Why are people still using SMS in 2015?

[bcredeur97]

SMS works well. iMessage should become open source though, so that it can be used across all platforms. But we all know Apple would never do that.

 

 

Something similar that is as well built in as iMessage is to iOS, we need for other(all) platforms because it is much faster.

[ACatWithThumbs]

Security is also a reason.
SMS is more secure than using Facebook or Skype.

[dmegatool]

SMS works well. iMessage should become open source though, so that it can be used across all platforms. But we all know Apple would never do that.

 

 

Something similar that is as well built in as iMessage is to iOS, we need for other(all) platforms because it is much faster.

iMessages is nice, but it's not all that great. If 2 iPhones users are texting each other, and the receiving one doesn't have an data connection, the message won't go through SMS. It will wait till you're on wifi or back on 3G to be delievred... 

 

That's the problem with people switching to Android and don't get their message anymore. They need to turn off iMessages so it goes through SMS. If it was a little bit better, it would check if the message has been delivred to the phone, if not, fall back on SMS. That way, people switching would still be receiving their text as SMS. 

 

But yeah, if it was open to other plaform, that would be a good solution. Still requires data though... 

[silberdrachi]

Security is also a reason.

SMS is more secure than using Facebook or Skype.

 

Depends how you define security.

 

Messages are basically sent in plain text to the carrier, so anyone there can read and look up your messages. And they do store them for quite a long time. And all of them are available to subpoena if the government wants it.

 

Not to mention cloning a sim card to steal peoples call information and texts is pretty simple.

 

More secure? maybe. But not enough that you should be sending anything you dont want other people to see.

[NickTheMajin]

I hate seeing the green messaging bubbles on my iPhone when I text non iPhones. iMessage is just way faster (especially when sending pictures, video and audio) and allows you to see when that person is typing and when they've read your message. 

 

I'm not sure why people are bringing up data use. Unless you are sending hordes of pictures and video the data use is negligible for text messages. 

[spartaman64]

I hate seeing the green messaging bubbles on my iPhone when I text non iPhones. iMessage is just way faster (especially when sending pictures, video and audio) and allows you to see when that person is typing and when they've read your message. 

 

I'm not sure why people are bringing up data use. Unless you are sending hordes of pictures and video the data use is negligible for text messages. 

one word. android 

[NickTheMajin]

one word. android 

 

Whats your point? Almost everyone in my contacts uses an iPhone. 

[Victorious Secret]

SMS is a nice backup, but thats all it is. I keep in touch with my lawyers who still use BBM on their Androids, everyone else I know is happily using WhatsApp because of how useful it is for group conversations. Telegram is a nice thought, but it came too late and WhatsApp already established itself as "the thing". 

 

[tedjani]

believe it or not i don't have a phone i just won't handle someone sending me picture of their cat wearing Santa hat

[TAK]

.

[ShadowCaptain]

because EVERYONE has it, not everyone uses whattsapp or facebook messanger or kik or snapchat (or whatever) - however everyone has text

[zacRupnow]

In response to the title: Because it works.

It is usefull on a productive level, not a shitty social trend like Instacrap or Snapscat.

[AHaskin14]

It's still a universal standard that you can use to message anyone at anytime. Having multiple programs for people at different levels would be a hassle.

[ComradeHX]

Remember the days when people bought phones to...make phone calls?

[ForsakenLive]

I use SMS because they are included in my contract and don't use part of my data cap. They are quick and work.

[SIGSEGV]

I still use SMS, because I have a crappy provider that gives me only 150mb of data allowance if I go over that they charge me like crap.

Someone should really get HTTP over SMS working... That would save me a lot of money because you could just send a whole HTML document over 1 SMS and it would cost the same as how much it would cost to send a small text.

[evinta]

Why? because in NZ my plan only gives me 750mb of data and unlimited texting.

 

If i need to text someone i use sms. If i need to send a photo i use wechat. It works for me.

[Aniallation]

Cause it's unlimited?

[Keudn]

Because 1. SMS doesn't use your data (yes its a very small percentage to send a text but it is still some) and 2. you run into problems like iPhones not sending texts to Android and vice versa which is NOT acceptable

[RexinOridle]

Because it simply works, cheaper, saves battery life, and has longer range.

[Nurmi]

Haven't still gotten my selfie phone, tbh just use my phone to listen music.