Google Text (SMS)

[ponyfool]

My Treo has internet, which is pretty cool. But my son's phone only has Text Messaging, and no internet. He showed me the coolest thing, Google Text (SMS). More details here: https://www.google.com/intl/en_us/mobile/sms/

But it does some cool stuff, for example,

Text "Weather Boston" of simply "w boston" to Google at 466453 (Google on most phones) and it replies with:

Weather:

Boston,MA

55F,Clear

Wind:NW 7 mph

Hum:45%

Tue:49F-62F,Clear

Wed:53F-68F,Mostly Sunny

Thu:60F-81F,Clear

Fri:59F-81F,Chance of Showers

Text "Spiderman Portland" and you get three text messages back:

(1/3)Movies:

* Spider-Man 3

2hr 20min,PG-13,Action/Adventure/SciFi/Fantasy/Suspense/Thriller,3.8/5

Regal Pioneer Place Stadium 6

No more showtime today.

(2/3)340 SW Morrison

Portland

800-326-3264

Regal Lloyd Mall 8

No more showtime today.

15 Lloyd Center

Portland

800-326-3264 x326

Regal Lloyd Center 10 Cinema

(3/3)No more showtime today.

1510 NE Multnomah Street

Portland

800-326-3264 x325

Text "Mexican 97219" for local listings for Mexican Restaurants, and it replies with:

(1/2)Local Listings:

Acapulco's Southwest Gold

7800 SW Capitol Hwy

Portland, 97219

503-244-0771

(2/2)Chez Jose West

8502 SW Terwilliger Blvd

Portland, 97219

503-244-0007

La Costita Mexican Restaurant

7405 SW Barbur Blvd

Portland, 97219

503-293-1899

 

[FJR_pig]

What happens when you enter FJR?

 

[GalaxyBlue]

YEah, And all for only $.99 per message... Right? That seems to be the trend these days.

 

[vol210]

Oh, now this is just too cool. I am a real tightwad when it comes to cell service. I use a prepay account that I started 4 years ago. It's dirt cheap, but I still build up minutes faster than I use them. Never had internet access, but texting is available for this cheap SOB. This service is as you say - shiznit. Thanks Scott!

Jim

 

[ponyfool]

YEah, And all for only $.99 per message... Right? That seems to be the trend these days.

My son has unlimited texting, in fact, all of our phones do, it's part of our plan. I pay extra for the internet on my phone though. He now has the ability to skirt the system a bit and access Google info through texting rather than full internet.

Plus, if you are paying $0.99 per text, you are getting soaked! Most I have seen around here is $0.10 per if done ala cart. In specific plans, down to a penny a piece. I get text alerts, etc, and probably send/receive 1200/month and it's free. I used to think that was a lot until I saw my 14 year old daughter's usage. She's at 2800/month or so (that's nearly 100 per day). But, what the hell, it's included.

 

[TheAxeman]

What happens when you enter FJR?

Here is what happens.....

Did you mean 'FJR1300'? Sorry, neither 'fjr 1300' nor 'FJR1300' returned any results.

For HELP on Google SMS, please reply with 'help'.

 

[ponyfool]

What happens when you enter FJR?

Entered: FJR

Returned:

22 May 07

Fujairah International Airport

Al-Fujairah, AE

86 F

Clear

No delay information is available for this airport

So, now I know what it's like in the United Arab Emirates at 5:41pm their time.

 

[TheAxeman]

Seems like this would be pretty handy though. Thanks for the heads up.

This feature along with TELENAV GPS on my Nextel phones makes the phones even more useful while traveling.

 

[E1Allen]

I like my treo, but I have the internet so its all good.