Would Google Pay My SMS Bill?

by Sam on November 14, 2008

Would Google Pay My SMS Bill?

I was thinking this morning how much I’d like to have all my text messages forwarded into the cloud, storing these conversations and allowing me to search against them much like Gmail does with email messages.

It also got me thinking that if Google picked up my tab for SMS ($5/mth) I’d gladly allow them to do what they wanted with the data and/or serve me ads.

I’d imagine that the social graph information in text messages is extremely valuable, especially since text messages are often at the top of people’s hierarchy for communications importance and tend to be very much real-time.

Does anyone already have such a service? The only thing I found on a very quick pass was an iPhone app called TreasureMyText.

Additional Thoughts?

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  • http://zviband.com Zvi Band

    Doubtful. I think we're all waiting for SMS to die.

  • http://www.leveragingideas.com Sam Huleatt

    Really? I send my most important info by text

  • http://xlgroupblog.com/tag/roger-hamilton Roger Hamilton

    I don't think SMS will die. If SMS dies, what will take over? E-mail?

  • http://www.leveragingideas.com Sam Huleatt

    I think Zvi is referring to the fact that on an iPhone say, the difference between SMS and email is negligible…they arrive in roughly the same manner, at the same time, with the difference being email is easier to read and has more options.

    Still, I don't see SMS going anywhere even with Twitter, Jaiku or any of the other incumbents

  • http://zviband.com Zvi Band

    To clarify, yes, I believe that, as smartphones become more widespread, a device-independent communication system, be it Twitter, E-mail, Facebook, or something of the sort, will replace SMS as a way to contact a person, regardless of what type of device they may be near. I already use Twitter for this, and SMS is just a delivery method for that.

    Plus, SMS really needs to just be a built in part of wireless carrier plans.

  • http://www.psychicguild.com Psychic

    Nice. I haven't heard this scheme yet until now. I might try this for my phone. Thanks for sharing the info.

  • http://www.treasuremytext.com Katie Lips

    Treasuremytext is also a web app (with an iPhone app enabling OTA backup for iPhone users). The web app however works on any phone, on any network, anywhere where in the world. It currently works manually – so you forward just the messages you want to keep by SMS to one of the standard rate numbers. When you login you get all your messages in a web interface where you can do more with them – publish or forward, or get a copy sent to you by email even. (I work there by the way).

    One thing we've noticed is the increasing trend in people wanting to archive mobile data – and yes SMS social graph data is potentially very valuable – although what people save on Treasuremytext is a collection of messages written by their friends and lovers (not the user themselves). This is essentially more interesting to an aggregator (such as Google as you righty point out).

  • http://www.leveragingideas.com Sam Huleatt

    Hey Katie…Thanks for your response!

    Is treasuemytext a funded company? Do you have plans to expand to texts sent by users themselves?

  • http://www.ascendtraining.com/workshops/adobe-flex-training.php Adobe Flex Training

    That would be a great feature for someone to come up with and perfect. I love how easy it is to find old emails and conversations in my gmail account and it would be even more valuable with texting.

  • http://www.leveragingideas.com Sam Huleatt

    Agreed! Let's build it

  • http://xlgroupblog.com/tag/roger-hamilton Roger Hamilton

    Oh sorry! Guessed I didn't catch it properly.

    If that's the case, I also agree with you. SMS is just an extra topping. E-mails are a much better in terms of readability and functionality. However if you don't have internet access, SMS is still the winner.

  • Eric_W

    does Google also can pay my phone bill??

    Thanks,
    Casino Bonus

  • http://www.technologynews.co.in/ Technology News

    Google Relaunched SMS Service in India

  • http://www.technologynews.co.in/ Technology News

    Google Relaunched SMS Service in India

  • jenilynnanderson

    I haven't tried this but i don't think this will work, if anyone has really tried it and has worked then show us all the video tutorial that what to do to activate it. europe cruises

  • alcinasalls

    I will check out this application and let you know that what is the worth of it, if it really provides free sms then also we will have to pay the charges of the mobile Internet.
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