Archive for category Text Message

Google Plays Party Pooper to Infinite SMS App

Mar 11

Posted by Alan in News, SMS, Text Message, iPhone Applications | No Comments

Free SMS no more.

Free SMS no more.

Infinite SMS was a popular app (#1 in the App Store for 11 days), especially among iPod Touch users, that allowed the free sending and receiving of SMS messages. The only problem is, they piggybacked on a free service provided by Google. Well, now Google is turning the lights on and kicking everyone out, and the developers, Inner Fence, are not happy about it:

Google has claimed no grievance with Infinite SMS other than its success. Their given reason for the block isn’t abuse or wrongdoing; it’s that we brought too many users (and thus too much cost) to an experimental service.

Infinite SMS was a pretty sweet app, and it’s too bad that Google is playing the buzzkill. However, they were footing a pretty large bill while someone else was making all the money. Maybe the lesson is that anyone who builds a business model that’s based on the charity of others should come to grips with the fact that it could all be swept away in a second.

Link:

Google to Shut Down Infinite SMS

Typing Genius App Adds Emoji Functionality to Your iPhone

Feb 9

Posted by Alan in Text Message, emoji, emoticons | 1 Comment

Emoji on the iPhone

The iPhone 2.2.1 software update broke the previous method of using an app called frostyplace to add emoji to your iPhone. Ars Technica has a close look at a new method, an app called Typing Genius ($0.99, iTunes link). Ars interviewed the developer, Gary Fung, about the how and why of the app.

Typing Genius App

Typing Genius is an app for iPhone users to practice their typing skills and measure and track their improvement over time. The ability to activate emoji was simply an add-on feature. Fung originally submitted a free application to that App Store that would activate emoji, but Apple rejected it. So Fung simply added the functionality to Typing Genius.

Links

Ars Technica: “Typing Genius defies Apple, introduces Emoji support”

iTunes: Typing Genius – Get Emoji

Cost of the iPhone 3G Data Plan and Other Pricing Facts

Jun 15

Posted by Alan in AT&T Wireless, Apple iPhone, Data Plans, HSUPA, Text Message, iPhone 3G, iPhone 3G Data Plan, iPhone AGPS, iPhone GPS | 4 Comments

Apple iPhone 3G

  • The iPhone 3G data plan costs $30 a month for unlimited data. That $30 does not include text messages or a voice plan. The voice plans start at $39.99 for 450 minutes of talk time.
  • Requires a two-year contract.
  • Text messages usually cost 20 cents a piece, or $5.00 for 200, but there is no official word yet on what they will cost for iPhone 3G.
  • Subsidized pricing is $199 for 8 gb iPhone. $299 for a 16 gb iPhone.
  • With all costs added together, the minimum monthly cost of iPhone 3G is $69.99 (without text messages).

  • The total 2-year cost of an iPhone 3G starts at $1,855, compared with $1,815 of the original iPhone.
  • The iPhone 3G will require activation at the store you buy it from, either AT&T’s store or an Apple store. The process usually takes around 15 minutes to complete.
  • AT&T will not allow tethering of the iPhone’s 3G connection, meaning, you can’t use the iPhone 3G as a broadband modem for your laptop. Some other AT&T smartphones offer this utility.
  • Business data plans start at $45 a month. The higher charge is because AT&T offers an “enterprise connection” to Exchange servers.
  • For international travelers, a separate international data plan will be required.
  • There is no GoPhone, prepaid plan, or pay-as-you-go plan for the iPhone 3G.
  • 3G iPhone with no contract: $599 for 8GB and $699 for 16GB.
  • You can return the iPhone up to 30 days after date of purchase.
  • First-gen iPhone customers who already have two-year contracts have to qualify for an AT&T Upgrade and have good standing with AT&T (ie, have you paid your bills lately?).
  • Limit of 3 iPhones per purchase.
  • Anyone who bought a first-gen iPhone on of after May 28, 2008, can return it and receive a refund of the difference in price between a comparable iPhone 3G, minus a 10% restocking fee.
  • Access to GPS is free.

How to Send an MMS (Text Message Picture) With Your iPhone

May 10

Posted by Alan in MMS, Text Message, iPhone Email, iPhone Tips, iPhone Tricks | 69 Comments

1. Open the SMS app:

iPhone SMS App iCon

2. Create a new text message (if needed):

Create New MMS Button on iPhone

3. Tap the Camera icon on the left side:

Sending an MMS Message

Note: if you don’t see the camera icon, you need to update the iPhone’s software. Instructions here.

