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I have to admit, I succumbed to the whole “threaded SMS” thing.  Since getting my unlimited data plan and text messaging, I decided to try and be hip and actually use text messaging.  Now I use it with friends and family, and the ability to keep track of SMS messages in a more uniform way was becoming an attractive option (especially after an extended SMS session with a friend from Las Vegas).  I know that threaded SMS functionality is included in Windows Mobile 6.1, but I had read it was fairly anemic.  I looked around and tried several threaded SMS programs.  The best one I found was SMS Client, from Empirical Solutions.  Check out why after the break.

Let’s get this out of the way now:  SMS Client is not the prettiest app.  It is not as colorful and finger friendly as SMS Chat, but that’s okay.  SMS Chat seemed designed with the iPhone user in mind, and I’m not entirely sold on the whole touch interface concept.   For me, I’d rather have my phone be one-handed capable. 

What SMS Client lacks in looks it makes up for in size and features.  It contains a straightforward window, with a drop-down for the contact you are conversing with, a button to load a new contact, the main conversation window, and the text box at the bottom for typing your messages.  You have the option to adjust the colors for the message headings, as well as how you want the conversation to look. 

SMS Client makes itself the default SMS client upon install.  When you receive a text message, a pop-up window will appear with the message, with an option to go that thread.  You’ll hear a sound when receiving the message, although the sound is not the system SMS notification but one hard-coded in the application.  I emailed the developer about this and she will be updating the program to allow customizable SMS sounds.

SMS Client allows you to forward, resend, and delete SMS messages by using tap-and-hold.  These options are not in the menu, so you need to read the built-in documentation (or through trial-and-error) to learn this.  You cannot copy and paste text that is in a thread, however. 

One immediate caveat I found with SMS Client (and with just about all the SMS threaded applications) is that a repeating alarm application, such as alarmPal, will not work with it.  SMS Client will ring once, and that’s it.  In mentioning this to the developer, she has agreed to put the functionality in SMS Client, and in fact emailed me a beta version to test out, all within a couple of days.  Her support and response has been stellar, and that can really make or break an application purchase.

There are some things that are missing in SMS Client.  The ability to quickly edit preset text (e.g. “In a meeting”) and send it in a text message is missing.  Copying text in a thread is also missing.  The repeating alarms and customizable sounds are just begging to be added.  SMS Client also is not “one-handed” friendly; there are actions that require using your finger or stylus.  Thankfully, these are all items that, when I contacted the developer, they agreed to include in the next release. 

SMS Client is fast, functional, and configurable, and at $7.50, it won’t break your wallet.  It makes itself your default SMS program, and the built-in Help is thorough.  Above all, the support is among the best that I’ve encountered, and the application looks only to get better in the near-future.  If you don’t want to wait for Windows Mobile 6.1 and need a threaded SMS application, SMS Client is the one to get.

Doug Smith (301 Posts) - Website | Twitter | Facebook