GroupMe

GroupMe is a free group instant-messaging app that allows you to stay connected with multiple groups of friends in an organized manner. GroupMe sets up a dedicated phone number for each conversation, so when everyone gets a text message it comes from that same number and everyone will reply to that number too. This allows for a dedicated and good user experience for groups of people to stay connected.

To get started with GroupMe, only one person need to have the app in order to start a conversation with other people. Upon downloading the app, you can create an account by either signing in with Facebook or using an email and password. Then the app will ask for your phone number so you can get a verification message and connect you with people from your address book. The app has the advantage of sending texts to the group without using up your phone carrier’s data limit so everyone can be connected.

GroupMe ranks high in effectiveness and efficiency due to having all the functions of connecting people in an easy to use and simply interface with many of the icons being consistent with mental models from other messaging apps. The app opens up to a message log that has all of your group conversations listed. Swiping to the left opens up a settings screen that contains your profile with your phone number, email, and Facebook account. Also on the settings screen contains your contacts and settings tab that allows you to customize what notification you receive. You can choose what notification text tone you receive and you have the option to receive messages through the app or have them show up as a text message through your phone messaging system.

Swiping to the right gives you the option to start a group conversation or even send a direct message to someone. Within a conversation, the interface looks very similar to any other messaging app with the clear visibility of the functions. You have a large white area where messages you send or receive show up and that the bottom there is a text bar where once you click on it and keyboard appears. Other options on the keyboard include an emoji menu and a videos/photos menu. By clicking on the top right icon, you can access the specific group conversations menu. In that menu, it displays a list of everyone that is in the group conversation and gives you a log of pictures, memes, or GIFs that has been sent throughout the conversation.

You can also use the Calendar function to create meet up times or events within the group and the app will send a notification to everyone when the day comes. So instead for texting multiple people and trying to coordinate time to meet up, it can all be done through the group me apps calender feature.There is also a settings tab within the group conversation in which you can leave the group or silence the group so that you do not get notifications from that group for a certain amount of time. GroupMe has great utility because it has all of the functions of communicating and sharing all in a simple interface.

I recommend the GroupMe app because it gives a dedicated channel for the user to connect with a group of people. It is a great way for people with a smartphone to also connect with people with a regular phone and other than messaging, the service is great for getting people together to meet up. GroupMe has simplified and made communicating with different groups quick and easy.