Verizon customers, have you tried the new VCAST Messenging app yet?

[Bateluer]

http://www.droid-life.com/2011/01/13/verizon-enters-the-text-app-arena-with-v-cast-messages/

Normally we ignore anything with the word “VCAST” attached to it, but this new messaging app from Verizon appears to be worth at least a tiny mention. While I’m an avid Google Voice user, I will say that after dancing around this little guy for a few minutes, you can see that someone actually spent some time developing it. It’s going to try and compete with Handcent and Chomp, which is quite the task, but I’m definitely digging some of the functionality and features that have been tossed in. I’m liking the “Recent Calls” option for sending quick texts off, the location-based messaging, and the group conversation mode

I don't see any reason to switch from Handcent myself, and it looks like this isn't a forced install?

I am curious, though, if Verizon will be removing the Google Apps from future Android phones in favor of their own VCAST app line up? Pretty sure everyone in this forum knows my stance on that by now.

 

[YoungGun21]

http://www.droid-life.com/2011/01/13/verizon-enters-the-text-app-arena-with-v-cast-messages/



I don't see any reason to switch from Handcent myself, and it looks like this isn't a forced install?

I am curious, though, if Verizon will be removing the Google Apps from future Android phones in favor of their own VCAST app line up? Pretty sure everyone in this forum knows my stance on that by now.

If they do, I'll be gone for sure. I've long considered them the best carrier to have overall. In terms of being "locked-down" they have certainly not been the best, but it has been decent. Putting Bing on phones, ok maybe they are pushing it, but they obviously inked a huge deal with Microsoft for that - good for them. Completely removing all Google Apps from Android phones == peace VZW.

 

[Bateluer]

Completely removing all Google Apps from Android phones == peace VZW.

Pure speculation on my part, take it with a grain of salt. Verizon is a major control freak though.

 

[thescreensavers]

I was about to try the VZW app just for a quick spin, but in the reviews the message order was wrong. Anyhow Someone said to try "Go SMS" it starts up much quicker then handsent, and is light weight. Going to try this app for now.

 

[CrystalBay]

This is why google needs to buy sprint and beef up there coverage big time D:.. I Jest...

 

[QueBert]

Google Apps on an Android? Lesse...

the text messaging one blows chunks, and is buggy as shit for most people.
Is the "voice command" shat part of Google Apps? Voice dial works for me about 20% of the time, so I don't even attempt to use it anyone.
Google Maps? Pretty good, but Bing maps does the same thing so I could care less.

My conclusion unless Verizon has their head way up their ass they should be able to top all of Google's offerings except for maps.

 

[zerocool84]

Google Apps on an Android? Lesse...

the text messaging one blows chunks, and is buggy as shit for most people.
Is the "voice command" shat part of Google Apps? Voice dial works for me about 20% of the time, so I don't even attempt to use it anyone.
Google Maps? Pretty good, but Bing maps does the same thing so I could care less.

My conclusion unless Verizon has their head way up their ass they should be able to top all of Google's offerings except for maps.

 

[dlock13]

I tried it for a few seconds. The fact that they chose IMO a terrible color combo and the fact that it has absolutely no customizability deterred me. It has a nice layout however, and a few more functions than most other SMS apps, but I'll stick with Go SMS till I find a better one.

 

[Bateluer]

Google Apps on an Android? Lesse...

the text messaging one blows chunks, and is buggy as shit for most people.
Is the "voice command" shat part of Google Apps? Voice dial works for me about 20% of the time, so I don't even attempt to use it anyone.
Google Maps? Pretty good, but Bing maps does the same thing so I could care less.

My conclusion unless Verizon has their head way up their ass they should be able to top all of Google's offerings except for maps.

Wow, guess there's a first for everything. You've managed to get everything wrong this time. *tap, tap* Or is my sarcasm meter broken?

 

[PhoKingGuy]

After using voice dial and voice dictate on my G2 for the past week I can fully tell you thats FOS. It works about 95% of the time and thats saying non english names as well.

 

[QueBert]

After using voice dial and voice dictate on my G2 for the past week I can fully tell you thats FOS. It works about 95% of the time and thats saying non english names as well.

You're a rare exception, just Google it, a lot lot of people have huge problems with it. It doesn't work for me at all really, and it's not because it doesn't understand me. When I say "call dad" it googles "call dad" instead of calling him. So it can't even be attributed to me not speaking clearly.

 

[gsaldivar]

the text messaging one blows chunks, and is buggy as shit for most people.
Is the "voice command" shat part of Google Apps? Voice dial works for me about 20% of the time, so I don't even attempt to use it anyone.
Google Maps? Pretty good, but Bing maps does the same thing so I could care less.

The fanboy is strong in this one...

 

[QueBert]

The fanboy is strong in this one...

A fanboy of what exactly? The Google apps SUCK, I own an Android phone but I can be honest about it's short comings. Sorry I can't be happy with applications that don't work as intended. My Droid was the 1st cell I've ever owned where I had to replace the built in texting app because it didn't work right for me.

My next phone will probably be a new WinMo, I'm not a fan boy of shit except nice phones.

 

[Bateluer]

My next phone will probably be a new WinMo, I'm not a fan boy of shit except nice phones.

Just buy the iPhone you really want.

 

[abaez]

I don't have any problems with the voice calling. But to say that all of the Google apps suck? I'll give you the texting one, but:

Gmail is pretty damn good if you have a gmail address.
Google Translate - Nothing can touch this.
MyTracks - Excellent GPS/route tracker.
Google Maps is not just pretty good, it's got many things that other mapping apps don't have. (The big neg is that is needs a data connection.)
Google Earth - Does anything do what this does?
Google Star Map - One of the first things I show people.
Google Reader - As good as any other RSS app.

 

[QueBert]

Just buy the iPhone you really want.

Too much monies, I'm on Pageplus and buy all my phones used, it would be 4 years before I'd find a good price on CL for a used Verizon iPhone 4. In 2 months I'll be able to get a Winmo7 phone for $150 on CL. $150 is my price limit.

 

[Bateluer]

Too much monies, I'm on Pageplus and buy all my phones used, it would be 4 years before I'd find a good price on CL for a used Verizon iPhone 4. In 2 months I'll be able to get a Winmo7 phone for $150 on CL. $150 is my price limit.

So . . .you only have to wait a month or two after a new phone launches to buy it directly from the carrier's site? Usually they slash the price. If you're willing to sign a second contract, there's always Wirefly and/or Amazon too.

You're complaining about the older cheaper phones you buy because they're not the shiny new phone(iPhone or otherwise) that you really want. Very weak.

 

[QueBert]

So . . .you only have to wait a month or two after a new phone launches to buy it directly from the carrier's site? Usually they slash the price. If you're willing to sign a second contract, there's always Wirefly and/or Amazon too.

You're complaining about the older cheaper phones you buy because they're not the shiny new phone(iPhone or otherwise) that you really want. Very weak.

Huh? When I bought my Droid 1 the 2 hadn't even came out yet. I got it maybe 6 months after they were released, so it was still the primo Android phone on Verizon.