Send Text Messages via Email

I’ve sent a couple text message to friends in the US while I’ve been in Ecuador.  While I could just send these from my cell phone here (I have an Movistar SIM card activated for use in Ecuador) it’s cheaper and almost easier to just send a text message via email.  This can be done from anywhere in the world, and I send text messages this way from time to time.  All you need to know to send a text message through email is the persons cell phone number and what service provider they use.  Fortunately, Wikipedia has a list of SMS gateways sorted by carrier, so you can look up what address to send your email to to send a text message.

This is a really easy and fast way to send a text message, and because it’s free it’s obviously cost effective, especially if you’re sending the message internationally or don’t have text messages on your mobile service plan.  Another neat trick is that if you’re big on setting reminders for yourself, any calendar software or service you use that send reminders via email can be used to send you a reminder on your phone via text message.