Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Cheap text messaging with FishText
A couple of weeks or months ago I came across a text messaging service called FishText. It allows me to send cheap text messages (SMS) worldwide from internet (FishText website) and from my mobile phone. The service is cheap because all text messages are sent as data. That means mobile internet is also required on your handset. There is special version for iPhone available in App Store, but also all Java phones are supported. For the Java app, simply point your mobile browser to http://wap.fishtext.com/FishText.jar and download the JAR file directly to your phone memory or memory card. Installation is quick and easy. I have the app running on my Nokia N95 8 GB phone with operation system Symbian S60 3rd Edition Feature Pack 1. I also tested the app on Symbian S40 device (Nokia 5310 XpressMusic).
For creating account, you will have to go to FishText official website. This is where you register and verify your number. The initial free credit as tryout is 0.30 EUR, which is good for up to 20 text messages. Yes, the rates goes from as low as 0.015 EUR for one text message (e.g. to Egypt, india, Slovenia, Kenya, South Africa, Serbia, Thailand and some selected networks in various countries, etc.), the most common price is 0.020 EUR (including to Argentina, USA, Hong Kong, Canada, Singapore, Czech Rep., Slovakia, Denmark, Lebanon, Russia, Venezuela and many others), but there are networks and countries with prices 0.030 EUR (e.g. UK), 0.050 EUR (e.g. China), 0.070 EUR (e.g. Spain, France) up to 0.100 EUR for SMS to CCT (Caribbean Cellular Telephone) in British Virgin Islands and Claro (Albra Telecommunicacoes Ltda) in Brazil. All prices and supported networks available here.
As I said, the application requires an internet connection. I currently use wnw 1500 (1500 MB data pack from T-Mobile SK), which allows me to be connected anytime I want and never even come close to the limit. Ask your mobile operator for data packages to avoid surprise.
I also want to point out current prices of SMS without using FishText. Normally I pay 0.100 EUR per SMS to national number (Slovakia), but with FishText I only pay 0.020 EUR - 5 times less. I also frequently send messages to Ecuador, which normally cost me 0.150 EUR. With FishText is as low as 0.020 EUR (7.5 times less). That's a significant difference.
Website overview
The FishText website provides full control of your account. You can send text messages, add contacts (Web contacts), or purchase credit. PayPal, Google Checkout and credit cards are accepted. As a bonus, you get 5 EUR free credit when you purchase 20 EUR credit. The credit does not expire, just logining in at least once in every 6 months is required to keep the account alive.
Mobile application
On my Symbian handsaet the application has Symbian-like design. The main screen has 2 input fields. The first one is for phone number of the recipient, the second for the message itself. You can add recipent from your phone book (Add from Contacts), choose one of the pre-defined Web contacts or write the number. The disadvantage is that you can only choose 1 recipeint from your phone book at a time. To have the Web contacts available in your mobile device, you have to synchronize the application with your online account by clicking Options > Symchronise. When sending a message, you can choose one or more Webcontacts. Unfortunately, only 1 of 3 methods of selecting recipients is available at time. Hopefully, in the future it would be possible to select contact from phone book, add web contact and type new recipent's number for the same text message.
Very useful is the function to check the remaining balance, price of the SMS and even buy credit (credit cards only) directly from the application user interface.
Highly appreciated are also features like choosing your own registered number as sender or sending the SMS anonymously and delivery reports, which tells you if the text message was delivered succesfully or not.
I'm not in any way related to FishText or its developers. I just want to let you guys know about this awesome app which saves me money. Of course mobile internet connection is necessary for running the app on your handset, so I would recommend a data pack with at least a couple of megabytes per month. I haven't tried other than Nokia phone, but I guess the app runs on almost any phone as Java is supported by most mobile phone manufacturers.
Follow @FishText on Twitter for updates, including a chance to win free credit, just like I me and 3 other people did last Friday.
Please follow me (@Netro1) on Twitter for news about mobile internet, applications and telecomunications.
For creating account, you will have to go to FishText official website. This is where you register and verify your number. The initial free credit as tryout is 0.30 EUR, which is good for up to 20 text messages. Yes, the rates goes from as low as 0.015 EUR for one text message (e.g. to Egypt, india, Slovenia, Kenya, South Africa, Serbia, Thailand and some selected networks in various countries, etc.), the most common price is 0.020 EUR (including to Argentina, USA, Hong Kong, Canada, Singapore, Czech Rep., Slovakia, Denmark, Lebanon, Russia, Venezuela and many others), but there are networks and countries with prices 0.030 EUR (e.g. UK), 0.050 EUR (e.g. China), 0.070 EUR (e.g. Spain, France) up to 0.100 EUR for SMS to CCT (Caribbean Cellular Telephone) in British Virgin Islands and Claro (Albra Telecommunicacoes Ltda) in Brazil. All prices and supported networks available here.
