Ok, this is likely one of those "well, duh" things, but I happened to be sitting here thinking about the ripoff that SMS text messages are, and realized that for a flat fee every month, especially if your phone has unlimited data, if there was a way to install Pidgin onto the unit, similar to how it is on the NITs, you could send unlimited text messages to people and never once get charged a text messaging fee. The only catch is, the person on the other end would have to be using Pidgin or some other compatible IM client.

I think this was partially talked about in another thread, but the idea rattled through my head, so I figured to share it. I obviously don't text message (I think it's pointless), but I know a bunch of you guys do.

Cellular data: a simple way to beat cellular voice fees.

Yes, except SMS is not real-time (but almost) which may or may not be an advantage. Archiving of logs is scattered. The user does not have to be online. Protocl features differ, and there is the problem of which IM protocol to use. Defacto standard differ a lot per country, even community.

If your friend has Java ME on phone they can install IM client like Mig33. Usage may or may not be cheaper than SMS.

There used to be free HTTP/SMTP to SMS gateways, but they included some spam, and God knows what they did with the entered personal data. SMS to HTTP/SMTP gateway might be useful too, e.g. in case of data network down and/or emergency.

Right, but don't you cost them money for receiving the text? The idea is to not get either party charged for text messages.

For sending free SMS I use Dialcentral (Google Voice) on my tablet.

So I can send a free SMS, as well as receive a free SMS and check it on my tablet itself.
I have totally disconnected SMS service from my phones a long time.

Yes you are right - if I send an SMS to a phone - the receiving person will be charged.

Only in the US.
I have still to understand how the US Telcos managed to convince people that charging for receiving sms (or phone calls, for that matter) was sane.

I have both on my N810 and yet i dnt think it works... would anyone mind sharing this knowledge so I may enjoy free txt'n

Dialcentral is for US only.

Hello DoS on your pocket. Hmm, also the disadvantage of IPv6 instead of NATed IPv4 on your mobile phone

Yes, even if they don't have a data plan yet have IM that is an issue. On MSN you have a 'mobile' flag which an application can enable (Mig33 does). So you then know they type slower, that they must scroll if you type a lot, that any messages you send costs them money, that they cannot open URIs including URLs, that you cannot send voice clips/custom_icons/audio/video/etc, or that the status (online) does not mean they're at the phone. That kind of stuff.

I have loaded Fring on my N81 and use unlimited web on edge. I havent yet tried recieving SMS through google voice. Fring allows me to have a single IM client for Skype, yahoo, gtalk, SIP (Voip). I am even able to do Voip calls through edge. And the rate of the voip service I use is ridiculously low 1cent per minute for an international call!!