A Pinger product called “Textfree Unlimited” is looking to be a disruptive influence in carrier networks. The features sound like its name. Free messaging is done over a 3G connection, replacing the venerable text message that has made billions for the cell carriers of the world.
Pinger is a busy company with more than just texting on their mind. Nevertheless, their “Textfree Unlimited” product is taking the wind out of the sales of cell carriers. They allow a quick download of their product to give users free text messaging. Pinger started this service on the iPhone but now have it for Android devices. The result ? Android users are flocking to the program just as fast as the iPhone crowd did. For a window into just how many people are using Textfree, the statistics say that Android users are sending 5.5 million messages a day over the Pinger network. The growth is doubling monthly in key aspects. Twice as many users as well as twice as many messages are sent every month. This makes Pinger a carrier themselves of sorts and as such they are in the top ten carriers in the United States.
The Pinger Textfree app ( application ) is unique from other programs. Users get to choose and use their own real United States telephone number. This allows users to send text messages to anyone, including those who do not have Textfree installed on their smartphone. International use is available as well as a new service for international users that is not released yet. International use is limited to 18 countries at the moment. Picture messages are included the same as plain text messages.
The free and unlimited text service is available in the browser of a mobile or static computer. Users do not need a mobile phone to enjoy it. Anyone with a computer and a browser that supports flash can sign up and begin to send text and picture messages. Those who use the Textfree program without a browser have some fees if they want to cut out the ads on their app. It is a small price to pay; $5.99 a year for the iProduct version.
If you can see some similarities between Pinger’s Textfree and Skype, you would be right on the money. They both service the same market. Pinger is also allowing voice calling, just like Skype has been doing, so now people have a choice in VOIP calling. Look for the new international announcement soon from Pinger.
