Google Free SMS Discontinued for Apps
Written on Monday, March 23, 2009
Every time I tell someone here about Google providing free SMS I get the same 'get-out-of-here' reaction. And yet, it's true. Or rather was. Or rather, still is, just not for everyone anymore.
On top of other SMS-related services Google provides, such as Google Calendar notifications, they also give U.S. users the option of sending SMS messages through the Google Chat window.
Google then also started offering the service to developers of third-party applications, but an iPhone app was pretty quick to follow, leading to the discontinuation of the service. Here's more from the relevant aricle:
Either way, it would be nice to see the free SMS through Google chat coming to Europe soon.
On top of other SMS-related services Google provides, such as Google Calendar notifications, they also give U.S. users the option of sending SMS messages through the Google Chat window.
Google then also started offering the service to developers of third-party applications, but an iPhone app was pretty quick to follow, leading to the discontinuation of the service. Here's more from the relevant aricle:
Google's hardly publicized method for sending free text messages has been revoked after traffic from a popular iPhone app became too much.A shame it had to be discontinued, but pretty understandable at the same time, wouldn't you think?
Google has started to block Infinite SMS and all other third-party software that's been piggybacking the text messaging feature available in Gmail. Enabled in December via the Labs, the possibility of sending free SMS messages right from the Gmail chat window was quickly targeted by the Inner Fence developers who last month released Infinite SMS, a paid ($0.99) app for the iPhone and iPod touch which used the function to let users send as many text messages they want for free (if you don't count the one-time fee of course).
Saying that "SMS chat is still just an experiment in the early testing stages in Gmail Labs", and that it can't support an application that significantly increases its usage, Google has decided to block Infinite SMS, with those who bought it now getting this little error - "SMS_ERROR_10: Sorry we don't support free SMS messaging through this client. Visit http://gmail.com/sms for more info." Looks like a refund is in order.
Either way, it would be nice to see the free SMS through Google chat coming to Europe soon.
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Too bad. The ability to send text messages via IM is a mighty handy feature in Google Talk and extending it to mobile devices is a natural extension. I was hoping that this would be integrated into the Blackberry Google Talk program, but based on this action it is unlikely.
Hi Thomas,
I wouldn't be too sure about that. Google blocking 3rd party software doesn't necessarily mean they'll stop doing it themselves.
So any Google Talk apps for mobile phones could still get the free sms, in that respect.
The problem would be that offering free sms on mobile phone applications would be going directly against the network ops, which I think is a much bigger decision, and I don't know whether Google wants to go there.
Hi,
It's good news that Google is also providing the facility of Free SMS.
I would suggest you to install Messmo on your cell and enjoy unlimited sms. Not only Free TXT’s when you send between messmo users, but also you can send attachments such as ringtones, pictures, video’s, music etc to reach other. A bit like having the best of email and a Free TXT service combined on your phone.