TextPlus for Android Sends Group SMS for Free [Downloads]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/lifehacker/full/~3/v0Qnlri9F_I/textplus-for-android-sends-group-sms-for-free

iPhone/Android: Want to send a text message when you're out of messages for the month, out of cellular range, or writing multiple recipients? TextPlus, a free app for Android, handles all those situations, and sends text messages entirely free.

TextPlus' recently arrived Android app works much the same as its previously mentioned iPhone app, using each cellular carrier's email-to-text system to shuttle around text messages without charge. The benefits are, of course, the free cost, the ability to run on Wi-Fi without cellular service, as well as the grouped, chat-style responses you can get from multiple recipients. On Android phones, and iPhones running the 3.0 firmware and later, you can also receive reply notifications when TextPlus isn't running. If you're a dedicated iPod touch user, it's also a convenient way to consolidate your messaging onto your persistent pocket computer.

The drawbacks are the very small hoops recipients have to jump through to reply to you, usually involving typing something like "T2" before replying, or another shortcode to get back to everyone messaged. For those situations where it's warranted, though, TextPlus is a handy option to have on hand.

TextPlus is a free download for Android and iPhones.

textPlus now on Android [official textPlus blog via AndroidGuys]