biteSMS 2.2| Published by biteSMS | Via Cydia | Free | Released: 9-04-08
Overview
We were questioned this week about the ability to forward SMS (TXT) messages. Though a basic function of most phones, of course, the super-elite iPhone does not natively contain this functionality. I set out to see if a solution existed. After a very short search (literally 2 minutes) I stumbled across biteSMS.
biteSMS is an application available on both Cydia and Installer. It’s a full fledged SMS replacement application for the iPhone (and affords iPod Touch users the ability to send SMS messages over WiFi). You can use your existing phone carrier, or optionally purchase SMS ‘credits’ from biteSMS for 10 cents a message (this is a flat rate for international or domestic messages, and the only way to send SMS from the iPod Touch).
Functionality
The application touts the following features that aren’t available in the iPhone’s native SMS app:
- Delete Individual Messages (as opposed to entire conversations)
- Forward Individual Messages
- Message Counter (for tracking number of messages sent vs. plan allowances)
- Low Price International TXT’ng via biteSMS Credits
- Send SMS Messages via Carrier or biteSMS Service
Migrating to biteSMS as my primary SMS application was a breeze. The menus and settings are straightforward and easy to configure.
When opening biteSMS you are given a list of your current conversations, identicle to the native SMS application. You can delete entire conversations by swiping to the right and pressing the ‘Delete’ button, or tapping ‘Edit’ and selecting the minus (-) next to the conversation you wish to remove. You can also create a new TXT message by pressing the new message bottom at the top right.
When typing a new message you can change how the message is sent by hitting the arrow on the bottom right corner of the screen. If you choose to send messages via the biteSMS service, then the bottom bar will display how many credits you have available — if you choose to send the message via your own carrier the bottom bar will display how many messages you’ve sent since the counter was last reset. You can use this information to keep track of how many messages you have remaining before your per message charges start on your plan.
biteSMS makes it easy to delete or forward individual TXT messages by simply swiping your finger across the individual message you want to delete. A menu is presented asking you to delete or forward the message. When choosing delete the message will be removed from the current conversation. When choosing forward a ‘New Message’ screen will be displayed with the chosen message already typed into the text field. Simply enter the number, or contact you’d like to forward the message to, and hit send.
We sent a few test messages through both AT&T and through the biteSMS service. Both messages arrived on the other phone nearly instantly. I don’t have any overseas contacts to test international messaging, but I would expect similar results.
Summary
After using biteSMS for a few hours I immediately put it on my first SpringBoard screen and marked it as my primary SMS application. It takes all of the great functionality of the native iPhone app and adds many of the missing features that users of more simple phones have been enjoying for years.
biteSMS’s site says, “You love your iPhone as much as we do? You SMS all the time? Then biteSMS is for you”, and we have to agree with them.
Usability: 5 / 5
Value: 5 / 5
Utility: 5 / 5
Aesthetics: 5 / 5
Thank so much its working
Can it rotate long-ways? I hate having to type on a tiny keyboard. I find the regular SMS so cumbersome that it cannot switch positions.
@Greg: Unfortunately it does not give you the landscape keyboard when rotating. This would be a feature I would love to see in future updates though. I’ll email the bite team and let them know.
me too, landscape is very much needed. i dont have big fingers and its still a hastle
landscape mode would be the business!
I almost get up hope on the forward forward. Couldn’t figure out how it work at first until I read this website. It is super cool man. Thumb up! It would be excellent if biteSMS can forward multiple SMS at one go just like email.
currently the app can be used landscape mode, that means you can use the wide keyboard
is jail breaking easy or worth all the problems I read about
plzzz let meno cause I have a white 3g and ppl tell me that I can’t jail break and if I could we’re do I go,, how do I get started??? Plzzzzzz help thanx
savo, jailbreaking is so easy it’s ridiculous. I did it for the first time last night, on windows using QuickPwn. See here: http://www.iphonehacks.com/2009/01/jailbreak3g-win.html but the basic jist is:
1)have iphone firmware 2.2 and iTunes 8
2)backup your phone
3)download quickpwn and extract it
4)download the 2.2 firmware and leave it on your desktop
5)run quickpwn and follow the very simple instructions.
If you have a mac you’ll want this instead: http://www.iphonehacks.com/2009/01/jailbreak3g-mac.html …looks like the process is very similar.
In case you’re wondering, you can always restore the standard firmware; there is no “point of no return.” Also, there isn’t any way to screw this up and brick your phone; unlocking has been known to, but jailbreaking is safe.
Go for it!
So, if you get BiteSMS credits, how do people respond to you? Do you get some second, sms-only phone number or something? Also, does this enable MMS text messages? I still just can’t believe the iPhone doesn’t work with them.
how install bitesms to iphone
Interesting to try landscape texting, however it would be nice if you could collapse the input area to see the conversation a bit.
I had biteSMS 2.7 on my iPhone but upgraded to version 3.0. How can I re-install 2.7. I have the .deb files for 2.7, but dont know what to do next. Any ideas?
Ninny, i want to do the same
hv 3 installed, want to go back to 2.7
did u find a solution, if so, please share it
it would be of great help
thanx
extremely good application
hey guys im having problem with my bitesms, is just a trial why is that???? now i can’t send any message because it says i have no credit,,,, help guys plzzz tnx
Charlhen,
Bitesms is not free. You need a licenses to use after the trial. If you are using it on your iPod Touch you need to buy credits. On the iPhone you can use your carrier to send SMS or use bitesms service
is there a monthly fee for unlimited texting?
Just changed my mobile from nokia to iphone. What a shock to find out out that such simple basic de facto feature like sms forwarding is missing! Found this web page which give me some hope and solution. What a relief ! But…….
I m on v2.2.1 iphone. V3.0 is on the way. Should i be patient and wait for the sms forwarding feature in v3.0 or should I just go jail breaking now and get bitesms from cydia?
My huby thinks I should wait as mine is a ‘white’ iphone properly registered with the telco in my country. Just in case any of these actions render my iphone illicit and useless.
Any comments/advice from anyone?
Well there really is no problem with jailbreaking you can undo it at any time by restoring the factory settings and they dont know the difference if you have to send it in.
I have unlimited txtng as part of my plan from AT&T. Now my phone has been jailbroken so I have biteSMS. Once my trial is over what happens? Will I need to buy a license or can I just continue using it the way it is since I have unlimited txtng from my carrier?
Faketext is a hot new app that allow you to hide your real text messages on your iPhone. Check it out at faketext.com, you can go there straight from your iPhone since it is a webapp and is free.