Most people these days have unlimited text messaging on their cell phone plans. However, I still know quite a few people who don’t, and going over your allotted monthly texts can be costly (around 40 cents a text sometimes).
The Free Text Messaging gadget from Txt2Day.com allows the user to send free text messages to anyone with a cell phone on over 50 networks, including AT&T, Nextel, T-mobile and Verizon. Simply enter the recipient’s 10 digit cell phone number, select the provider, enter some text and click the “Send It” button.
With the message, “test,” I sent a message to my own cell phone and received the text seconds later. I received the text along with some other information. The sender’s information is recorded as “unknown@noreply.com.” The sender’s IP address is also included in the text. This information is then followed by the message and with the word, “End” at the bottom of the text.
Here is the text:
unknown@noreply.com / Sent by IP 99.999.999.99 / test
End
The text does not give any information about who the sender is. So if you are sending a text message to a new recipient for the first time, it might be a good idea to inform the recipient who you are. Just include your name in the text. Other wise, he might be a little alarmed to receive such a random message and never be able to respond.
While the useful part of the gadget is rather small, the box that houses the gadget is actually very large to accommodate the ads. The iGoogle user can not minimize the gadget either. A constant pink “Wanna Flirt” button is always visible, too. Depending on your text messaging plan, this gadget can prove to be very useful. Just ignore the ads.
colliersummers Says:
Mike Strong Says:
Inspector Gadget Says:
Laurie Sym Says:
December 4th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
test message
December 4th, 2008 at 5:00 pm
Great gadget, and I don’t mind at all for you to make some revenue by advertising when giving us a free gadget; however, the amount of real estate you give for advertising is so large, it makes the gadget take a disproportionately large area of my iGoogle home page. It’s REALLY way too big, and could hinder adoption of your gadget.
I will try it for awhile, but I’m inclined to bail out because it is just too big for what it is.
My 2 cents.
Thanks,
Mike
December 5th, 2008 at 8:55 pm
Hey Mike,
We actually don’t make the gadgets, we just review them, but point taken. From a developer perspective it’s important to balance your need to generate revenue with the needs of your users (who on iGoogle care a LOT about screen real estate). Txt2Day obviously missed the boat on that one and will probably make less money as a result.
December 8th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
this is a great idea, but i’m already very crowded on my igoogle gadgets. since this function is one i would use a great deal for business with my coworkers cell phones, i’d like to leave this gadget expanded - however to avoid the wasted space i simply minimized it which kills visbility of the advertisements anyway. Less space for this overall would keep it expanded and visible. i’ll use it for the tremendous convenience, but won’t see the ads unless i’m literally typing a message. Bottom line, great concept and back to the drawing board for the design. :o)