App Store review - TextPlus

TextPlus bills itself as a free way to text message with a single person or with groups.  The application says it is compatible with either the iPhone or the iPod Touch and requires either a 3G, Edge, or WiFi connection in order to work.  The application is free and they claim that they are able to provide this service thanks to built-in advertising.  There is a list of carriers that their service works with and it includes most of the major carriers including AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile, Virgin Mobile, NexTel… the list goes on.

After installing the application and inputting some phone numbers I tried it out.  I sent a text to my cell phone (I’m using an iPod Touch for this test) and within second it had arrived.  It was a request to join a conversation, if you replied then the chat was joined with whatever name you responded with.  On the iPod Touch I got a screen that looked an awful lot like iChat.  When you typed in something, it showed up on the screen and was immediately sent out to everyone you were texting.  When they responded, it showed up just as it would under iChat or any other instant messaging program.  I should point out that, although free to you, the texting does require that the people you talk to pay their regular texting rates - unless of course they also have the application, in which case it is free to everyone.

I have to say that I really like the program.  It is a great way to stay in touch with friends and it doesn’t cost a thing.  My own phone service plan charges 10 cents a text, now I text as much as I want without it costing a penny.  If you want to learn more about the program, you can head over to http://textplus.gogii.com/ and check it out, or just search for it on the iTunes App store.