Intro
This article explains sending text files to devices and how and when to use the alternative text option.
This applies to both Unicast Lite and Unicast Pro.
Sending text
You can send a text file (.txt) using Unicast this is not an SMS message. Most phones do not accept txt files, commonly phones will accept image files (.gif or .jpg) not text files therefore if you wish to send text to a device we recommend using an image file with text drawn on it instead.
The alternative text option in Unicast
Alternative Text feature removed - edit 25th March 2010
The alternative text feature is legacy from the original version of Unicast and has been removed from version 2.2.140.0 onwards.
When sending out a campaign using Unicast Lite or Unicast Pro you will see that there is an alternative text option (see below).
This allows you to send out a .txt file to the phone.
The alternative text option in Unicast Lite and Unicast Pro is not intended for sending out text on its own.
By default, the alternative will only be sent if the campaign file that is sent out with it in the campaign fails to send.
When you use this option, Unicast will send the campaign file (image/movie/mp3) to the phone first. If the transmission of this file fails then Unicast will attempt to send the alternative text you entered, as a .txt file, to the phone.
You can override this by forcing it to send the alternative text as well as the campaign media (image/movie/mp3) by using the ‘Always send text as well’ check box.
When you use this option, Unicast will send the campaign file to the phone first. When transmission is complete, Unicast will send out the alternative text you entered, as a .txt file, to the phone.
Alternative Text feature depreciated - edit 12th January 2010
The alternative text feature is legacy from the original version of Unicast and we are planning on removing it in future versions of the software because it leads to too much confusion for users. It was originally intended as a fallback for when target devices could not accept images; this was common in very early mobile phones, nowadays all new handsets support images but very few will accept text files and, those that do, often store them in places that users find difficult to access. Therefore we recommend using image files instead.
Text file (.txt) versus SMS
Each phone you send a message to will likely be a different make/model so therefore viewing the media you intend to send out will yield different results.
To ensure your marketing and the message you want to get across is sent out, we have included an alternative text field when creating or editing a campaign.
There is a distinct difference between .txt files and SMS text messaging. SMS text messaging is a different protocol to that of a file sent over Bluetooth.
The SMS protocol is built into the phone itself and managed by the messaging software installed on the phone and delivered via a GSM provider. When any file is sent to you over Bluetooth it is stored as a file on the phone memory and loaded by whichever phone application is associated with the file type.