BlueText by Psiloc (& Contest)
For years now I’ve wondered why my PC couldn’t replace my mobile phone while I’m sitting at my desk. Let me explain: When I’m at work, I’m sitting at my PC 90% of the time and it becomes my main method of communications. Whether I’m in Outlook, some form of instant messenger (I use four different IM apps unfortunately) or making calls using Skype. When my office phone rings, it annoys me. Convergence, people. I want one point of focus that handles all of my work and communications needs. I’m on my PC, I have a bluetooth headset in my ear connected to my PC, call me on Skype! Likewise, when people call or text me on my mobile it draws my attention away from my PC and forces my to use my handset if I want to interact. Sure I can forward my mobile to my Skype number and ignore my SMS if I so choose, but why should I have to? When I’m within range of my PC, I wish it would automatically connect to my handset and take over all communications. An email widget, an SMS / MMS widget and a voice comms widget – at least.
BlueText is a step in that direction. Like Nokia’s Text Messenger beta, it is a PC-based SMS interface that allows you to send and receive SMS via your mobile phone. Of course BlueText isn’t the first piece of software to afford users this functionality, but it is the first to do it with S60 3rd and Windows XP. As neat as Nokia’s Text Messenger is, it’s Vista only I’m afraid. If you’re like me then you avoid Vista like the plague so Text Messenger just isn’t an option.
The PC app is very Vista-like in terms of appearance. It has a nice semi-transparent UI that is nice and minimal. Sending an SMS is quite simple as shown above. Select your recipient, type your message, hit send and be on your way. Notifications will pop up directly on your screen when new SMS messages arrive and you can reply in just two clicks.
The device-side app is quite simple as well, as you can see above. After installation, license activation and set up, you’ll only access the app to enable and disable the service.
BlueText is the first app from Psiloc to make use of their new PC-based installation wizard which makes installation a breeze for inexperienced users. Psiloc’s new system is self-contained and once installed on the PC, it deposits the SIS and launches it at the appropriate time.
What will you need to use BlueText? An S60 3rd handset and a bluetooth enabled PC with Windows or Widcomm bluetooth drivers. Price of admission: Just north of $15 depending on the strength of the US dollar (price is 9.95€) and there is a trial period as with all Psiloc apps. SiMo readers are in luck however! Of course there’s no app like a free app and five lucky commenters will enjoy a free unlimited BlueText license code courtesy of Psiloc. Woo hoo! Just post a comment below and I’ll pick five at random on Friday March 14. Those selected will receive their license codes via email on Friday.
