After the naysayers, Juice Wireless Incorporated has developed a native iPhone application with one sole purpose, sending multimedia messages to other phone numbers.
Hit the jump for a full review …
Released onto the App Store last Friday, Flutter [App Store] is a half-baked attempt at an MMS client, for iPhone.
New to MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service)?
According to Wikipedia
“Multimedia Messaging Service, MMS for short, is a cellular telephone standard for sending messages that include multimedia objects (images, audio, video, rich text). MMS is an extension of the SMS standard, allowing longer message lengths and using WAP to display the content. Its most popular use is sending photographs from camera-equipped handsets, although it is also popular as a method of delivering ringtones as well. The standard is developed by the Open Mobile Alliance (OMA), although during development it was part of the 3GPP and WAP groups.”
Before we Start …
Juice Wireless Inc have stated that due to an App Store error on Apple’s part, Flutter is currently available in the ‘Wordwide’ store, meaning it is available to everyone. They state this was not the intention, and the application has not been internationally formatted yet. However, Juice Wireless also states that the application can be used internationally, for now, using the following methods:
“If you are outside the US, you must register with international dial code before your number, and the contacts in your phone book must also have international dial codes before their numbers. Sorry about this, but the app isn’t supposed to be available outside the US yet! When we do internationalize it, you won’t have to change everything into international format!
Check out Flutterpic.com soon which has a FAQ. Not live yet. Will be by Monday. In meantime, you can check out a short FAQ at: Flutterpic.blogspot.com“
The international dial code for the United Kingdom is +44.
In this case, your number(s) would look like +44XXXXXXXXXX (were ‘X’ is a digit).
Initial Setup
In order to use Flutter, you need to be prepared to give some information to Juice Wireless. This includes surrendering your full first and last name, date of birth, phone number and valid e-mail address. Once this information has been registered you must wait for a text message in which a password will be enclosed for you to activate the Flutter service on your iPhone.
I have received a password here in the UK, and can now show you Flutter!
Using Flutter
Opening Flutter results in a screen displaying options for you to add recipients, add a subject, and finally add your ‘multimedia’, which for now is limited to only photos and text. Touching the ‘Compass’ icon found on the tool bar above the keyboard allows you to use iPhone 3G’s built in location services API to grab your location and attach it to your Flutter message. This service then allows your recipient to view your exact location using Maps, on an iPhone, when they eventually receive the message. Now this is pretty kool, but it could also be seen as an invasion of privacy to some people. Touching the camera button will bring up the built in camera API to offer you a choice of choosing and existing photo from your photo library, or taking a new photo with the iPhone’s camera.
To add a recipient to your message, simply touch the blue plus in the ‘To’ field. In something I’ve never seen before, Flutter will not bring up the built in ‘Contacts’ API, but instead list your contacts in it’s own user interface. As I said before, in order for Flutter to send the message to your UK recipient with a UK number you need to modify your contact(s) to reflect the UK’s dial code, in place of the first ‘0’ in the number. In this case, your number(s) would look like +44XXXXXXXXXX (were ‘X’ is a digit).
Good Idea, Bad Implementation
MMS has been absent for so long on the iPhone, when Flutter hit the store on Friday it’s fair to say everyone went crazy. Especially seeing as the application is currently FREE! However, there are shortcomings. Flutter cannot receive MMS messages from other recipients who may have iPhone’s like you – Sucks, right? It gets better. Flutter also doesn’t actually send a photo to your recipient. Instead, just like o2.co.uk/m, and AT&T’s viewmymessage.com, Flutter only sends your recipient a link to a compressed, low res version of the original image.
How does it Work?
Flutter, according to Juice Wireless, uses a SDK-compliant ‘work-around’ to send messages over Wifi or the cellular network. The images are compressed and assigned a unique address on Juice Wireless’ servers where your recipient can then access your sent photo by touching or clicking the link in the original ‘MMS’ message.
Price
There’s one thing we can’t fault Flutter for, and that’s it’s price – As of writing this, it doesn’t have one! Yes, it’s FREE. Juice Wireless also states messages are not charged to be sent, nor do they charge your recipient to receive them.
Overall
This application has potential. Juice Wireless seem to be an organisation which listen wholeheartedly to their users, and have stated they will add features if demand deserves it.
“You can’t receive MMS in this version. It’s theoretically possible using a work around (just as we use a work around to send messages). If there’s enough demand, we’ll do it. Check out the FAQ at the blog.”
While this isn’t the ‘God Send’ that is ‘real MMS for iPhone’, it is a damn sight better than o2.co.uk/m and trying to remember your phone number as well as a 6-9 digit code.
Juice Wireless Support
if your having problems getting Flutter to work, or having troubles with initial setup, Juice Wireless are providing public support at: flutter@juicecaster.com
Provisional Rating: 3.5/10 (A flawed application with future potential)
App Store: Flutter
Leave a Reply