Send SMS from iPhone 3G
Courtesy of Tidbits, this procedure lets you use AIM or iChat on your iPhone to send SMS for free. Here’s how:
- From the App Store, either in iTunes or on an iPhone, download and install the free AIM client for iPhone (link goes to the iTunes store).
- In iChat (or whichever instant messaging software you use), create a new contact whose AIM address is a plus sign and the mobile number of a friend, such as "+12065551212".
It works with iPod Touch too. iPhone Central has an interesting review of AIM client for iPhone.
In case you’re wondering, you may also use this very procedure to send text messages to our local access numbers. That way, it doesn’t eat up your monthly text messaging plan.
For BlackBerry, there is Beejive (formerly JiveTalk). Like AIM, it uses your data plan so there’s no per-message charge.