Why not the default messaging application?

[PetRiLJoe]

I guess I kind of jumped into new applications checking out all the new ones when I first got my Droid and kind of assumed themeing my Droid was better. Right now I do not have much preference for theming my Droid. I have tried Handcent and Chomp SMS both which had force closes at inconvenient times.

Although this is something I am sure I could look up for myself, I'd like to know why you use one of these alternative SMS-MMS applications.

I really like the little green dot that the default messaging app provides to let me know my contacts only Google Talk status, and none of the other messaging alternatives provides that. Am I really getting that much extra out of Chomp SMS?

I guess I can only start using the original until I start finding features I miss

[meaker]

I'm using the default. I was using Handcent but had a few issues so I went back to stock. While it's not as nice with no bubble conversation and can't change individuals text sound, it works flawless..

[carbine]

I'm using the default. I was using Handcent but had a few issues so I went back to stock. While it's not as nice with no bubble conversation and can't change individuals text sound, it works flawless..

Rooted users can even use a modified "stock" messaging app to change notification LED colors, as well as several other settings.

Edit: Link to thread: [UPDATE] New settings for stock messaging app

[Diordna]

Using Hancent and is awesome, no problems at all. Stock messaging is to boring for me, so dull it's annoying.

But I actually did use the stock for a little bit 2 weeks ago or so because of the Luna theme made it look a lot better.

Plus Hancent got an update not to long ago that made it a lot more customizable.

[tcrews]

I was using Handcent for quite a while. I went back to using the "stock" app after I switched to CyanogenMod since it has the modified stock app included. It does it's job....

[icculusX]

I too was a Handcent fan, but it was a bit slow and annoying at times, so I am back to the stock app on NewEra 1.4.5 - Hacked stock with the extra features obviously!

[gnmitchell]

I have been using Handcent for awhile now without any problems. Really like the new update they put out recently that makes it much more customizable.

[takeshi]

Although this is something I am sure I could look up for myself, I'd like to know why you use one of these alternative SMS-MMS applications.

Because I have to in order to send/receive SMS via Google Voice (without forwarding).

[hookbill]

Why do I use Handcent instead of stock? Because all the cool kids do and I wanna be like them.

[PetRiLJoe]

Although this is something I am sure I could look up for myself, I'd like to know why you use one of these alternative SMS-MMS applications.

Because I have to in order to send/receive SMS via Google Voice (without forwarding).

I was not aware of this. I guess I will have to wait and wait it out for Google because I refuse to pay some guy I don't even know for an invite when that guy got the invite for free, and I won't sign up WITH any invites to sell back to other people. Anyway I'll stop whining about GVoice

Thanks for all the responses. It seems the majority of people the alternatives for the customize options. As carbine pointed out, one can put in a little bit of extra effort and customize the default app too.

I have little need for all the extras some of the alternative messaging apps provide, at least not for now. I need internal storage space.

I think I'll try using default for a while and see what I feel like I need added, then look for that.