All:
I'll admit it, I am cheap and do not want to pay for a texting plan since I do not send very many per month (less than 10). My wife and I both are teachers, and in lieu of making a phone call for something short and brief (or sending an e-mail) that would interrupt class, I would like to be able to send an SMS-like message to her iphone from mine - or vice versa. We have lots of friends with iphones also so I guess it would be nice to do the same with them.
Ideally it would work just like a real SMS on the iphone, which causes a push notification and a buzz or beep alerting me that it arrived. This last part is important since we might be teaching, but if its important enough we might want to read it (i.e., "you have to leave when class is over and pick up the kids"). Also would like to avoid having to read e-mail for such a message.
I have been investigating options, but keep finding hitches.
Skype app - no push. Darn, would otherwise be perfect I think. What's wrong with those guys?
Third party "Skype push" app - seems to need to actually run on my laptop to send the alert, by my laptop isnt always open.
Nimbuzz - great app, but it "logs out" after a while. Ok because the app keeps running, but a PUSHed alert after the signout just "appears" on the screen and is not accompanied by a vibrate or sound - no way to change that setting. Darn.
Yahoo messenger - seems to fit the bill, but seems to only work with yahoo. Not the end of the world but I have enough chat accounts as is.
.. Bottom line - which apps am I missing that might fit the bill? We dont need fancy features. Is there really no obvious solution?
Sincere thanks on any replies.
I'll admit it, I am cheap and do not want to pay for a texting plan since I do not send very many per month (less than 10). My wife and I both are teachers, and in lieu of making a phone call for something short and brief (or sending an e-mail) that would interrupt class, I would like to be able to send an SMS-like message to her iphone from mine - or vice versa. We have lots of friends with iphones also so I guess it would be nice to do the same with them.
Ideally it would work just like a real SMS on the iphone, which causes a push notification and a buzz or beep alerting me that it arrived. This last part is important since we might be teaching, but if its important enough we might want to read it (i.e., "you have to leave when class is over and pick up the kids"). Also would like to avoid having to read e-mail for such a message.
I have been investigating options, but keep finding hitches.
Skype app - no push. Darn, would otherwise be perfect I think. What's wrong with those guys?
Third party "Skype push" app - seems to need to actually run on my laptop to send the alert, by my laptop isnt always open.
Nimbuzz - great app, but it "logs out" after a while. Ok because the app keeps running, but a PUSHed alert after the signout just "appears" on the screen and is not accompanied by a vibrate or sound - no way to change that setting. Darn.
Yahoo messenger - seems to fit the bill, but seems to only work with yahoo. Not the end of the world but I have enough chat accounts as is.
.. Bottom line - which apps am I missing that might fit the bill? We dont need fancy features. Is there really no obvious solution?
Sincere thanks on any replies.
