If there’s one thing we’ve learned over the last few months, it’s that Android users love Google Voice. Through your emails, tweets, comments on blog posts, and Android Market reviews, you’ve made it known. We hear you loud and clear. Google Voice.

Well, we’ve been working hard, and today, we’re putting out a new version of our amazing Android app. You can use it with any number you have—including, yes, Google Voice. Plus, there are so many more great new features and fixes!

Now, when you start a new group, we put you through the same easy three-stepprocess as on the iPhone, including an option for short-term groups. 

First, answer what the group is for…

…then when you want it to end…

…then who will be in it.

You’ve got yourself a group!

And last but not least, we’ve added the ability to resize photos before you share them with your groups. Plus, there are tons of great bug fixes and UI improvements. You’re going to love it.

It’s available now, so check your updates, search for “GroupMe” in the Android Market, or scan this QR code to get started.

We know what you’re thinking. Another amazing update to your app? How could it be? Well, that’s just how it is around here, people. We work hard.

Announcing GroupMe for iPhone: Version 1.3.

This one goes out to the people with older phones. Our app now works on all devices running iOS 3.1.2 or later. That means you, iPod touches! You still need a phone with text messaging to use GroupMe, but managing and creating your groups is much easier with the app. Take a look:

The main group view shows you all the groups you’re in and has an easy button in the corner to help you create a new one (like in the last version).

Within a group (even on an iPod, see?) you can see all the members, pick a photo to share, and send your group a text or start a conference call. Yes, even on an iPod touch. For now, you’ll still need a separate phone to see the replies, but you can send messages from your iPod.

If you tap “Conference” from an iPod touch, we call your phone first. After you pick up, we ring the rest of your group. It’s that easy!

Plus, contacts now load faster, you can mute your groups from the app, and we fixed a lot of bugs. It just keeps getting better!

Download GroupMe for iPhone 1.3 on the App Store now.

We’re proud to announce that GroupMe is part of this year’s Wizard World Atlanta Comic Con, going down this weekend (Dec 4-5) at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta.

With appearances by Vivica A. Fox, Henry Winkler, Adam West and Burt Ward, Pam Grier, and many more, this weekend promises to be an unforgettable experience for fans of all things pop culture. 

Of course, GroupMe will be there to make your weekend easier than ever. Here’s how it works: Create a group on our special Comic Con landing page here. Add all the friends you’re going with to that group. We give your group a free phone number; when you text it, everyone receives it, and when you call it, you’re connected on a conference call. How’s that for an easy way to plan your arrival and schedule?

The organizers have set up a few text reminders, insider promotions, and special announcements that’ll be sent to your group as well, so you don’t miss any of the best events and appearances that this Comic Con has to offer. 

Get to it! Find tickets for it here and then start your Comic Con GroupMe!

We’re proud to announce today the release of the newest version of our Android app, to top off today’s run of announcements.

GroupMe for Android 1.1 introduces a number of features requested by our users, a couple of bug fixes, and, of course, photo sharing. Here’s the new group view:

And here are the options you’re given when you tap “Share Photo”:

By popular demand, the app now informs you that group members will receive a text message when added to your group. It also now gives the option to sync your GroupMe numbers to your contacts, complete with a GroupMe logo contact icon.

As always, we’re really excited to push this out, and we think you’re going to love it. GroupMe for Android 1.1 is available now in the Android Market. Just search for “GroupMe” or scan the QR code below with your Android device.

Just over two weeks ago, we released version 1.1 of our iPhone app. Well, we’ve been working hard, and today we’re thrilled to give you another update: version 1.2.

It supports both of our brand-new features: photo messaging and short-term groups. Plus, there are tons of UI improvements and bug fixes that make this the best GroupMe experience yet. Let’s check out the screenshots.

Of course, we’ve added that exciting new “Share Photo” button, and a new tag telling you which group member created each group.

When you create a new group, there’s a nice new flow to guide you through creating it. Start with what (the group topic)…

then when (whether the group is ongoing or short-term)

then who (add members!)

We think you’ll love it. Let us know what you think by writing a review on the App Store! You can download and review the app here.

Short-term groups aren’t all we’re announcing today—we’re also launching our most-requested feature. Since we launched just a few short months ago, you guys have been clamoring for an easy way to share photos with your groups.

Well, you asked for it, and we built it. Starting today, you can share a photo with your group from the web interface or from one of our native apps. Here’s what it looks like:

And here’s how it all works. You hit “Share Photo”, choose one, and upload it. In the apps, you can even take a picture without leaving the app.

We send your group a text message with a link to your photo, like this:

Steve sent a picture to the group. View it here: http://p.groupme.com/bPruJP . You can share pictures by downloading our iPhone or Android apps!

It’s that simple.

So what are you waiting for? Start sharing photos!

One of the things we’ve realized while building and using GroupMe is that not all groups last forever. While most of the groups people create have long and fulfilling lives, there are definitely some times when you just don’t want to make that big of a commitment.

So today we’re releasing a new feature: short-term groups. When you start a group online or in our iPhone app, you now have the option to set your group to automatically end after a set period of time.

We’ve worked hard to make it simple and elegant, so when you create a short-term group, you have two options. You can end the group after tonight, or after this weekend. Easy as that.

Don’t worry, though; you’re not locked into it. We send a text to the group creator the next day, asking if they want to keep the group going. They can easily turn a short-term group into a normal group instantly.

Next time you’re going out for a crazy evening with a group of friends, create a group for tonight, and you can have a fun backchannel just for the night. Or if you’re going to a conference for the weekend with a few strangers, start a group so you can stay in touch over the weekend, but head right back to work on Monday with no new commitments.

Great, right? Let us know what you think on Twitter, or send us an email. 

This coming Sunday, tens of thousands of people will run their way through all five boroughs of our own New York City as part of the 41^st annual New York City Marathon, and we’ll be there to help cheer on those amazing runners!

If you or someone you know is running, why not set up a GroupMe to keep track of your team of supporters? Just create one now and add everyone who’s going to be following your runner on race day.

Imagine how much easier it will be to coordinate meeting up after the finish line in crowded Midtown if everyone’s on an instant conference call. Or how nice it would be to tell everyone the latest split times with just one message, instead of dozens. It doesn’t matter what phone you have, either—anyone who can text can participate in GroupMe.

So what are you waiting for? If you’re in New York, get out and cheer on some runners. If you’re not, you can watch it online. No matter who you are, it’s the perfect opportunity to try out GroupMe.

When it’s over, let us know how you used GroupMe during your marathon weekend — we’d love to hear from you.

Photo via martineric on Flickr