Use AIM to send SMS text -- avoid fees

Macaholic · Jul 14th, 2008, 10:13 AM

Came across this neat tip:
TidBITS iPod & iPhone: Send SMS for Free via AIM on iPhone

It says it also works on the Touch! It is a bit labour-intensive, however.

As a Touch owner, I've not tried using AIM/iTouch/iPhone for texting, but the app works for normal IM activities just fine

btw I am LOVING the 2.0 OS and 3rd party apps. The implications of the iPhone platform are tremendous! I frankly see a very VERY daunting challenge for Apple's competitors... not so much from the hardware -- phone -- side of things but in regards to the fact Apple is perfectly poised to establish a dominating, vertically integrated AND WALLED mobile computing platform. I am sure many CEOs are weeping in their hands these days.

Maverick · Jul 14th, 2008, 10:22 AM

Its worth noting that using this method does indeed make sending the SMS free (for you) but with the following compromises:
- the recipient will usually receive a preceding "permission" message that says something like "<so-and-so> sent you a message, type 1 to receive". The recipient must follow the instructions to actually have the sms delivered.
- for most people, this results in the recipient being billed for the message. Either by being charged for the incoming message (Bell and Telus are about to start charging for incoming messages) or for the outgoing confirmation of the "permission" message.

Personally, I think its pretty hokey and a little rude to put the onus on the recipient of the message in this way... but that's just my personal opinion.

Macaholic · Jul 14th, 2008, 10:41 AM

	Quote:			Originally Posted by Maverick
	Personally, I think its pretty hokey and a little rude to put the onus on the recipient of the message in this way... but that's just my personal opinion.

A good point definitely taken.

machael · Jul 14th, 2008, 11:13 AM

bell and telus are charging for incoming messages if you do not have a text message plan. if you do you will not incur any charges.

Drizzx · Jul 14th, 2008, 11:18 AM

I was wondering about that. I was reading some of the fine print on Fido's collateral and within it said that incoming SMS messages from other phones are free, but messages coming from other sources such as websites are not.

I've been meaning to ask for clarification about that, such as whether you are billed outright, or if it deducts it from the pool included with whichever plan you have.