SMS Text Messaging from your Computer (MightyText)
by Paul Wilks
Jun 22, 2012 11:36 AM –
Install
SMS Text Messaging from Computer (MightyText) is a cool way to send and receive text messages through your computer, by letting the app sync between your SMS messages and a browser add-on. Remarkably fast and convenient, it’s a great way to message people through your computer. Read on for explanations as to how it works and, importantly, how it performs.
Price: Free
Tested on: HTC One X
Content Rating: Everyone
Pros & Cons:
Pros
- Easy to use!
- Simple to set up!
- Neat user interface!
- Very fast and responsive!
- Notifications, call logs, missed call notifications!
Cons
- Splits texts up.
- SMS only.
- Doesn’t import contacts.
Features:
MightyText is a very handy little app for sending and receiving text messages. Essentially, you install the app on your device, then a corresponding client on your browser (works with Chrome, Safari, Firefox and even Internet Explorer 9). Once installed, the moment you receive a text it will pop up as a notification on your computer. You can also open up a dashboard in your browser which will let you text back directly.
I’ve been using the app now for over a week and it works brilliantly. I often get a notification pop up before my phone notification tone goes off. It pops up in the bottom right hand side, where I also get my Gmail notifications, so it’s remarkably convenient and intuitive. The user interface looks good- I think there’s room for improvement and customisation- but it is responsive, smooth and works well. The thing is, as easy as it is these days to send texts on a touchscreen, it’s still quicker to type out a message on a full keyboard.
For day-to-day texting, MightyText is an awesome solution and is incredibly simple to use. I think as the service develops it should improve. I’d like to see some customisation involved- maybe to change some colours and the design of the web interface. Now, although for security reasons I’m actually glad about this, you have to be aware that the browser interface doesn’t drag over all your contacts, so you’ll either have to consult your Android device contacts to send messages to someone for the first time, receive a text from them first or already know the number. The app will sync their name and number, but you can’t crawl through your contacts list to find a contact you want to text. I actually prefer it this way, but some people might see this as an issue, so I thought I’d bring it up.
The only other thing I noticed is that the service splits texts up rather than sending it all in one. This isn’t a biggie either really, but people I texted noted that often, the second section of the text came through before the first, making it a little confusing at times. This, I think was my primary concern with the app, but it’s wasn’t too important for normal texting purposes.
If you like the concept there are other options that might be worth looking at too- check out our reviews of AirDroid and DeskSMS for a better insight. What MightyText is doing perhaps isn’t a new concept, but the app has certainly captured the imagination of Android users and it’s a really popular app in the Google Play Store.
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MightyText
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MightyText – Wider screenshot of web interface
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MightyText – Chrome Web Store view
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MightyText – Web texting interface
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MightyText – Setting up 1
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MightyText – Setting up 2
Usefulness:
If you spend a lot of time at your computer, this is a great solution for blending your messaging experiences. As it’s more convenient to send emails via your computer or laptop, texting this way feels natural too. As the texts pop up notification-style it is very easy to immediately see who is messaging you, and just as simple to quickly reply- your computer keyboard will always be faster than thumb texting on a touchscreen.
In addition to this, the app notes your missed calls and call logs. It syncs between your phone and browser perfectly so you can easily switch between texting on you phone and computer and not lose anything.
Ease of Use:
Despite the fact your contacts are missing from the web interface, it’s very intuitive and feels pretty natural. Texts simply pop-up so it’s convenient and easy to see who is texting you and lets you reply without disturbing your workflow too much.
Once you send a message it requests permission from your Android device to do so, and off it goes. It costs nothing to sync messages but obviously you’ll be relying on the SMS allowance you have with your carrier.
Frequently Used:
This is something that really comes down to how often you text. I think you might find yourself texting more than you might on just your phone as it’s more familiar and certainly easier to do. If you work on a computer for much of the day, this could well replace the way you text for the most part… unintentionally, this has certainly occurred with me!
Interface:
I think the interface could use a little more polish and the inclusion of customisable features would be ideal. However, it looks good, is simple to navigate and works beautifully.