Free Texts: Includes virtually free texts from mobiles Discussion

peterbaker

MSE_Archna wrote: »

Vyke is going to create a temporary solution for Vodafone users that should be available on its site by Wednesday.

Brilliant news! Hopefully it is a Vyke Pro solution? Well done Vyke!

As a result of the temporary solution it means anyone using Vyke with this temp solution will get free texts to non-Vyke users (currently its free between Vyke customers or 1p/text to a non vyke user) until they can sort a permanent solution.

The current 1p/text to a non vyke user is not my experience using Vyke Pro (I've been getting those FREE!!). If Vyke are looking for a surge of new users from MSE then it would be best to clarify this last bit. As I said, I have played with Tex2, smsbug and Vyke for 6 months and Vyke Pro is by far the most attractive / convenient solution for sending Free texts

As far as Vyke know all other networks should work.

Does it work on "3"? Didn't Vyke themselves used to say no on the website or have they overcome that hurdle? Also, some older handsets whilst perhaps not crippled might have poorly implemented internet connectoids. One very popular handset that might work with Vyke but didn't with smsbug for example was Nokia 6230 (some of the later of the 'i' designated 6230 handsets were a bit better. It is a horribly complex problem for developers like Vyke as it is beginning to look like the mobile companies set up barricades months ago in the handsets with every single toy they could throw out of their prams! (Forgive me but I can't resist mixed metaphors once I've dreamt them up )

DAMNOME

Downloaded Vyke windows mobile version to my Lobster that I had for £19.99 from Virgin thanks to this site and it works perfectly. Going to take it to Cyprus next month to make calls back to UK for 3.14p - cant beat that and i'm glad to find a use for the Lobster phone too!

peterbaker

Disco_Des wrote: »

Can anyone use Vyke with the a 3G phone (not via wi-fi) to send messages?? :question: Please tell us.

Isn't my Nokia 9500 3G? Whatever, if it helps Des I can confirm that when I am not using it for Vyke Pro over WiFi it works just fine over O2 Internet (G for GPRS connection shows onscreen) and comes out of my O2 1.5MB monthly data allowance without ever busting it!

I can also confirm that sending a text and getting a "Message Sent" on screen is just as fast as normal SMS and it arrives just as fast (probably much faster if you are at a big event where texts often get delayed as much as 24 hours using your normal provider:rolleyes: )

Disco_Des

Thanks Peter, what I guess i was saying is by using 3G and not by wi-fi, so it seems that O2 works and from Damnome's message that Virgin Mobile works. We know that Vodaphone does not (until the software update on the 29th Aug), so how about Orange via 3G not Wi-Fi, has anyone got this to work?

I wanted to find out originally as I'm off to Spain on the 8th Sept and wanted to use Vyke there from my Nokia 6233 on Orange pay monthly for my texts and calls. I have turned to SMSbug for the texts, but I like the Texts and calls service that Vyke offers over 3G.

peterbaker

Disco_Des wrote: »

... so how about Orange via 3G not Wi-Fi, has anyone got this to work?

Yes Des, my son used Vyke Pro for free texts successfully using his Orange PAYG SIM in an O2 Direct refurbished 6230i - he just can't get it to work now using the same Orange SIM in his latest handset an ex Vodafone Contract W800i.

As for using Vyke for any data purpose whilst abroad (including setting up VoIP calls), do be very very careful that you understand how roamed data charging works. I have seen £8 per MB mentioned and I don't know if some tariffs might even make an initial connection charge. I used mine in France this summer but waited until I was safely in the villa with WiFi before I sent a text via Vyke! When out of WiFi range I just used up my bundled O2 Contract texts at the rate of 4 to 1 (rip off but at least I knew how much!).

j_moomin

Just to clarify, Vyke downloads but doesn't connect on O2 pay and go.

peterbaker

j_moomin wrote: »

Just to clarify, Vyke downloads but doesn't connect on O2 pay and go.

Have you tried the O2 PAYG SIM in a different handset? Your current handset may be crippled if it is recent or just too old if it is not?

There's even a further variable - many SIMs still in use are 2G and I am not sure if that makes a difference.

Any others definitely sure they can't get an O2 PAYG SIM to work? I think have an O2 PAYG SIM I could try in my O2 Contract handset if it is an experiment that would help anyone?

HolisticHarmony

This thread mainly seems to be about Vyke at the mo but just wanted to give a thumbs up to cbfsms mentioned in Martin's article.

When I'm online it's much quicker for me to type a text message on my computer than use my phone. The great thing about cbfsms (which wasn't mentioned in the article) is that you can receive replies too. And it doesn't cost a penny to send or receive! Of course it means you have to identify yourself as a different reply code (number) is sent to the recipient every time you send a message. But at least they can then reply.

I've just tested a couple of messages back and forth with my OH. In fact, he sent two messages to one of the reply codes and I got both of them. He's now saved one of the numbers in his phone and will try later/tomorrow to see if he can continue using it.

I've been using Skype up to now which costs 0.08 Euros (5p) per text and doesn't allow replies so this is a great replacement! :cheesy:

Disco_Des

peterbaker wrote: »

Have you tried the O2 PAYG SIM in a different handset? Your current handset may be crippled if it is recent or just too old if it is not?

There's even a further variable - many SIMs still in use are 2G and I am not sure if that makes a difference.

Any others definitely sure they can't get an O2 PAYG SIM to work? I think have an O2 PAYG SIM I could try in my O2 Contract handset if it is an experiment that would help anyone?

:j I now have Vyke support on the case! :T

4$£&*(£$&*(!

Also T-Mobile customers have a very, very important change being imposed at the end of September. Instead of under a penny per kilobyte, they are now charging you a flat £1 per day for any data access. They've obviously cottoned onto the fact this could take a lot of revenue from them so made it completely unworthwhile to use.

I'm betting this is only the start of people introducing minimum data charges to circumvent this. I only wish someone would start looking into the unfairness of text messaging costs, it is exhorbitant.