As I said, the application requires an internet connection. I currently use wnw 1500 (1500 MB data pack from T-Mobile SK), which allows me to be connected anytime I want and never even come close to the limit. Ask your mobile operator for data packages to avoid surprise.
I also want to point out current prices of SMS without using FishText. Normally I pay 0.100 EUR per SMS to national number (Slovakia), but with FishText I only pay 0.020 EUR - 5 times less. I also frequently send messages to Ecuador, which normally cost me 0.150 EUR. With FishText is as low as 0.020 EUR (7.5 times less). That's a significant difference.
Website overview
The FishText website provides full control of your account. You can send text messages, add contacts (Web contacts), or purchase credit. PayPal, Google Checkout and credit cards are accepted. As a bonus, you get 5 EUR free credit when you purchase 20 EUR credit. The credit does not expire, just logining in at least once in every 6 months is required to keep the account alive.
Mobile application
On my Symbian handsaet the application has Symbian-like design. The main screen has 2 input fields. The first one is for phone number of the recipient, the second for the message itself. You can add recipent from your phone book (Add from Contacts), choose one of the pre-defined Web contacts or write the number. The disadvantage is that you can only choose 1 recipeint from your phone book at a time. To have the Web contacts available in your mobile device, you have to synchronize the application with your online account by clicking Options > Symchronise. When sending a message, you can choose one or more Webcontacts. Unfortunately, only 1 of 3 methods of selecting recipients is available at time. Hopefully, in the future it would be possible to select contact from phone book, add web contact and type new recipent's number for the same text message.
Very useful is the function to check the remaining balance, price of the SMS and even buy credit (credit cards only) directly from the application user interface.
Highly appreciated are also features like choosing your own registered number as sender or sending the SMS anonymously and delivery reports, which tells you if the text message was delivered succesfully or not.
I'm not in any way related to FishText or its developers. I just want to let you guys know about this awesome app which saves me money. Of course mobile internet connection is necessary for running the app on your handset, so I would recommend a data pack with at least a couple of megabytes per month. I haven't tried other than Nokia phone, but I guess the app runs on almost any phone as Java is supported by most mobile phone manufacturers.
Follow @FishText on Twitter for updates, including a chance to win free credit, just like I me and 3 other people did last Friday.
Please follow me (@Netro1) on Twitter for news about mobile internet, applications and telecomunications.
Friday, January 1, 2010
Countdown for S60
Majkl.z.gamez has been looking for Symbian app to countdown time for a project he is working on. I was thinking which app can do it (months, days, not only minutes and seconds) and couldn't figure any regular solution. Then I came up with Skyfire + http://e.ggtimer.com. You can put any date after slash symbol, e.g. http://e.ggtimer.com/19june2010, so all you need to do is to bookmark the URL and check out anytime interested how much time you have left. Here is how it looks like in landscape mode on my N95 8GB.
Monday, October 26, 2009
I'm a millionaire, for real... they say!
Today I received this e-mail. I usually don't even open this kind of messages, just mark them as spam, but today I opened the e-mail, fortunately I opened it. Otherwise I would lose this one-in-a-lifetime chance. They are about to send me a 4.5 million USD! Yeeeeaah! :)
------------
Subject: ATTENTION BENEFICIARY
From: Zenith Bank Of Nigeria.
To: me
Zenith Bank Of Nigeria
Opposite shop 228c Alaba
International Market Lagos Nigeria.
From the Desk of the Manager,
Zenith Bank Of Nigeria.
Attention: ,
I know this letter will come to you as surprise one
but i want you to read this with maturity.This day,
one Mrs. Cynthia Edward, came to my office to let us
know that you are DEAD, and before your death, you
instructed her to come for the claim of your funds in
the tune of US$4.5Million that was long abandoned
in your name with Zenith Bank Of Nigeria.So here
comes the big question....
(:i) Did you authorize Mrs. Cynthia Edward to come
for your claim?
(ii) Are you truly Dead OR Alive?
If (NO) you are hereby advice as a matter of urgency
to reconfirm the details of this message within
24hours, hence your funds shall be wired into her
account without any more delay.
Lastly, you are advice to reconfirm the details of this
message and get back immediately with these
information's
below..
1.Full name:......................... ....
2.Direct telephone number:....................
3.Address:.................... ..........
4.Your personal identification to enable us confirm
you are not dead.
This information's above must be provided for
reconfirmation to Enable us make payment to you,
hence, your funds will be remit/wire into her
account as already provide to this management.
We wait for your urgent response today. You need
to act very fast, because if this bank wait for your
urgent reply within three working days and did not
received any message from you, you will be consider
dead, and your funds will be transfer to Mrs. Cynthia
Edward.
Here is an account provide by Mrs. Cynthia Edward
to this bank, are you also the one who ask her to
provide this bank account to us?
Washington Mutual Bank
2075 S. Victoria Ave
Ventura, CA 93003
800 788-7000
Acct. name: Mrs. Cynthia Edward.
