In article <
id4gcf-...@hergen.dyndns.org>, Hergen Lehmann
<
hlehmann.e...@snafu.de> wrote:
>
> >> I don't deny IM app are more popular than SMS.
> >
> > exactly the point.
>
> However, even if unpopular, every cell phone does support SMS
> out-of-the-box.
only if the user has an active texting plan. not everyone does. many
people disable sms due to spam.
some smartphone users don't activate cellular service at all and use
the device as a pocket computer.
so no, not every cellphone supports sms.
> There are many more people who are capable of sending
> and receiving SMS in case of need, then there are users of any other
> messaging platform.
capable of != actually use.
the vast majority of messaging is done via messaging apps, not sms.
> >> However, SMS is far, far
> >> from obsolete
> >
> > it's obsolete. messaging surpasses it in every way.
>
> Except for three major disadvantages:
none of them are major.
> 1. Sender and receiver must use the same app. Most people will need
> multiple messenger apps to reach all of their friends and relatives, and
> even that will not be enough to reach every person which may pop up when
> doing business.
that's minor and there's no need to reach every person anyway.
what matters is communicating with friends and family, who will all be
using the same app, perhaps two apps. it's not a big deal at all.
> 2. To be able to receive urgent messages, you need a permanently
> available, mobile internet connection. This can get VERY expensive when
> traveling, especially if you use an ad-supported platform, which
> constantly transfers a lot of unnecessary data.
nonsense.
first of all, sms also needs an available connection.
second, turn off data roaming and there won't be any surprise costs
when traveling.
third, the connection does not need to be permanently available. if
someone is out of a service area, messages are deferred. no big deal.
fourth, messaging works over wifi, whereas sms does not, which means
there is no cost to use messaging versus sms, one of its many
advantages.
using wifi instead of cellular also means that messaging will work when
out of a cellular service area, including subways and airplanes and
even inside some buildings where the cellular signal too weak to be
used.
it also means that no cellular service is required at all, which
includes unactivated smartphones as well as desktop and laptop
computers.
> 3. The most popular messaging app happens to be a security and privacy
> risk due to extensive tracking and a controversial owner.
the most popular messaging app varies by region and device.
whatsapp is common outside the usa, while facebook messenger is common
in the usa, and for mac & ios devices, apple messages is very popular
in addition to the former two.
all of those support end to end encryption, making it far less of a
security and privacy risk than sms, which are unencrypted and can be
intercepted.
but if you don't like using a facebook property, use something else. no
big deal.
choose whatever messaging app best fits your needs.