iPad Messages App

[Hank Scorpio]

I'm not really entirely savvy when it comes to this type of stuff, but I was wondering if anyone was especially familiar with this app.
 
Personally, I absolutely loathe cell phones, and chose to stop carrying one several years ago. If nothing else, it stops me from getting called into work every single time I have a day off (even now, I see my boss's face glow with delight whenever he sees my MP3 player... "You finally got a cell phone again!?"). It's liberating to be able to give the excuse of "I didn't answer your call because I was out" too.
 
However, at times, I do wish to be able to reach someone via text. Someone told me to checkout What's App, but I couldn't find it for the iPad. Seems to be iPhone only. Facebook messenger is nice, but not everyone has Facebook. So I decided to tinker with the default Message App on my iPad. Tried to send one friend a message, and it failed. Tried another, and it worked. Tried to message myself, and it failed. The friend who got the message said the contact showed up as my email address (same one as linked with my Apple account).
 
Any reason why I can message some, but not others, including myself?
 
Any better apps out there that work on the iPad, where I could message basically anyone provided I have their cell number?
 
 
 
 

 

[swiftaw]

The iPad messages app will only send iMessages (in can relay regular texts if you also have an iPhone) so you can only message people that have idevices.

You can send texts via email, you have to look up the exact format but it's usually something like phonenumber@provider.

Alternatively, sign up for google voice, then you should be able to send text messages though the google voice app or the Google hangouts app

 

[Nick Kaufman]

Skype allows you to send text messages with your skype id. But you do have to pay.

 

[Traut]

Google hangouts.

 

[swiftaw]

This has changed since you posted. You can now text anyone, idevice or not, from a macbook or iPad as long as your iMessages is turned on and you are working from your cell #. Not sure which of the latest updates did this but I was surprised as well. Phone calls also show up on the iPad or Mac.

I thought this is only if you have an iPhone to relay the messages through. So if don't have an iPhone you can't get SMS and phone calls on your Mac/IPad.

 

[SumnerH]

I'm not really entirely savvy when it comes to this type of stuff, but I was wondering if anyone was especially familiar with this app.
 
Personally, I absolutely loathe cell phones, and chose to stop carrying one several years ago. If nothing else, it stops me from getting called into work every single time I have a day off (even now, I see my boss's face glow with delight whenever he sees my MP3 player... "You finally got a cell phone again!?"). It's liberating to be able to give the excuse of "I didn't answer your call because I was out" too.

 
There are social solutions to that.  I don't give my cell # to work.  I talked it through with my employer when I was offered the job and made it clear that I'm not interested in being on call (my dad was a doctor and I grew up watching him get called into the office all the time growing up).