Anything 100% free & good for SMS via apps for Desktop PC & Android too ??
vtsnaab:
I am happy enough to use my GV numbers just as voice numbers if there is another really good way to use SMS outside of them.
The example I provided of TextPlus -is- one such example that works as I wish - when it does work at all.
Checking via the Alternative.to site, there are several which cover some functions - like having an Android app but no PC app, like Talkatone (http://www.talkatone.com/).
Emska (http://code.google.com/p/esmska/) may be a good choice for the PC, but is no longer maintained.
Freesmee seems to have it all (in Italian ?!), but may need a proxy local to it for the download...
(http://www.freesmee.com/)
As can be seen - I have looked around and there ARE quite a few ways to get around this, but sadly most either require all users to have their specific app & account, or, have charges for certain things while others are free.
I'm hoping someone here may recommend an even better & totally free one than those I have already found.
Thanks.
lhm.:
See this link for free SMS over WiFi in Hangouts with Andriod, "CoolPad" + iOS & WP
http://www.reviewtechnica.com/2014/11/google-hangouts-free-wifi-calls.html
vtsnaab:
Thanks for the reply.
I read it, and that web page, and I repeat:
Quote from: vtsnaab on January 31, 2015, 08:35:50 am
NOooooo Thank You on the hangouts thingies for me !!
'Tis other stuff I seek - preferably NON-google stuff, like I tried to 'splain in what I added to the OP.
Desktop SMS seems to be something of a mystery other than what I described;
Android SMS -minus- a paid cellular carrier seems to have some apps like Whatsapp & TextPlus, but I'd love to hear about any other non-google ways to do this from anyone who is doing it, please ??
Thanks.
mo832:
vtsnaab,
You helped me last year and now I hope I can be of help to you. Please accept the following FWIW, in case it still doesn't get you to your ultimate goal (but I'm optimistic).
1. If you have 2 GV numbers and don't want to use hangouts, can't you just use the GV browser page using the red TEXT button? I send SMS all the time to multiple cell users and it has been great. Only minus is no short codes, but I don't use them much. And MMS is limited and weird.
2. This seems like what you want: www.pinger.com/tfw . I have used this myself. You can select a free telephone number, but it is only good for text, no voice. It will load a plugin for the session only and you have a text portal window to send to any SMS number. It will also alert your email address if you choose. They also have a phone app which you can integrate, but I only use the desktop web portal. The app lets you use your number for free ad-supported calling too, but I never tried it. If you stick to the desktop, it is just simple SMS send/receive with no frills which is what you want. Also, to keep your number, you will have to send at least one text every 25 days, or they will warn you and then delete your number no questions asked.
Let me know if either one of these meets your needs.
vtsnaab:
Hi Mo and thanks !!
I do use GV via browser as needed and it works...OK - but it also jacks up Firefox's RAM usage to sky-high levels if it is kept open.
I forgot to mention that I'd tried using Textfree previously - sorry about that oversight.
Their web-based option displays the following for me about 90% of the time:
Quote
We're so sorry.
The Textfree servers are unavailable right now.
We're working hard to make them available ASAP.
Try again in a few minutes.
Their desktop app would not open/run on my PC and when I opened a support ticket to ask them, they affirmed that my PC is below its minimum requirements...pooh.
Then after some time they gave my free number away and I gave up on using that service anymore.
SMS from the desktop really needs a good, simple, vanilla solution with minimal requirements, I think.
Thanks for pitching in and Best Wishes !!
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