Free texting to Australia

Yep - it's called Viber. VOIP but it allows you to text as well. If you all have it loaded on. The beauty of it is you do not need an account IDs or anything etc. You just load it on, verify via sms and use it. It searches your contact list for those who have Viber installed also and gives that list to call or text. No sign up, no giving your email to yet another company to target you with. All free over data plan.

(I am also in Oz BTW!!)

 

Whatsapp is another app that use can use and it's also available for blackberry.

 

No, all require a common client (be it Viber, whatsapp, and many others) between the sender and receiver, because the msg is sent/receive through internet.

 

I could be wrong, but try using Google Voice to text your friend. It will send right to their phone and it doesn't require them to download it. It has free text, just can't do pic texts is all.

 

There are also many web pages that can text to mobile numbers. Eg. I use 'VOIPBuster' (www.voipbuster.com) based in Europe but there are many names for the same service. Although they have mobile apps it does require that both of you have it installed. However once you have your own account; on android browser you can log in and send SMS from the browser. Registering your mobile simply means you verify that you own the number, but when you send from the browser it 'appears' the SMS is coming from your mobile #. When you log into your account you can even schedule to send an SMS on a future date and time. The ricipent only needs a valid number. There does cost a few euro cents per message. Not entirely free but close to?!

 

Textplus allows texting to any phone in US and Canada only.
For all other countries/regions, it requires both parties to install Textplus for mutual texting (over wifi)

Also, Textplus assigns a new phone number different from your own phone number.
Viber and whatsapp use your same old mobile number as your account. (This is a BIG plus!!!)

 

Kik Messenger may work, however your overseas friends will have to have an Android or Iphone and have the app.