The ability top copy messages means it is now easier to get important data out of the app (e.g. copying a phone number or emaill address), while the offline improvements mean it is now possible to view previously sent messages if no data connection is available (useful when roaming or when in a remote rural area). Overall app performance improvements mean GroupMe now starts faster and message delivery is more reliable.
One of GroupMe's biggest strengths is the strong cross-platform support it has - it's unlikely a decent sized group of people will all have standardised on one OS, so it's important for communication based apps to run on everything... which is true for GroupMe. Moreover, since GroupMe was acquired by Skype (which was then acquired by Microsoft), the app has continue to be developed, resulting in a user experience that is well thought out and easy to use.
Windows Phone Store description:
GroupMe is the best way to chat with everyone you know. It's absolutely free, whether you're talking to a group of friends, or texting with one person. Best of all, it works on nearly every phone, via push or SMS. With GroupMe, it's easy to reach anyone, anytime, anywhere. On GroupMe, you can catch up with your family, get a group together for a night out, coordinate with co-workers, or just gossip with a few of your closest friends. Think about it like your own private social network, just for the people you really know. Or like a faster, better reply-all email.
- Copy messages
- Improved message delivery
- View previously sent messages while offline
- See muted group members
- Faster app start up
- Pan and zoom images
- Improvements to image sending
- Bug fixes
GroupMe can be downloaded from the Windows Phone Store for free. We reviewed an earlier version of GroupMe here, and while the UI has been updated, the core functionality remains much the same.