Text messaging is often the easiest and most reliable method for getting into contact with your friends and family; Bob may not answer his phone if he's at work, but there's a good chance he'll check his text messages and send one back. Plenty of applications offer text messaging that works on both the iPod touch and the iPhone, though you can also send text messages via email, or through a free service such as Google Voice.
Google Voice
Step 1
Log into Google Voice on your computer to set up your account. Google Voice assigns you a virtual phone number, which you must link to your home or cell phone number. Follow the prompts for setup, until it gives you a two-digit code and a number to call. Call the number and enter the digits when prompted, in order to complete the setup.
Step 2
Open your web browser on your iPod, and visit the Google Voice website. The interface acts as a "web app," which is an app-like website that works intuitively with your iPhone.
Step 3
Click either "Inbox," to view any incoming messages, or SMS to initiate a text message. From the SMS screen, enter the phone number (or select the contact) that you wish to text to, enter the body of the text (limited to 160 characters), and press "Send."
Step 1
Determine the text email address for the phone number that you want to send a text message to; this varies depending on the carrier. A Verizon Wireless customer can be texted at 1234567890@vtext.com, AT&T uses 1234567890@txt.att.com, T-Mobile uses 12345678890@tmomail.net and Sprint uses 1234567890@messaging.sprintpcs.com.
Step 2
Open your email on your iPhone, and open a new message.
Step 3
Enter the text email address for the phone number that you wish to send a text message, and put the text message in the body of your email. Keep in mind that text messages are typically limited to 160 characters.
Step 4
Send your email. When your friend responds to the text message, the response will arrive in your inbox as a new email message.
TextNow
Step 1
Download the TextNow app from the App Store, either on iTunes or on your iPod. (See References.) TextNow not only supports SMS, but also MMS (i.e. picture messages).
Step 2
Follow the initial setup prompts, which allow you to set up a username or a phone number that people can use to send text messages and call you.
Step 3
Click the text button in the upper right corner of the app screen, and enter the phone number (or contact) that you wish the text, as well as the body of your text message.
Tip
- You can use Google Voice to text from an app environment using the application Infinite SMS GV, which supports push notifications, making it easier to keep up-to-date with your inbox. (See Resources.)
Warning
- You will need to connect to an active Internet network in order to send text messages.
