International Texting
 

I came across this app which allows you to text internationally for free if the person at the other end is also using the app. I've been trying it out over the last few days with family in the UK and so far it's been working ok.

Just sharing it here in case anyone is interested.

http://www.whatsapp.com/

Re: International Texting
 

Nice find Sue!

Re: International Texting
 

i use this too - really good!

Re: International Texting
 

lol @ the name. :D

:frown: Wait, now I'm going to have those stupid Budweiser guys in my head all afternoon.

Re: International Texting
 

I passed this onto my son in the UK he hasn't been texting his US friends so much due to cost, so now he can get them all hooked up and back to texting as usual. Thanks.

Re: International Texting
 

There is an app called VIBER (www.viber.com). Apple app store has it for free.

If you have a smart phone and the person at the other end has the app installed, you can text AND talk for free. It's a device to device call.

I've been texting my brother and calling him for free (make sure you connect to WIFI first!). Add the contact to your contact list and viber does the rest!!

:thumbup:

Re: International Texting
 

That's one of the reasons I've been testing it out. Son is off to the UK in Sept and most of the time he texts his friends here, so I was looking for something that would help him still do that.

Re: International Texting
 

Yep, that's a good one too. They only have it for iphone currently though, and not many of my son's friends have an iphone.

Re: International Texting
 

Great find.

Reg. Frank R.

Re: International Texting
 

What's app has been quite popular over here in Hong Kong and we use it quite a bit as an SMS replacement. I think it was recently free in the app store or like only .99¢

Another one that is fun is called Talk Box, which is kind of like 'voice SMS'. Also free, you push a button and leave a short audio message which pops up on the other person's phone.

Re: International Texting
 

If you are willing to download an app to your smart phone, why not download an Instant Messaging client such as Yahoo IM, and simply IM rather than text?

I must confess that I've never understood the purpose of true SMS texting...

Re: International Texting
 

Maybe because most people don't carry their computer around with them all the time, but usually have their phone with them.

Re: International Texting
 

You can also send free picture messages with whatsapp!

Re: International Texting
 

Teens, particularly our son, use short bursts of texting these days (I suppose its an alternative to grunting :D ) and I was looking into cheap ways (as well as FB and Skype) of how he could keep in touch with his friends in the US when he attends UK uni later in the year.

Re: International Texting
 

data plans probably, IM is a constant ping and sucks up your data plan.

Plus texting is a lot more convenient for a quick word to say you're late or what not than having to phone someone and talk about it, plus who really wants to talk on their phone anyway :D

Re: International Texting
 

Ah - maybe I misunderstood the context of 'app' - " ... I came across this app which allows you to text internationally for free if the person at the other end is also using the app." ... when I read 'app' I think application on a PC, but of course, I guess this is an 'app' on the smartphone.

Re: International Texting
 

I think I just fell in love with you.

Thank you! :thumbup:

Re: International Texting
 

Susan, you changed our lives. My daughter is touring europe and this app has enabled us to easily communicate with her...

My Hero!

Re: International Texting
 

I am not sure if Google Voice will send texts to British mobiles, but you can set up a Google Voice account in the States and associate it with an American landline or mobile for someone in the UK. They can then use the GV app in the UK on smart phones or just sign into the account in a browser. I think the whole thing needs to be set up with an American IP, so it might take opening a fresh Google account to do it properly. You can set it up so that you get an email when you get a text. I don't think the voice feature works without an American IP address.

Re: International Texting
 

Blackberry Messenger (BBM) is free to use to anyone else who has BBM regardless of country, use it all the time to my uk friends

Re: International Texting
 

Yes I had heard that.

Unfortunately I don't have a Blackberry, and only have one family member that does, so hence my excitement when I came across the whatsapp. I've been using it a lot and think my son will find it very useful too, as none of his friends in the US have Blackberry's either.