Free SMS and Mobile Phone Freebies
In this category, we review the Internet's best SMS and mobile phone freebies. If you happen to stumble across an outdated link, we'd very much appreciate it if you could report it.
TextMeFree.com - A great Web site, dedicated to listing and reviewing the Internet's free SMS text messaging services. Whilst there aren't many portals comparable to TextMeFree.com on the Net, those that are operational tend to be biased towards certain countries, e.g. "UK only" or "US only". This portal is refreshingly different and includes dozens and dozens of worldwide services.
60SMS.com - A superb free SMS service that allows you to send messages to mobile phones in over 50 countries. There is no registration to complete and also no subscription fees either (unlike a number of similar SMS services). You may begin writing a text message immediately, after which it will be sent instantly to the phone number of your choice. This service supports text messages up to 130 characters in length.
Ctunes.eu - For all you Classical music fans out there, this site serves up free mobile phone ring tones in MP3 format. You'll find both classical and folk ring tones here from numerous renowned composers, including Beethoven, Grieg, Mozart, Bach, etc. For convenience, all the MP3s at this site have been organised into musical genres. The downloads offered here are free, completely legal, and can be accessed without any registration.
FoneTastic.com - You'll find a great free SMS service here, plus free operator logos, free ring tones and many more tools that'll help to completely personalise your phone and keep you ahead of your friends. Users should note that each day 10 free "text messaging" credits can be used. The more frequently you return to their site, the more messages you are able to send. (UK Only)
Free MP3 to Ringtone Converter - Here's a great tool for converting your MP3 sound files to mobile phone ringtones. With this service, converting MP3s is very easy indeed and can be completed in three simple steps: choose your MP3 to upload, edit your MP3 to the desired file size, and then download your new ringtone to your PC for transfer with a data cable or Bluetooth. You may also download direct to your mobile phone by WAP.
Skype
- A fantastic freeware program that allows you to make free telephone
calls over the Internet with other Skype users, regardless of their
location in the world. This program operates using peer to peer (P2P)
networking and in a similar fashion to many instant messengers, allows
you to see if your contacts are online or otherwise unavailable. Skype
is free of spyware and adware, so you can be sure you're installing
a safe and secure program.
> When one Skype user contacts another, a
video chat mode can be initiated. In order to take advantage of this
feature, both parties require a Web cam and ideally a broadband Internet
connection.
> Users of Skype can also contact landlines
and mobiles for a competitive rate, with no monthly fees or contracts.
Mr. Tones - Serves up a nice collection of free ringtones for Nokia, Motorola, Ericsson, Alcatel, Panasonic and other mobile phones in the "keypress" format. This bright and colourful site is very easy to browse, and conveniently arranges the tones into musical genres, such as Pop, Rock, Dance, R&B, Soul, Latin, Jazz, and more. The latest artists are included on their home page.
CBFSMS.com - A free SMS service for those sending text messages within the UK CBFSMS.com (known as "CardboardFish") also utilises a delivery confirmation system, so you can quickly establish if your message has arrived at its intended destination. To use this service, you must ensure that pop-up blockers are turned off. CBFSMS also offers a VIP (commercial) package with enhanced features. (UK Only)
SMSFun - A free mobile phone community that allows members to send free SMS text messages everyday via the Web. Users can send messages between Australia, the UK and New Zealand. Members can earn more SMS credit or (Joobz) by participating in the various services around the site. SMSFun also includes the hottest member competitions, auctions, chat room, SMS reminders, "fool your friend" SMS pranks, and more. (UK, Australia and New Zealand)
O2.co.uk - O2.co.uk allows you to send free SMS text messages to any UK mobile phone, regardless of the network. We particularly like the way you are able to quickly register with the site, then opt to receive text-message updates, play games or (if you like), receive the "O2" operator logo. News, details on WAP and a free e-mail account is also included here. (UK Only)
SMS Pup - Claiming to be Australia's most popular free SMS Internet service, SMS Pup provides free Web based mobile text messaging services to over 300,000 Australian mobile users. In return, users must agree to receive promotional e-mails from SMS Pup. They may also send you occasional SMS texts, promoting various offers. Please note that this service is only for Australian residents. (Australia Only)
ICQ SMS Center - At ICQ's site, you can send free SMS messages from your computer to any mobile phone in the world. The service supports a wide range of international networks (O2), Omnipoint, Pacific Bell, Powertel, One-To-one, etc.), and also gives in-depth SMS FAQs. You may send the messages through your ICQ program or from a message centre on the ICQ Web site.
TransL8It! - TransL8it! is a free, user-friendly translation engine for SMS message lingo, "texting", acronyms and emoticons. Unless you haven't sent text messages before, you will have discovered the need to keep SMS messages short and concise. This Web site has quite a groovy design and provides plenty of features, including the aforementioned translator and a "lingo search" feature.
MessagingYou - This service offers a free downloadable application that allows registered users to send free text messages to any cell phone in the U.S. from their desktop. However, unlike many similar services, MessagingYou is not an e-mail to SMS gateway. The technology here is slightly different, meaning your messages are sent straight through all major U.S. SMS carriers. (U.S. Only)