This app was mentioned in 51 comments, with an average of 1.73 upvotes
What do you like hellosms for? Maybe a more modern alternative would be a better idea
EvolveSMS seems to have a similar sidebar. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.klinker.android.evolve_sms
But I still like Textra https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.textra
I think Evolve sms is closest to what you want. It has conversation list that you can pin so that it is always there (like in Hello sms).
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.klinker.android.evolve_sms
I use evolve sms for texting. There's an option for a private inbox that's pin or fingerprint secured. You can set it up so that's no notification icon or a fake notification. Without the pin or fingerprint no one can see who or what they texted
EvolveSMS can do this. I limit my conversations to 100 messages and keep them backed up with SMS Backup+.
What about biteSMS have you not been able to do on Android? Most of the features of biteSMS can be obtained with EvolveSMS and scheduled messaging with Message Scheduler.
EvolveSMS does this. Not sure if it's a paid feature, but it gives you the option to blacklist by contact or message, and you can choose whether or not to save the messages (not sure why, I've never used it).
I use EvolveSMS and they have a hidden message feature in the pro version. Isolates the text from specific people in another section with the option to have no notification flag.
edit clarification
<strong>Evolve SME</strong> is rarely mentioned in here, I really loved it when I used it. I use (and have no other choice) Hangouts now as I ported my main number to Google Voce.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.klinker.android.evolve_sms&hl=en
evolve sms has sort of a pull out menu for conversations if that's what you're looking for. I've never used it though so I can't comment on how it runs
Try an alternative texting app like EvolveSMS or Textra SMS. Both should work just fine and offer better features.
I used Textra and Hangouts currently. Have you tried EvolveSMS (I've heard good things - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.klinker.android.evolve_sms)
or even just Google Messenger? https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.messaging
Does the notification have a "mark as read" button? if so, you will have to click that instead of dismissing the notification
should you want to try out a third party SMS app, I recommend EvolveSMS
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.klinker.android.evolve_sms
shows the last messages from an ongoing conversation, uses high quality contact pics and lets you define your own canned responses
From everything you want, you are perfectly describing evolve SMS. It is extremely them able(you can even build your own) and it offers loads of options including popup reply, scheduling texts, etc. Definitely check it out. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.klinker.android.evolve_sms
Messenger is great. I've just grown too invested in a texting app I payed for 3 years ago or so I can't justify changing. Mine looks like messenger lol.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.klinker.android.evolve_sms
The only downside is the devs can be assholes if you happen to ask a question they've received a thousand times.
You may want to look a bit more into Xamarin. Yes it's a framework but it's been shown to have no noticeable performance differences from natively written code (noticeable from a benchmark standpoint).
In some cases Xamarin was even faster than natively written code: http://magenic.com/Blog/Post/4/Mobile-Development-Platform-Performance
Here's a fair review of working with Xamarin. Keep in mind that this was posted before Microsoft took over the project and it has reportedly improved significantly since then.
http://www.estaun.net/blog/some-thoughts-after-almost-a-year-of-real-xamarin-use/
Lastly, for the love of God, don't use an HTML5 wrapper like PhoneGap!
Edit: yes, I would love to see an app like this. My biggest feature request would be a slide out contacts list like in Evolve SMS
Link to Evolve SMS - seems pretty good from the app page!
Say hello to EvolveSMS ;)
EvolveSMS has that feature by default. I use it all the time! https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.klinker.android.evolve_sms
EvolveSMS does this.
EvolveSMS has both Material and scheduled SMS.
Evolve SMS is your answer
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.klinker.android.evolve_sms&hl=en
EvolveSMS has blacklist settings by contact. You can choose to save the convos or not.