GupShup Chat Messenger Review

[Raj]

GupShup Chat Messenger is a tiny little helpful application that allows you to remain connected with your loved ones all the time. Compared to WhatsApp and WeChat, this app can send sms to other users directly as well. The user on the other end does not really need internet data pack nor its compulsion to install this messenger. That means through GupShup you can send free sms on any mobile number using your data plan. While on the other end the user receives it via plain sms. The app extends it area of operation by giving you simple unlimited sms usage. It allows you to send sms to those who are not using Gupshup or not having any internet access. A plain sms will be delivered in their inbox. Gupshup features a simple to use interface with clean layout and no ads at all. The app works smoothly on low end phones also. Other than regular chatting, it features a group type area where people with common interest can share their view together. Gupshup is a bit more than regular chatting applications. Two popular apps which are used widely today are WhatsApp and WeChat. Compared to them Gupshup is limited to chatting only. Here through WhatsApp you can share photos and videos in a group. While through WeChat along with photos/videos you can share your voice with others. Gupshup has none of these features. It is a plain chat messenger which some funky smileys. The only additional benefit here is that you can create your own Smiley and use it.

Gupshup targets groups more instead of a single user chat. It already has huge amount of different groups that you can subscribe to and collect updates on it. Just like how you follow any one on Twitter. The explore section gives you listing of all active groups. Anyone can start their own group and add friends. You just need to tap on join to get updates on your home screen via that group. That looks easy, but somehow if you subscribe to many things, the screen is cluttered with lots of unwanted messages making it uneasy to use. And if you want to share videos or images, you will need to share it via links which will open in a web browser. While through WhatsApp you can view that inside the messenger itself. The video or image is downloaded in your phone and does not require browser access here.

Interface & features:

Gupshup is great for all type of android mobile phones. The benefit of using this messenger is that you can text instantly to one or more people at the same time. The interface is quiet simple here. The top side offers you all important categories like Public, Private, Activity, Explore and More. Gupshup is a better generation of traditional chat application. It might lack some of the most important features that we are still getting in other apps, but still it is useful. Like other chat messenger does not allow you to send sms directly on the mobile number in your contacts. This not only saves your mobile recharge balance, but also helps you to send an instant message on your friend’s mobile number. The app interface is quiet straight forward. There are no unwanted menus or popup to confuse anything. The top side is dedicated to the prime categories. Among which Public section shows you all common chats. It includes updates from subscribed groups. The chat is visible to all who had joined you. Adding your own group to this section is simple. The interface features a profile icon with name and the text message below the same. You can also share a specific message by typing on it for some time or reply to the user specifically or report abuse if you do not like the message.

[Raj]

The next section is Private. The private section allows you to chat with your specific friend only. Text message through this are not shared via public and are visible to limited user only. There are no separate privacy settings available here. Whatever messages sent, reaches the person separately. This is just like one on one chat. To start a chat here just type on the private conversation box and select a contact. That’s all. Type the message and send him. At a time you can chat under both private and public section. It is quiet easy here. When I started using Gupshup I was expecting more from it. I moved directly from WhatsApp. That is the reason the expectations here were high.

The third section Activity shows you recent contacts and activity. There is nothing special here. It is a basic log offering you details what you did recently. Almost all chat messengers come with a log section where you get history of all old messages. This section is dedicated for that purpose only. Just next to that is an Explore section. It shows you listing of all recent groups that you can subscribe to. Although it is a bit less effective but you can get some updates from here instantly. People can create their own group easily. The search bar on the top side allows you to find group of common interest via simple keyword search. Like if you are crazy about cricket, you can just type cricket, and all associated groups are listed. Join them and get the latest updates. Many groups are also spam here.

[Raj]

The last section is “More” that offers you to edit your profile, sync your contacts, modify notification settings, share Gupshup with others or just get some more information about the messenger. Very few settings are available here. You cannot do major changes in the messenger. The only major benefit here we are having in using this app, is that we can send a sms directly on any mobile number through mobile internet. Nothing will be deducted from the mobile balance. The app comes with straight forward features of providing simple and fast texting. That’s all. While somehow the group section here is not so much impressive. Somehow the app lacks really important features of direct photo and video sharing. While for text and links it goes well. The problem lies here with low config, Smartphone’s. The links trigger browser app and if your phone is already slow, the messenger can freeze everything.

Conclusion:
Gupshup offers you great output in terms of texting only. It works well with any android device. The app has a simple layout giving simple accessibility to each and every one. The app does not cost any charges like WhatsApp for verification or for future usage. It is free. It is just a mixture of chat messenger and sms tool via internet. The app is also available for iPhone and Blackberry. While for Nokia S40 edition it is still under development. Sometime you might face crashing issue with this app, when you try to open any link. That depends on the phone’s browser here. I tested this app on Galaxy Note 2 where it worked great. Things which are really important to be added further is integrated photos and video support. Atleast photo sharing is required.

Pros:

• Smooth performance
• Simple interface
• Send SMS through it.

Cons:

• No Photo Sharing
• No Video Sharing

[iqbal51]

I tested this app on Galaxy Note 2 where it worked great. Things which are really important to be added further is integrated photos and video support. Atleast photo sharing is required.