Send SMS in Unicode on 4.2.1?

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Level 1

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Send SMS in Unicode on 4.2.1?

Hello. Since the latest update, my iPhone converts all lowercase Greek characters to uppercase and removes all accents and diacritics before sending the message. I was told this happens to minimize sms costs by avoiding unicode encoding. However, I am sometimes in need to send in lowercase. Is there any way to reenable unicode sms or am I stuck?

iPhone 3G, iOS 4

Posted on Nov 30, 2010 3:50 AM

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Answer 1

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Tom Gewecke

Level 10

115,964 points

Nov 30, 2010 6:06 AM in response to ibrangerz

There is virtually nothing you can do to change the way iOS does anything, so you are probably stuck. Tell Apple here:

http://www.apple.com/feedback/iphone.html

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Answer 2

ibrangerz Author

Level 1

15 points

Nov 30, 2010 6:12 AM in response to ibrangerz

Ah, that's sad. I'll let them know! Thanks.

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Answer 3

Feb 3, 2011 2:10 AM in response to ibrangerz

Finally they seem to address the cost issue.

I had post this some while ago:

http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=12423062#12423062

I was discussing that the SMS where getting expensive because iPhone, just like a regular and perfectly normal mobile phone, uses a universally standardized communications protocol: the "SMS" (Short Message Service) and the number of bytes for each SMS is only 140 bytes. This limitation of 140 bytes has never been changed for MANY MANY years and that's why it is so small...

So, if you have a maximum of 140 bytes, you have a maximum of 1120 bits:

1 byte = 8 bits.
140 bytes = 140*8 bits = 1120 bits

This way we know that the MAXIMUM number of bits per SMS is 1120!

So, if you ONLY use characters from the Standard GSM Characters set (or also refereed "GSM 7 bit default alphabet"), it will only need 7 bit to encode each character!

Take a look at this table which is the Standard GSM Characters / GSM 7 bit default alphabet: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GSM_03.38

This way, the phone can support a total of :

1120 bits / 7 bits = 160 characters for each SMS:!

Now, if you use ANY character rather than the characters shown in the referred table (the Standard GSM Characters set), because of THAT character, the mobile phone will have to use 16 bit encoding, using 16 bit to encode each of the characters! (instead of only 7 bit!)

So, if it consuming 16 bits for each character:

1120 bits / 16 bits = 70 characters for each SMS:!

So, if I send a SMS with 160 characters with JUST 1 (ONE) special character, it will split the text into 3 (three) SMS: 70 7020 = 160 characters, making it more expensive and with higher probability of failing delivery (since it is a 3-linked-SMS).

So, to avoid this, maybe they implemented a feature than automatically converts the special characters in to their standard equivalents, leaving it with a 160 characters maximum, the same way.

But that should be an OPTION! It should not be mandatory. It should be a basic option that other brands have for a LONG time because it is very useful. And iPhone should also have this feature that is so, so simple!

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