How to send SMS message/text to cell

[TallTravel]

I want to send a group of text messages to friends and families' cell phones. I have their approval, as they each have text messaging included in their phone packages.

I want to send a range of text messages from my computer while online, but I don't want to pay for it. Any free online services, or functions within web based e mail systems, which will allow me to send free text or SMS messages? I do not understand the differences between SMS and text messages. Are they the same, or slightly different?

[hobey19]

just use any email program and for the address, use their 10-digit number@teleflip.com

123-456-7890@teleflip.com

there are limits, though, for the personal service (500 messages/month, i think). you can read more about it on their website
http://www.teleflip.com/

craig

[TallTravel]

Originally Posted by hobey19 just use any email program and for the address, use their 10-digit number@teleflip.com 123-456-7890@teleflip.com there are limits, though, for the personal service (500 messages/month, i think). you can read more about it on their website http://www.teleflip.com/ craig

Thanks, Craig, but this is not a free service is it? Their web site looks like it wants money...

[hobey19]

• With TeleFlip Personal, you can send up to 500 TeleFlips a month free! If you need to send more than 500 messages per month, check out TeleFlip Business. We have plans for small, medium, and large businesses. • U.S. and Canadian-based cell phone customers can receive TeleFlip messages anywhere in the world where they can make or receive phone calls. Recipients pay only for standard text messaging charges to their carrier for receiving TeleFlip messages.

craig

[TallTravel]

Thanks, just sent a couple test messages without even visiting their web site and no error messages came back, so I am guessing it worked. Will wait for responses.

[glc]

AOL Instant Messenger can send IM's to cell phones as SMS/text messages. Add them to your buddy list in the following format - +1 then the 10 digit number:

+1xxxxxxxxxx

Most cellular providers give you an email address which is part of the text message package. I can send email to Cingular phones at xxxxxxxxxx@mobile.mycingular.com.

[Statica]

Originally Posted by glc AOL Instant Messenger can send IM's to cell phones as SMS/text messages. Add them to your buddy list in the following format - +1 then the 10 digit number: +1xxxxxxxxxx Most cellular providers give you an email address which is part of the text message package. I can send email to Cingular phones at xxxxxxxxxx@mobile.mycingular.com.

Highly recommended that you use a solution like that rather than a 3rd party website. That way you could ensure that you arent providing your friends' & family cell fone numbers to people who might then use it for spam. Most every provider out there automatically provides an email address for their customers, just a matter of you finding out what the email address format and limitations are.

[hobey19]

i didn't think about that, thats a great point statica. i didn't read their privacy policy, but they probably do store that information

i didn't know about the solution glc provided, i will start using that myself

craig

[Statica]

Yeah, most of these sites do want something for that elusive nothing. Check out their privacy policy and their ToS .. they make no claims about not storing any information that you've sent (and yes that could include the cell fone number) nor do they make claims that they will not provide the information to other entities...

Personally, I get ticked off when someone sends me an SMS through the 3rd party sites and services .. to me that's just being irresponsible with my mobile number. When they could either spend a dime or less to SMS me or just ask me if I had a cell phone email address.