Switching to Android - can you answer these questions for me?

[MACelmore]

Okay, so I'm making the switch to Android this year. It's either going to be the Samsung S6 Edge, or I'll wait for the Note 5. Maybe LG can lure me in this summer.... I'm not sure where I'm going but I know it won't be Apple.

But before I make the jump, can someone who is running Lollipop answer these questions:

1. Messaging. I send alot of GIFs and self-recorded videos to friends, both on Android and iPhone. Currently, these files go through without a hitch. I have heard Android users having problems sending GIFs. Does anyone have this issue? Is there a workaround? Are you able to send videos without hiccups?

2. Multimedia. I'm basing this assumption off of the last Android I owned (an HTC Evo), but it used to be extremely difficult to play things in-browser. For example, if I'm reading a blog and the author has imbedded a video or an audio player, I would have trouble accessing that on Android. I don't have an issue with that on iPhone (again, it's been awhile since I've had Android). Is that still a problem?

3. Group messaging. I have 3 friends that have recently made the switch to Android and our group messages are all screwed up. Are they using the wrong texting app? Or is this an Android negative?

I'm soliciting folks that are running Lollipop because that's most likely the OS I'll be using unless the latest and greatest is released ahead of the Note 5. Thanks for the replies in advance!

 

[illusionx]

I can't answer all your questions....

1. I've never sent a GIF over mms or other mess engine app.

2. Chrome and Firefox allow you to play the videos within the browser or YouTube app if is a YouTube video. I haven't seen any issues so far using a OnePlus One.

3. I don't think plain SMS works very well in a group message. On an iPhone, you are probably doing iMessage. On an Android, you have Hangout app for this.

 

[MasterRyu2011]

Okay, so I'm making the switch to Android this year. It's either going to be the Samsung S6 Edge, or I'll wait for the Note 5. Maybe LG can lure me in this summer.... I'm not sure where I'm going but I know it won't be Apple.

But before I make the jump, can someone who is running Lollipop answer these questions:

1. Messaging. I send alot of GIFs and self-recorded videos to friends, both on Android and iPhone. Currently, these files go through without a hitch. I have heard Android users having problems sending GIFs. Does anyone have this issue? Is there a workaround? Are you able to send videos without hiccups?

2. Multimedia. I'm basing this assumption off of the last Android I owned (an HTC Evo), but it used to be extremely difficult to play things in-browser. For example, if I'm reading a blog and the author has imbedded a video or an audio player, I would have trouble accessing that on Android. I don't have an issue with that on iPhone (again, it's been awhile since I've had Android). Is that still a problem?

3. Group messaging. I have 3 friends that have recently made the switch to Android and our group messages are all screwed up. Are they using the wrong texting app? Or is this an Android negative?

I'm soliciting folks that are running Lollipop because that's most likely the OS I'll be using unless the latest and greatest is released ahead of the Note 5. Thanks for the replies in advance!

1) No problem. Often, todya's Android phone can usually play stuff in a browser that iPhones can't.

2) If you're using an Android phone, you don't have access to iMessage. Sending a video using normal carrier messaging means your video will be compressed for transmissions' sake. It won't look as good. Just make sure to use another messaging service that can send uncompressed video like iMessage can. I don't see any issue with gifs, since their small in size.

3) Like someone said, carrier message is not that great with group messaging. However, Hangouts (the equivalent to iMessage) works fine.

 

[rockitdog]

1) No problem. Often, todya's Android phone can usually play stuff in a browser that iPhones can't.

2) If you're using an Android phone, you don't have access to iMessage. Sending a video using normal carrier messaging means your video will be compressed for transmissions' sake. It won't look as good. Just make sure to use another messaging service that can send uncompressed video like iMessage can. I don't see any issue with gifs, since their small in size.

3) Like someone said, carrier message is not that great with group messaging. However, Hangouts (the equivalent to iMessage) works fine.

Can you recommend one?

 

[illusionx]

Can you recommend one?

Hangout. A Google service that also work with iPhone.

 

[rockitdog]

Hangout. A Google service that also work with iPhone.

So videos passed through hangouts will comes through in higher quality than those through MMS?

 

[illusionx]

I'm sure it would be better quality than an mms.

Many people use alternatives such as wechat, viber and whatsapp. They all send good quality videos AFAIK.

 

[Fanaticalism]

So videos passed through hangouts will comes through in higher quality than those through MMS?

