary Need another reason to Jailbreak? photo

Even while reading my e-mail I’m able to send/read new incoming SMS messages without ever leaving my Mail Inbox.

Gear Diary Need another reason to Jailbreak? photo

biteSMS is one of those applications that makes you question why it wasn’t included in the iPhone OS.  It makes messaging so much easier.

I’ve only touched on a few of the key features in this review and biteSMS has a lot more.

You can purchase biteSMS one of two ways.  Either purchase credits for .10 cents each or if you don’t need credits buy a full license and use your own carrier to send/receive for $5.95.

You can learn more about biteSMS on the developer’s web site.

M.S.R.P. – 10 cents a message or $5.95 for full license

What I like – send & receive SMS messages from anywhere on the phone.

What I don’t like – nothing.

Tags: ,



I have always had a passion for gear and gadgets. It all started for me with the release of the very first Palm Pilot. I've always had an interest in handheld electronics. From handheld PDAs, to cell phones, Mp3 players, watches and other products, I'm the first person my friends, family and colleagues call when they need advice on tech. I have roots in the online tech. forum community. I served as the Administrator to Howard Forums.com and as a Moderator at both Treo Central.com and Blackberry Forums.net. Under the screen name “lgreenberg” I've amassed 50,000+ postings. I also manage my own YouTube channel under the user name larrygreenberg. I'm always eager to help.
  • http://mlearning.edublogs.org mlearning

    “M.S.R.P. – .10 cents a message or $5.95 for full license”

    Could you please clarify, are messages 10c a message, or .10 cents a message? There is a considerable difference between these two values. .10 cents is one-tenth of a cent, which sounds like a great way to send messages very, very cheaply.

    Thanks!
    Leonard.

  • Larry Greenberg

    10 cents per message (as in a dime, 10 pennies, 2 nickels etc.)

  • http://twitter.com/johnbulmer/status/2950485360 John Bulmer

    Need another reason to Jailbreak? http://tinyurl.com/lkowyj from @iNewsApp

  • thehotrod

    How about performance? I love winterboard but it was just too taxing in my 3g. Does having bitesms running slow the system down any?

  • Larry Greenberg

    I can only comment on the 3GS but I see no performance issues.

    There is a 30 day trial so you can always test it out.

  • thehotrod

    Ah, rub it in. So does the 3GS has any performance issues with winterboard? Or is it powerful enough?

  • Larry Greenberg

    Much better on the 3GS. Virtually no lag.

  • thehotrod

    thanks Larry.

    Just another reason I need to get a 3gs.



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