Free SMS service by Google via Google Chat

Google has launched its free SMS service in India and other countries using which users can send SMS to people who are in their contact list for free. Google has reported saying that it will not charge for SMS but initially users will be provided with 50 free SMSes. Google would decrease this count by one everytime you send a SMS but the good thing is that when a user responds to text message, the count increases by 5.

If SMS count becomes 0(zero), it would ideally reset within 24hours or the user can buy the credit by paying for the service.

This service went live in India and other 51 countries on October 10th. Google has also provided service where-in the user can block receiving messages sent from Google SMS chat.

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TRAI limits 100 SMS per user per day

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has made a few rules that is going to effect the SMS texters in India. Announced in Times of India, from september 27th onwards, users will not be able to send more than hundred messages per day. Even if users are subscribed to special SMS packages which gives loads of free messages, the package will not be valid after September 27th and users will have to pay for it. This rule also reduces those hundreds of messages that you get from Telemarketers.

Popular websites like way2sms, 160by2 are going to be affected too with the new rules.

• You will not be able to use these services between 9PM to 9AM.


• You will not be able to send messages to people who are subscribed to DO NOT DISTURB Registry.


• You will not be allowed to send messages with your mobile number as sender.

Seems to be a total spoiler to lot of telemarketers and extensive SMS users. People will probably end up calling their friends rather sending messages.

What is your feedback on this?

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Post to Google+ through SMS now - Only for Indian users

Google has a soft corner for the people in India. Or probably they have managed to understand the importance of mobile market in India. Because Google, in its Google+ has provided the functionality for Indian users (only) to update their Google+ status through their cell phones. This feature was already in facebook and looks like Google is on a spree to beat the facebook and grab some Indian population.

Enabling SMS Updates

To enable SMS way of updating the Google+ status, you need to do the following -

You need to first add your number to the Google+ settings. So go to your google plus settings page. Once you enter your phone number, then you will have the usual process of confirmation through a verification code sent to your mobile. Once your phone is verified, select the SMS radio button and you're done. The updates can be posted from your registered number by sending your update to +91 9222222222

Sharing Options

By default the update will be shared with all the circles but you do have some options to change the default. You have to append these tags likewise.

@[circle name]
To share with a specific circle, append your post with @[circle name].
For example: "Will see you at the game @soccerfolks".



@extended
To share with everyone in your extended circles, append your post with @extended.
For example: "Any SF restaurant recommendations? @extended".

@public
To share your post publicly, append your post with @public.
For example: “Any SF restaurant recommendations? @public”.

Public posts could be found in search.

@[email address]
To share your post with a specific person, append your post with @[email address].
For example, "In SF for the week @jazzguitar9@gmail.com" will be visible to jazzguitar9@gmail.com.

Security PIN

Google has always been cautious on security issues and hence you are allowed to add an optional security layer of entering PIN. If you set up a PIN, include the  SMS posts and commands with the PIN. For example: "A1B2C3 Will see you at the game @soccerfolks."

SMS Notifications

You can also receive notifications on your phone through SMS by just checking the boxes that best suit you. This is also available in the settings page. Here's the snapshot -

This is how you enable Google+ SMS on your account.

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