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Text Messages on iPad?

carpets

carpets

macrumors member
Original poster
Jul 11, 2008
41
0
Warwickshire, UK.
Forgive me if this question has already been asked, but I could not find anything similar when searching.

Do members of the forum think that it would be possible to send and receive text messages on the 3G version of iPad?

This would be a very useful feature for my staff in my retail business.
 
Should be. There is a SMS app in the App Store. I assume it would work w/ the iPad. And there are also loads of web based SMS services.
 
...but will AT&T allow you to use your existing cell phone number (if you have one) for iPad texting and apply to that account? :confused: Probably not (logistics could be a problem) but it would be a good idea if it could be implemented.
 
Julien said:
...but will AT&T allow you to use your existing cell phone number (if you have one) for iPad texting and apply to that account? :confused: Probably not (logistics could be a problem) but it would be a good idea if it could be implemented.
Click to expand...

I don't know if they even give you a phone number with an iPad plan
 
mackmgg said:
I don't know if they even give you a phone number with an iPad plan
Click to expand...

No they don't but that's not what I said. In more detail what I meant was if the text messages could be directed to your iPad and charges could be charged/credited on your "other" cell phone account. As I said there are probably several technical/practical/logistical problems preventing this but it would be a great idea.
 
Maybe someone with more specific cell tech knowledge can chime in: what is the unique identifier on a SIM? i.e. the thing that gives it the ability to send and receive a text message? Is it the phone number? IMEI?

I guess what I'm wondering is, if you ported the iPhone's "Messages" app to the 3G iPad, and sent a text...

a) Would it work?
b) Where would it be 'From'?
 
Might there be a way to pop the sms app on there from the iPhone? If it is possible to mod a normal sim to be a micro sim, then I'll be a happy camper. I'll probably use the sms function quite heavily on the iPad if that's the case, as my current data sim includes sms as part of the tariff
 
Julien said:
No they don't but that's not what I said. In more detail what I meant was if the text messages could be directed to your iPad and charges could be charged/credited on your "other" cell phone account. As I said there are probably several technical/practical/logistical problems preventing this but it would be a great idea.
Click to expand...

actually at&t does give a phone number to a data cards.
 
NIPRING said:
Would the 3g ipad have a sim tray? maybe?
Click to expand...

It does - a microSIM tray. This is a known factoid.

j_maddison said:
Might there be a way to pop the sms app on there from the iPhone? If it is possible to mod a normal sim to be a micro sim, then I'll be a happy camper. I'll probably use the sms function quite heavily on the iPad if that's the case, as my current data sim includes sms as part of the tariff
Click to expand...

Yes - you can physically cut a SIM into a microSIM.

frunkis54 said:
actually at&t does give a phone number to a data cards.
Click to expand...

Interesting and good to know, thanks!
 
frunkis54 said:
actually at&t does give a phone number to a data cards.
Click to expand...

This still doesn't help because I want to text from my iPhone's number/existing threads and not have to send from an "unknown" number. Also AT&T hasn't announced any iPad phone number text data plan costs.
 
Julien said:
This still doesn't help because I want to text from my iPhone's number/existing threads and not have to send from an "unknown" number. Also AT&T hasn't announced any iPad phone number text data plan costs.
Click to expand...

it was only said to state a fact that i know. i would have to say no you will only be able to text from the iphone/ipad apps.
 
Well I can tell you that on an o2 data plan designed for a dongle they block incoming and outgoing calls but they do allow txts!
 
Cool and interesting. So then the question becomes:

-does Apple natively install, or allow us to d/l from the appstore, the Messages app?

-if not, have to do so via jailbreak I assume

And I wonder what happens if you placed a phone call to that number? O2 guys can you comment?
 
I actually wanted to reaplace my iPhone with an iPad.

The thing is, there is no way to receive text messages on the iPad on a number that will also receive calls and vice versa (unless Google Voice does that).

And all data cards are given a "phone number". My Sprint mobile broadband card has a number.
 
Thanks guys. Well, it'll be interesting to see what does/does not come between now and shipping...
 
anthonymoody said:
Thanks guys. Well, it'll be interesting to see what does/does not come between now and shipping...
Click to expand...

Don't we already know?

The answer about text messages is no - you will not be able to send/receive text messages on the iPad.

Can you receive text message on an iPod Touch over WiFi? No. The type of 3G service the iPad receives is like mobile WiFi.

It's really not that hard people.
 
anthonymoody said:
Cool and interesting. So then the question becomes:

-does Apple natively install, or allow us to d/l from the appstore, the Messages app?

-if not, have to do so via jailbreak I assume

And I wonder what happens if you placed a phone call to that number? O2 guys can you comment?
Click to expand...

you can call the number it is dead. You can txt it and the txt is received on your computer through the 3g management tool.


EssentialParado said:
That's interesting, but I'm sure you can use VOIP still though.
Click to expand...

yes you can use voip on o2 without an issue.

Eso said:
Don't we already know?

The answer about text messages is no - you will not be able to send/receive text messages on the iPad.

Can you receive text message on an iPod Touch over WiFi? No. The type of 3G service the iPad receives is like mobile WiFi.

It's really not that hard people.
Click to expand...

I think what were going to find is that it'll be network dependant. As with o2 the system is already in place on the existing data plan setup for dongles to allow txts but not calls. The question will be will AT&T allow it? Hopefully for you guys over the pond they do as it's a feature that would allow alot of people to dump there iPhone package.
 
I forgot to add if you take the simcard out of the dongle and place it in a mobile the same applies. Calls are blocked txts and data is allowed.
 
Some interesting debate. But it still looks like we don't know :confused:

It appears that if Apple put the software on the iPad it will work with 02 in the UK at least.

I guess we will have to wait and see about the US etc.
 
Eso said:
Don't we already know?

The answer about text messages is no - you will not be able to send/receive text messages on the iPad.

Can you receive text message on an iPod Touch over WiFi? No. The type of 3G service the iPad receives is like mobile WiFi.

It's really not that hard people.
Click to expand...


???

Yours is not an unreasonable conclusion to draw based on what we do know, particularly as it relates to the experience of 3G dongle/card users on O2 and the like. However, it is far from certain that this is where we'll end up. Apple could easily - should they and ATT decide together - make available the very same Messages app that's on the iPhone (at least for 3G models).

I've done some poking around and there is no *technical* reason why a SIM (or microSIM) cannot send and receive texts simply because it's in a card, or a dongle, or an iPad, and not in a phone. It's a business decision. Nothing more.

I have no idea how this turns out, and fwiw I'm perfectly fine confining my texts to my iPhone. But to say that we know (and be insulting in the process by condescendingly telling us that it's 'really not that hard people') is plain wrong.
 
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