Sending texts on an iPhone is a simple task, but anyone using an iPod Touch or iPad doesn’t have it so easy. One of the most popular free solutions for Apple users without texting plans are the TextPlus apps from developer GOGII, which has taken its offerings a step further with the new TextPlus 4 Pics Edition + Face Text.
TextPlus 4 Pics gives users the same free, unlimited texting functionality as the other TextPlus apps, with the addition of picture messaging for free account holders. After choosing a TextPlus user name, you’ll be able to search your contacts for other TextPlus users. Don’t know anyone on the service? That’s okay. You can send messages to friends via their regular phone number. Through Pics you can send saved camera roll images or use Face Text, which uses the front camera to take a photo of you as you text. Your texts are sent through a TextPlus phone number, but the recipient will see your provided name, user name, your message and a link to your attached image.
Your friends can respond to the text like a normal message, however, after sending, they will get another message from TextPlus that confirms a message has been sent. That could get annoying for others, so be careful. Their response will be sent to you instantly via push, or you can choose to provide TextPlus with your phone number for real SMS messaging (rates apply).
In the TextPlus app, you’ll be able to keep track of conversations, send messages to multiple people at once, or even start your own publicly searchable photo community. Through communities, you can trade images about a specific topic with strangers, or create private rooms for small groups of friends.
Because TextPlus 4 Pics is free and there’s no limit to the amount of messages you can send, the app is heavily subsidized with ads, both in banner and full-screen format, but that’s only a small inconvenience.
