iPhone App Review: iRealSMS Review

While writing a post about jailbreaking (still in progress), I came across a jailbreak app called iRealSMS. In my opinion, this is one of the few apps that makes jailbreaking not only a good idea, but also a complete necessity. I have used this app (along with its less powerful sibling, iRealQuickSMS) and I can say that once you’ve used it (and been spoiled by it), going back to the regular process of texting is a displeasure.

What it does

The concept of iRealSMS is very simple: it allows you to send and receive SMS messages without quitting a currently-running app. iRealSMS runs in the background. Whenever an SMS arrives, the app displays a pop-up screen with a text entry box and a few options. The important thing to note here is that it does not close the open app the way the default Messages app does.

From the incoming SMS pop-up, you can send a reply, call the sender, or ignore the entire thing altogether (see screenshot above). When the screen is tapped to place the cursor in the text-entry box, a keyboard pops up for a quick reply (see screenshot below). After the reply is sent, iRealSMS goes away, allowing the app that was running before receiving the SMS resume.

There is also an option to send an SMS without leaving the current app. I use the volume up button to open the quick send box (press once, more than once increases volume). Now a standard feature when it comes to messaging apps, iRealSMS operates in landscape and portrait modes.

Real-world usage

For me, this app performed exactly as described. However, it does have some hiccups: moving between landscape and portrait sometimes caused problems. The app thought it is in the opposite mode and the keyboard pop-up is displayed that way. Another minor issue occurs when typing a reply and a new text comes in: the app throws up a new pop up window, interrupting the process. I would prefer to have the app wait for the message to be sent until displaying any further notifications. I had only one crash with the app, which is definitely not bad for a jailbroken program.

Recommendation

This is the one app I jailbroke my phone for and – as such – I give it my whole-hearted seal of approval. I don’t use the “pro” features of the app, so the iRealSMS is a bit much for me. Nevertheless, I love the ability to quick reply without leaving my current app. iRealQuickSMS offers these features, but no more. The deciding factor for me was the ability to search through text messages, which is only offered by iRealSMS. Whether you choose iRealSMS or iRealQuickSMS, both will change the way you text on the iPhone.

iRealSMS and iRealQuickSMS are both offered through Cydia and Rock Your Phone. I recommend Rock Your Phone, due to the trial and billing interface it provides. iRealSMS is 13.99 and iRealQuickSMS is 6.99. Both are well worth every cent.

Perhaps this app poses a real question for the iPhone/iPod Touch audience: does Apple need to rethink the way notifications are displayed on the iPhone/iPod Touch? The current implementation can be improved upon, since user experience has the potential to be frequently interrupted. For example: if the user wants to answer an SMS/IM, or change a calendar notification, he needs to leave the current app environment and go to that app. This breaks the user experience. There is no “flow”- something the Palm Pre does very well. What do you think?

Posted in Apple, Apps, Review, iPhone App Review