Type: Checking
ABA # 322271627
Acct # 1951204345
Amount: US$4.5Million.
Furthermore, this bank discovered that you have
been dealing with some bad eggs officials whom
SCAMED some money from you without doing the
right thing, Be advice to STOP further
communication with them, your funds is now
approved for payment, follow the right procedure
now.
This message demand urgent attention, the bank is
waiting to hear from you, do call this below direct
number.
Mobile Direct Hot Line : +234-7081581021
Regards,
Dr Jim Ovia.
The Manager
Zenith Bank Of Nigeria.
------------
Man, I can't believe this is still earning money for the sender. I can't believe that some people are still stupid enough to answer this kind of e-mail. LOL at the e-mail address (zenithbanknigeriaplc@web2mail.com), they even don't bother to create a serious looking domain for sending e-mails.
------------
Subject: ATTENTION BENEFICIARY
From: Zenith Bank Of Nigeria.
To: me
Zenith Bank Of Nigeria
Opposite shop 228c Alaba
International Market Lagos Nigeria.
From the Desk of the Manager,
Zenith Bank Of Nigeria.
Attention: ,
I know this letter will come to you as surprise one
but i want you to read this with maturity.This day,
one Mrs. Cynthia Edward, came to my office to let us
know that you are DEAD, and before your death, you
instructed her to come for the claim of your funds in
the tune of US$4.5Million that was long abandoned
in your name with Zenith Bank Of Nigeria.So here
comes the big question....
(:i) Did you authorize Mrs. Cynthia Edward to come
for your claim?
(ii) Are you truly Dead OR Alive?
If (NO) you are hereby advice as a matter of urgency
to reconfirm the details of this message within
24hours, hence your funds shall be wired into her
account without any more delay.
Lastly, you are advice to reconfirm the details of this
message and get back immediately with these
information's
below..
1.Full name:......................... ....
2.Direct telephone number:....................
3.Address:.................... ..........
4.Your personal identification to enable us confirm
you are not dead.
This information's above must be provided for
reconfirmation to Enable us make payment to you,
hence, your funds will be remit/wire into her
account as already provide to this management.
We wait for your urgent response today. You need
to act very fast, because if this bank wait for your
urgent reply within three working days and did not
received any message from you, you will be consider
dead, and your funds will be transfer to Mrs. Cynthia
Edward.
Here is an account provide by Mrs. Cynthia Edward
to this bank, are you also the one who ask her to
provide this bank account to us?
Washington Mutual Bank
2075 S. Victoria Ave
Ventura, CA 93003
800 788-7000
Acct. name: Mrs. Cynthia Edward.
Type: Checking
ABA # 322271627
Acct # 1951204345
Amount: US$4.5Million.
Furthermore, this bank discovered that you have
been dealing with some bad eggs officials whom
SCAMED some money from you without doing the
right thing, Be advice to STOP further
communication with them, your funds is now
approved for payment, follow the right procedure
now.
This message demand urgent attention, the bank is
waiting to hear from you, do call this below direct
number.
Mobile Direct Hot Line : +234-7081581021
Regards,
Dr Jim Ovia.
The Manager
Zenith Bank Of Nigeria.
------------
Man, I can't believe this is still earning money for the sender. I can't believe that some people are still stupid enough to answer this kind of e-mail. LOL at the e-mail address (zenithbanknigeriaplc@web2mail.com), they even don't bother to create a serious looking domain for sending e-mails.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Touch.facebook.com at Nokia N95 8GB
New mobile touchscreen optimized Facebook website, way better than m.facebook.com. You can use it even you don't have a touchscreen phone. It includes search options, list of recent notifications, wall, events, requests and many more.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Discovery space shuttle launch
For y'all the fans of space, I would like to invite you to a NASA Discovery space shuttle launch which will be at 5:59 CEST (Central European Summer Time) or 11:59 pm ET (Eastern Time in US) form Kennedy Space Centre, Florida.
The objective of this space mission is to bring and use some new equipment for new Japanese Kibo laboratory, which was completed on previous mission. More about shuttle mission at NASA website dedicated to Space Shuttles.
You can watch it live right here or click one of the links below to get to NASA TV or Live Stream websites.
Enjoy!
The objective of this space mission is to bring and use some new equipment for new Japanese Kibo laboratory, which was completed on previous mission. More about shuttle mission at NASA website dedicated to Space Shuttles.
You can watch it live right here or click one of the links below to get to NASA TV or Live Stream websites.
Enjoy!
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
My first blog
As you may notice this blog is in English now. I have migrated my Slovak written blog Kritik všetkého (Critic of everything) to a new domain http://kritikvsetkeho.blogspot.com. I will keep this domain (netro1.blogspot.com) for my English written posts. So hope I'll write something soon here as well as my other blog. Keep coming in the future for updates...
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