Yes but still have a size limitation. If its a video selected from the gallery and it is too large it won't let you attach it. If its a video you recorded from within the hangouts app it will automatically compress it so it will transmit but will be received by the recipient in compressed form.

The only apps that are equivalent to iMessage for videos are WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger that I know of.

GIFs are no biggie.

Group messaging with Hangouts is not a problem for me regardless if its MMS or IM. The only people that I know of that have had issues with group texts are those that came from an iPhone and have continuous issues with non-apple devices.

 

[M-B-P]

Textra:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.textra&hl=en

An alternative text messaging app that supports group texting with lots of other options as well.

 

[Truefan31]

Okay, so I'm making the switch to Android this year. It's either going to be the Samsung S6 Edge, or I'll wait for the Note 5. Maybe LG can lure me in this summer.... I'm not sure where I'm going but I know it won't be Apple.



But before I make the jump, can someone who is running Lollipop answer these questions:



1. Messaging. I send alot of GIFs and self-recorded videos to friends, both on Android and iPhone. Currently, these files go through without a hitch. I have heard Android users having problems sending GIFs. Does anyone have this issue? Is there a workaround? Are you able to send videos without hiccups?



2. Multimedia. I'm basing this assumption off of the last Android I owned (an HTC Evo), but it used to be extremely difficult to play things in-browser. For example, if I'm reading a blog and the author has imbedded a video or an audio player, I would have trouble accessing that on Android. I don't have an issue with that on iPhone (again, it's been awhile since I've had Android). Is that still a problem?



3. Group messaging. I have 3 friends that have recently made the switch to Android and our group messages are all screwed up. Are they using the wrong texting app? Or is this an Android negative?



I'm soliciting folks that are running Lollipop because that's most likely the OS I'll be using unless the latest and greatest is released ahead of the Note 5. Thanks for the replies in advance!

Honestly u could wait for the iPhone 6s if you do these things a lot. Seems like it'd be less headache unless u absolutely cannot do iPhone.

 

[MACelmore]

Yes but still have a size limitation. If its a video selected from the gallery and it is too large it won't let you attach it. If its a video you recorded from within the hangouts app it will automatically compress it so it will transmit but will be received by the recipient in compressed form.

The only apps that are equivalent to iMessage for videos are WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger that I know of.

GIFs are no biggie.

Group messaging with Hangouts is not a problem for me regardless if its MMS or IM. The only people that I know of that have had issues with group texts are those that came from an iPhone and have continuous issues with non-apple devices.

I don't have a problem using WhatsApp.... But here's my follow-up question. Does the person on the receiving end have to have WhatsApp to really take advantage of its features?

----------

Honestly u could wait for the iPhone 6s if you do these things a lot. Seems like it'd be less headache unless u absolutely cannot do iPhone.

I love my iPhone, it's iOS that I'm sick and tired of.

 

[illusionx]

Switching to Android - can you answer these questions for me?

^^

Yes. Like all messaging services, both end need to use the same service to be able to communicate.

 

[SurferMan]

^^

Yes. Like all messaging services, both end need to use the same service to be able to communicate.

Yup, and this is the problem. I don't know why Google or anyone hasn't made a universal app that will work with iMessage and integrate with Android without the carrier limits the way iMessage is a part of iOS. Hangouts is iffy and whatsapp well same issue for all them, the other end has to have it installed, good luck telling every single one of your friends/contacts that own an iPhone to download X app.

Its the only thing of iOS I liked, even though actually didn't really care for iMessage as a whole. The ease of sending pics and vids with no sucky compression is a +. Even on xda peeps are like download X app problem solved.... well no, other party has to have the app as well. Android should (needs) its own integrated messaging service like iMessage.

The only time I've had issues (not many) pop up with messages has been from iPhone users sending or if there is an iPhone user in a group text. Like an image will be sent, and all that will show is that error box with an exclamation point. Has never happened all these years if from an Android user on other end.

 

[illusionx]

Hangouts has all the advantages of messages (iMessage) in iOS and it is not bound to iOS only.

In iOS, you are forced to use your message app for iMessages. While in Android, you can use your hangouts app or the messages app for plain old sms.

 

[SurferMan]

Hangouts has all the advantages of messages (iMessage) in iOS and it is not bound to iOS only.

In iOS, you are forced to use your message app for iMessages. While in Android, you can use your hangouts app or the messages app for plain old sms.