4. You’ll see three buttons appear. You can tap the Take Photo or Video button to capture an image or video within the SMS app. Or, you can tap Choose Existing to select a picture or video you’ve taken on the iPhone previously. If you want to cancel, tap Cancel (duh):

Choosing Photos and Videos in MMS

5. Tap Send to send away!

Tap Send to Send iPhone MMS

Alternative Method

Believe it or not, every cell phone number has an email address. To get that address, check the list of email addresses below for various wireless companies. Or, have a friend send you an MMS to your email address. Access the email message on your iPhone and check out the “From:” field. That is your friend’s cell phone’s email address. Emailing a picture to that address will show up as an MMS on their phone. You can add that address to your contacts. Voila, you can now send MMS messages to your friend’s phone.


Just make sure your friend’s phone can receive MMS messages (ie, you can’t email the MMS to an iPhone).

*Update* There have been a mix of successes and failures using this method. Please ad your details to the comments below so we know which addresses work and don’t work.

These addresses are for US-based carriers. The Xs are the 10 digit phone number:

Alltel = xxxxxxxxxx@message.alltel.com
Amp’d Mobile = xxxxxxxxxx@vtext.com
AT&T = xxxxxxxxxx@mms.att.net
Boost Mobile = xxxxxxxxxx@myboostmobile.com
Cingular (AT&T) = xxxxxxxxxx@mms.mycingular.com
Einstein PCS = xxxxxxxxxx@einsteinmms.com
Nextel = xxxxxxxxxx@messaging.nextel.com
Sprint = xxxxxxxxxx@messaging.sprintpcs.com or xxxxxxxxxx@pm.sprint.com
T-Mobile = xxxxxxxxxx@tmomail.net
US Cellular = xxxxxxxxxx@mms.uscc.net
Verizon Wireless = xxxxxxxxxx@vzwpix.com
Virgin Mobile = xxxxxxxxxx@vmobl.com

*Update* Here are some more addresses.

