Free SMS On IPhone 3G Via AOL IM Client

Glenn Fleishman writes "Jeff Carlson has discovered that you can bypass the 20 cent per message or $5 to $20 per month fees for SMS (text messaging) with the iPhone 3G and AT&T by using AOL's downloadable instant message client for iPhone 2.0, which is free. Just like the full-blown AOL IM system, you can add buddies that are the phone numbers of cell phones you want to send SMS to, and you establish a two-way conduit. The recipient still pays for SMS (if they have a fee) on their end, but if it's another iPhone user, you could coordinate with them via SMS to use instant messaging instead."

Comments

OMG

[Idiomatick]

On my telus i can use msn for free too *shock*. my phone must be as good as an iphone. and so are all phones with internet access and the ability to install programs. *gasp* Silly submitter ~_~
 
  But hey its advertising for apple so its ok.

Re:SMS is the reason there are no notifications

[BSarp]

Who modded the parent interesting?

Yes, push email on the iPhone is "truly push". Your phone is notified of new messages without having to poll.

As for push notifications in the SDK, those won't be available until September or so, but they will be available. Jobs even said this in the WWDC keynote.

Re:SMS is the reason there are no notifications

[Fofer]

If it were about protecting AT&T's SMS cash cow, then why would Apple be offering a free push notification service in September? That'll work well for notification capability of lots of apps, not just IM.

http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/09/iphone-push-notification-service-for-devs-announced/