Paragon Software Group has released Handy SMS, an advanced text manager that makes the access and exchange of messages on a Windows Mobile phone easier and more convenient. The app offers full integration with Outlook. Incoming messages can be viewed and accessed directly from the Today screen, and the user can read, write, forward messages, add emoticons or attach business cards.
Real-time communication with multiple contacts can be achieved in two taps  to send out a message to several recipients at once or set up a live  SMS chat. Handy SMS also enables convenient sorting of all incoming, sent or draft messages by contact name, automatically assigning them to the appropriate folder. Personalized sounds for each contact keeps messaging easy and allows users to react only when they hear the distinct tone they've set for particular contacts.
For privacy protection, Handy SMS allows users to add messages to Gray and Black lists. Messages in the Gray list are password-protected, while the Black list includes all unwanted and annoying messages that should be blocked immediately. Users can also set auto-reply functions to notify senders of incoming messages that the user is temporarily unavailable with a prewritten text message.
The app is available in English, French, German, Italian, Russian and Spanish, and works on Windows Mobile 6.5/6.1/6.0 Standard, Classic and Professional; and Windows Mobile 5.0 Pocket PC & Smartphone devices. It costs $14.95 (9.90) and can be downloaded here.