3 River Wireless = xxxxxxxxxx@sms.3rivers.net
Advantage Communications = xxxxxxxxxx@advantagepaging.com
Airtouch Pagers = xxxxxxxxxx@myairmail.com
Airtouch Pagers = xxxxxxxxxxr@alphapage.airtouch.com
Airtouch Pagers = xxxxxxxxxxr@airtouch.net
Airtouch Pagers = xxxxxxxxxxr@airtouchpaging.com
AlphNow pin@alphanow.net
Alltel = xxxxxxxxxx@alltelmessage.com
Alltel PCS = xxxxxxxxxx@message.alltel.com
Ameritech Paging = xxxxxxxxxx@paging.acswireless.com
Ameritech Paging = xxxxxxxxxx@pageapi.com
Ameritech Clearpath = xxxxxxxxxx@clearpath.acswireless.com
Amp’d Mobile = xxxxxxxxxx@vtext.com Arch Pagers (PageNet) = xxxxxxxxxx@archwireless.net
Arch Pagers (PageNet) = xxxxxxxxxx@epage.arch.com
Arch Pagers (PageNet) = xxxxxxxxxx@archwireless.net
AT&T PCS = xxxxxxxxxx@mobile.att.net
AT&T Pocketnet PCS = xxxxxxxxxx@dpcs.mobile.att.net
Beepwear = xxxxxxxxxx@beepwear.net
Bell Atlantic = xxxxxxxxxx@message.bam.com
Bell South (Blackberry) = number@bellsouthtips.com
Bell South = xxxxxxxxxx@sms.bellsouth.com
Bell South = xxxxxxxxxx@wireless.bellsouth.com
Bell South = xxxxxxxxxx@blsdcs.net
Carolina Mobile Communications = xxxxxxxxxx@cmcpaging.com
Cellular One East Coast = xxxxxxxxxx@phone.cellone.net
Cellular One South West = xxxxxxxxxx@swmsg.com
Cellular One PCS = xxxxxxxxxx@paging.cellone-sf.com
Cellular One = xxxxxxxxxx@mobile.celloneusa.com
Cellular One = xxxxxxxxxx@cellularone.txtmsg.com
Cellular One = xxxxxxxxxx@cellularone.textmsg.com
Cellular One = xxxxxxxxxx@cell1.textmsg.com
Cellular One = xxxxxxxxxx@message.cellone-sf.com
Cellular One = xxxxxxxxxx@sbcemail.com
Cellular South = xxxxxxxxxx@csouth1.com
Central Vermont Communications = xxxxxxxxxx@cvcpaging.com
Cingular Wirelss = xxxxxxxxxx@mycingular.textmsg.com
Cingular Wirelss = xxxxxxxxxx@mobile.mycingular.com
Cingular Wirelss = xxxxxxxxxx@mobile.mycingular.net
Clearnet = xxxxxxxxxx@msg.clearnet.com
Comcast = xxxxxxxxxx@comcastpcs.textmsg.com
Communication Specialists = xxxxxxxxxx@pageme.comspeco.net
Communication Specialist Companies pin@pager.comspeco.com
Cook Paging = xxxxxxxxxx@cookmail.com
Digi-Page / Page Kansas = xxxxxxxxxx@page.hit.net
GrayLink / Porta-Phone = xxxxxxxxxx@epage.porta-phone.com
GTE = xxxxxxxxxx@airmessage.net
GTE = xxxxxxxxxx@gte.pagegate.net
GTE = xxxxxxxxxx@messagealert.com
Houston Cellular = xxxxxxxxxx@text.houstoncellular.net
Infopage Systems pinnumber@page.infopagesystems.com
The Indiana Paging Co last4digits@pager.tdspager.com
JSM Tele-Page pinnumber@jsmtel.com
Lauttamus Communication = xxxxxxxxxx@e-page.net
MCI Phone = xxxxxxxxxx@mci.com
MCI = xxxxxxxxxx@pagemci.com
Metrocall = xxxxxxxxxx@page.metrocall.com
Metrocall 2-way = xxxxxxxxxx@my2way.com
Mobilecomm = xxxxxxxxxx@mobilecomm.net
Morris Wireless = xxxxxxxxxx@beepone.net
Motient = xxxxxxxxxx@isp.com
Nextel = xxxxxxxxxx@messaging.nextel.com
Nextel = xxxxxxxxxx@page.nextel.com
Nextel = xxxxxxxxxx@nextel.com.br
Ntelos = xxxxxxxxxx@pcs.ntelos.com
Omnipoint = xxxxxxxxxx@omnipoint.com
Omnipoint = xxxxxxxxxx@omnipointpcs.com
OnlineBeep = xxxxxxxxxx@onlinebeep.net
Pacific Bell = xxxxxxxxxx@pacbellpcs.net
PageMart = xxxxxxxxxx@pagemart.net
PageMart Advanced /2way = xxxxxxxxxx@airmessage.net
PageMart Canada = xxxxxxxxxx@pmcl.net
PageNet Canada = xxxxxxxxxx@pagegate.pagenet.ca
PageOne NorthWest = xxxxxxxxxx@page1nw.com
Primco = xxxxxxxxxx@primeco@textmsg.com
ProPage = xxxxxxxxxx@page.propage.net
Qwest = xxxxxxxxxx@qwestmp.com
RAM Page = xxxxxxxxxx@ram-page.com
Rogers Canada = xxxxxxxxxx@pcs.rogers.com
Satellink = xxxxxxxxxx.pageme@satellink.net
SBC Ameritech Paging = xxxxxxxxxx@paging.acswireless.com
Skytel Pagers = 7digitpinnumber@skytel.com
Skytel Pagers = xxxxxxxxxx@email.skytel.com
Southern LINC = xxxxxxxxxx@page.southernlinc.com
Southwestern Bell = xxxxxxxxxx@email.swbw.com
Sprint = xxxxxxxxxx@sprintpaging.com or phonenumber@pm.sprint.com
Sprint PCS = xxxxxxxxxx@messaging.sprintpcs.com or phonenumber@pm.sprint.com
ST Paging pin@page.stpaging.com
SunCom = xxxxxxxxxx@tms.suncom.com
SunCom = xxxxxxxxxx@suncom1.com
T-Mobile = xxxxxxxxxx@tmomail.net
T-Mobile = xxxxxxxxxx@voicestream.net
Teletouch = xxxxxxxxxx@pageme.teletouch.com
TSR Wireless = xxxxxxxxxx@alphame.com
TSR Wireless = xxxxxxxxxx@beep.com
US Cellular = xxxxxxxxxx@email.uscc.net
US West = xxxxxxxxxx@uswestdatamail.com
Verizon Pagers = xxxxxxxxxx@myairmail.com
Verizon PCS = xxxxxxxxxx@vtext.com
Verizon PCS = xxxxxxxxxx@myvzw.com
VoiceStream / T-Mobile = xxxxxxxxxx@voicestream.net
WebLink Wiereless = xxxxxxxxxx@airmessage.net
WebLink Wiereless = xxxxxxxxxx@pagemart.net
Wyndtell = xxxxxxxxxx@wyndtell.com

And some non-US carriers:

Aruba setar = xxxxxxxxxx@mas.aw
Bell Canada: xxxxxxxxxx@1x.bell.ca
Cellcom = xxxxxxxxxx@cellcom.quiktxt.com
Digicel Aruba = xxxxxxxxxx@digitextaw.com
Digicel Curacao= xxxxxxxxxx@digitextcu.com
Digicel Barbados= xxxxxxxxxx@digitextbb.com
Digicel Bonaire= xxxxxxxxxx@digitextbo.com
Digicel Cayman= xxxxxxxxxx@digitextky.com
Digicel Grenada= xxxxxxxxxx@digitextgd.com
Digicel St. Lucia= xxxxxxxxxx@digitextlc.com
Digicel St. Vincent= xxxxxxxxxx@digitextvc.com
Fido = xxxxxxxxxx@fido.ca
Rogers Wireless (Canada) = xxxxxxxxxx@pcs.rogers.com
Suncom = xxxxxxxxxx@tms.suncom.com

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