How to send free texts from the galaxy tab?

[Skatedawg]

Now I didn't try the phone feature because im pretty sure that does not work. You could get a Skype plan if you want that feature. but texting does work.

 

[PookiePrancer]

Cool. Thanks for the help. I'm gonna try it. Should I link it to my home phone or cell?

Doesn't matter. Voice can be as useful as you want it to be. For example, I travel a lot, so I tell my family that when they call me, they can a) call my home and see if I'm there; or call my Evo which I can't use if I'm overseas ; or call my work cell which technically can't be used for personal needs UNLESS I'm overseas... or b) dial my Voice number which is set to ring all three at the same time, and I can then pick up whichever phone my situation warrants. So they can make one call, or potentially three.

If you link it to your cell, you could use Voice to text from it as well. Two reasons why I don't do that : unlimited texting is included in my Sprint Evo plan, and Voice doesn't do MMS.

 

[PookiePrancer]

Now I didn't try the phone feature because im pretty sure that does not work. You could get a Skype plan if you want that feature. but texting does work.

There's ways around the phone calling too, but nothing really simple and completely free. So for that, you will need an app that both you and your recipient use. I use Tango with my family for now since it gives video chat as well, but once Skype video comes to Android, I'll be all over that. A lot more people have Skype than anything else as well.

 

[NHBass39]

Absolutely free. Get yourself a Google Voice phone number. You'll have to link it to a phone you can make and receive phone calls on so you can complete the verification process. Once you do that, you can add your Tab's phone number as a linked number as well. When you do that, Google will call your Tab as well to ensure it's a real number. Obviously, you'll never get that call since the Tab has no phone function (at least not one you can easily access). Don't worry about that.

The next step is to install the Google Voice app on your Tab from the market. Open it up, go to settings, and select the option to "never make phone calls. " (though it doesn't really matter since the Tab can't anyway.)

That's it. Now go back to the app and open the menu. Select "compose" and text a loved one or yourself to make sure it works. The only caveat : texts will come from your Google Voice number, so if your contacts don't have it as one of your mobile numbers, they'll be wondering who is texting them the first time you do it. Once they update your information in their contacts list with your new number, they will know it's you. NEVER text from your Tab's number when you text from it. If people want to text your Tab, they should text your Voice number, NEVER your Tab's real number. And it goes without saying that the stock messaging app will no longer be of any use to you. FREE texting. Oh, and Voice works over 3g and wifi. The paid messaging the rep was talking about is if you text to or from your Tab's real number.

Just tried to add my tabs phone number and it says it cannot verify my number. What can I do about that? Please HELP!!!!!

 

[PookiePrancer]

Just tried to add my tabs phone number and it says it cannot verify my number. What can I do about that? Please HELP!!!!!

Yup; just as I said, because you'll never be able to answer the confirmation call they send your Tab. Don't worry about it. Just exit out of the Voice website. Install the Google Voice app from the market and you should be good to go. Even though I've been using Voice to text from my Tab for almost a month, the Voice website still says it's "unverified. " Big whoop. Going to bed now, but post if you have any further problems and I'll check back in tomorrow.

 

[NHBass39]

All set now. Works great. Thanks for the help.

 

[PookiePrancer]

All set now. Works great. Thanks for the help.

Any time! Glad I could help. Feel free to hit that little button on the bottom right.

 

[wordweaver]

Thanks! Any way to send Free MMS?

I think I positively HATE Verizon. I just got my Verizon G-tab two weeks ago and the sales weasel told me that the data plan included messaging. Lies. Anyway, thanks for the googlevoice tips. Now, I wonder, any way to send free MMS? I am kind of irritated because the Verizon sales weasel also told me that the G-tab can be used with video enabled Skype, which is clearly NOT the case. I would love to be able to send pics/video via messaging but I refuse to buy a Verizon messaging plan because it is a total rip off. LOVE my Tab, btw

 

[curney]

2 weeks? Can't you still return it? I have Verizon for voice so don't think I'm being a hater but their 3g is the slowest and they want extra money for texting. In 3g areas (not as many as vzn but where I live) I get 3mbs down on tmo where as i used to get 800k tops on vzn. Sprint also has a great price in 2gb and includes text.

