Texter Beta sends and recieves Dell Streak texts from your computer
I love texting on my Dell Streak, but the one thing I’ve always wished I could do is have a method of texting on my laptop. I find it to be quite the hassle to pull out my phone when I’m using my laptop, and switching from my computer’s large roomy keyboard to my Streak’s comparatively cramped keys (and just imagine how the owners of even smaller smartphones feel!) is somewhat of a pet peeve of mine. I’ve tried multiple solutions, such as an app that allows you to use your computer’s keyboard as your phone’s keyboard, but nothing really seemed to cut it.
However, the Texter (formerly known as Texty) Beta allows me to send and receive text messages from Google Chrome on my laptop while simultaneously browsing the web or writing an article. In fact, I’m doing it right now.
Texter uses a Google Chrome extension and an app on your Streak to make the magic happen. When you are invited to the closed beta (it only took me about a week to get in once I emailed Texter), they send you a link to the extension and a link to the app, along with instructions on how to get everything set up. From there, you just make sure your Dell Streak has a reliable internet connection, sync your contacts, and get texting!
Since Texter is still in beta, I've noticed a few bugs in my use of the software. For one, it only sends SMS texts messages, so no picture messages or texts over 160 characters. Another is that it issues a pop-up in the bottom right of your screen when you receive a text. When you click on the "Reply" button, sometimes the reply window comes up blank. Another issue is that the app was recently renamed from Texty to Texter, and it appears that the change is still happening (i.e., their website refers to the app as Texty, but the app itself calls itself Texter, etc.). Oh, and sometimes, texts don’t send either, and the app doesn't do a very good job of notifying you of this.
Overall, however, Texter is a slick piece of software that does what it tries to do very well. It’s very simple and straightforward to receive, and then send, text messages and works most of the time. I can see it being something I'll use on a daily basis.
Anyone who wants to check it out on their Streak should grab a beta invite at the link below.
[Texter]