The problem is, unless something has changed it still doesn't handle pics/vids as well as iMessage when I tried it. iMessage is done in the msg app itself so no need for two different apps. An iPhone user can send another iPhone user text, pics, vids no prob. Text isn't the issue really, its the media side, that same user sends those videos or limiting pics and attachments etc to an Android and you get crappy compressed vids etc. Easy for iPhone users as the app is installed and integrated in with the msg app by default, don't have to worry about telling so and so to download X app.

It's be great if all phones had an app, or at least apps that would work with iMessage for the media side. Unless they have changed something or fixed since I last used Hangouts as it was still not playing well with iOS for vids sending/receiving and not everyone on Android uses it either. If they made it the only msg app stock and improved upon it that'd be one thing, and pry great.

Maybe I'll have to give it another try as its been awhile.

 

[illusionx]

Hangouts handles both sms and hangouts messages on and android device. So between android users, the same could apply to what you are saying. I've had good success with pictures on hangouts app for iOS, but I've never tried a video. AFAIK, iMessages sends videos in 480p.

If all your friends use iMessages, then you are out of luck. My friends use many different messaging services, so I adapt to them.

 

[SurferMan]

Hangouts handles both sms and hangouts messages on and android device. So between android users, the same could apply to what you are saying. I've had good success with pictures on hangouts app for iOS, but I've never tried a video. AFAIK, iMessages sends videos in 480p.

If all your friends use iMessages, then you are out of luck. My friends use many different messaging services, so I adapt to them.

I know how it works, but unless they've really fixed it since last year it was so laggy and clunky. I'd say majority are actually Android, problem is only a handful are techy, I'd bet if you asked the rest of them what Hangouts is they'd have no clue lol vs you or myself. Thats where the problem lies. Where as with iOS, its just, there. My wife didn't even understand what iMessage was and that it was just the msg app. When she switched to the S5 and couldn't figure out what was wrong, she had no clue that she was supposed to turn off iMessage.

 

[MACelmore]

Soooooooo.......... in conclusion, it sounds like there isn't a reliable, seamless way to send GIFs, video, and MMS in general, if both parties don't have one of the awesome apps out there.

 

[Truefan31]

That's why if it's something u do all the time using iMessage is already there for u.

 

[illusionx]

Switching to Android - can you answer these questions for me?

That's why if it's something u do all the time using iMessage is already there for u.

Hangouts is already in every lollipop and handles SMS by default. You aren't switching between 2 apps

 

[MACelmore]

Hangouts is already in every lollipop and handles SMS by default. You aren't switching between 2 apps

I can tell that you're a huge proponent of Hangouts, and I can respect that, but from doing a little research, Hangouts doesn't handle MMS well. Maybe my age (28)... I don't know.... But I send alot of GIFs to friends. Someone text me something funny? I have a GIF for it... I couldn't tell you why. But if I lost that seamless functionality to use GIFs, texting wouldn't be the same.

I also record videos of cool things and send them to people. The more I talk about how I use my iPhone, the more I'm thinking I should just wait for a jailbreak to be released for 8.1.3. Crap, now I'm just more confused than when I started lol

 

[Truefan31]

I can tell that you're a huge proponent of Hangouts, and I can respect that, but from doing a little research, Hangouts doesn't handle MMS well. Maybe my age (28)... I don't know.... But I send alot of GIFs to friends. Someone text me something funny? I have a GIF for it... I couldn't tell you why. But if I lost that seamless functionality to use GIFs, texting wouldn't be the same.



I also record videos of cool things and send them to people. The more I talk about how I use my iPhone, the more I'm thinking I should just wait for a jailbreak to be released for 8.1.3. Crap, now I'm just more confused than when I started lol

That's my point. If it's something u do a lot and find important either wait for the next wave of iOS updates or like u said a jb.

 

[gotluck]

Yea if everyone you message has imessage that is best.

Otherwise you have to get all your contacts on board with a particular app that uses data, not mms. Because MMS is bad for videos

 

[illusionx]

Why are we even talking about mms videos? iMessages (blue text) doesn't handle videos with mms. On and mms, you would see it as a green text on and iphone.

You were talking about the seamless transition between iMessages and regular texting, I'm just telling you that hangouts does the same.

It seems that you are just not ready to make the move to android.

For me, the only thing that is keeping me back is SMS (green) and voice calls from my Mac.

 

[bubbleboil]

Soooooooo.......... in conclusion, it sounds like there isn't a reliable, seamless way to send GIFs, video, and MMS in general, if both parties don't have one of the awesome apps out there.

Revert to email!!!!

Or upload to cloud storage and send the link to your friends. They Don need to have an account to download.