I think I positively HATE Verizon. I just got my Verizon G-tab two weeks ago and the sales weasel told me that the data plan included messaging. Lies. Anyway, thanks for the googlevoice tips. Now, I wonder, any way to send free MMS? I am kind of irritated because the Verizon sales weasel also told me that the G-tab can be used with video enabled Skype, which is clearly NOT the case. I would love to be able to send pics/video via messaging but I refuse to buy a Verizon messaging plan because it is a total rip off. LOVE my Tab, btw

Sent from my Galaxy Tab using Tapatalk

 

[wordweaver]

2 weeks? Can't you still return it? I have Verizon for voice so don't think I'm being a hater but their 3g is the slowest and they want extra money for texting. In 3g areas (not as many as vzn but where I live) I get 3mbs down on tmo where as i used to get 800k tops on vzn. Sprint also has a great price in 2gb and includes text.





Sent from my Galaxy Tab using Tapatalk

I could and still might return it for a Sprint Tab. My only worry with that is being trapped in a two year contract. I love Sprint for my phones, I'm not sure that data is necessary on the GTab. Verizon is month to month, so I don't know if it's worth it to pay Sprint for two years so I can have mms?! Seems silly to pay for 3G on this when I could drop Verizon and go wifi only. I'm undecided.

 

[jkurl15]

Most people have smartphones today. You could use something like yahoo messenger or another program like Curney mentioned.

 

[wordweaver]

Yeah, and i'm one of them. I just think it's cruddy the way Verizon basically cripples the device by making everything an additional charge. Still, I don't want to be stuck in a contract with Sprint. I wonder how necessary 3G really is. Especially if all the Verizon data plan gives you is connectivity. I live in a college town -- wifi is everywhere.

 

[curney]

I got my T-Mobile for $250 on contract full well believing that I would cancel the data plan and pay the $200 etf fee. That makes it $450 no contract. Now I'm not chanting you go that route but its an option. What is the etf for sprint? I bet you can get it for less than the $399 if you ask. If you get it for 299 and the etf is the same 200 then its the same price you paid. I think you can do data month to month with any of the 4 carriers. That being the case the 2gb with sprint is a pretty good plan. I try to use the carriers like they use me. I haven't paid for a phone in years. I always sell my old phone when I get a new one and get them to give me discounts. I don't feel bad bargaining. They make out like bandits.

I could and still might return it for a Sprint Tab. My only worry with that is being trapped in a two year contract. I love Sprint for my phones, I'm not sure that data is necessary on the GTab. Verizon is month to month, so I don't know if it's worth it to pay Sprint for two years so I can have mms?! Seems silly to pay for 3G on this when I could drop Verizon and go wifi only. I'm undecided.

Sent from my Galaxy Tab using Tapatalk

 

[jkurl15]

I got the sprint tab off of eBay. You can find them there for pretty good lives. They get cheaper everyday. I saw a unlocked tab for 678.00. Which is not bad price. I use mine w/ the virgin mobile mifi unlimited data for $40 a month and it is month to month.

 

[wordweaver]

I returned the Verizon GTab today (on the 14th day). I got them to refund the ridiculous restocking fee and I drove directly across the street to Best Buy and got the Sprint version. Thanks for the advice, btw. I think, if I am going to use the 3G (which I will because I love the device configured that way -- it's more useful to me) I may as well be able to send/recieve unlimited sms/mms. Plus, the Sprint deal with the 2gigs gives me just that much more 3G playtime AND... I was able to get a protection plan, which was NOT available from Verizon. Verizon is suckmost as far as nickel and diming customers. Sorry if I sound like a hater, but after dealing with Sprint's superior data plans and packages for so many years, Verizon's stingy plans were a rude awakening.

 

[niteowl360]

Google Voice not available in my neck of the woods, but I can highly recommend Whatsapp.
You can also communicate with lesser individuals using iPhone and BB

 

[2swol]

Again thanks for the info! I followed your directions however when i go to compose text it will not allow me to send test text. Displays "message could not be sent"