IPAD AIR and text messaging.

[melmac]

Ok, A friend of mine has bought a new Ipad air that you can insert a sim into.

But, you can't make calls or send or receive texts. Of course he came to me after he bought it wondering was it broke. He was a bit disappointed when I told him that the sim in the Ipad was data only.

He asked me was there good apps for sending texts. He has a number on the sim that he would like to keep and would like, if possible that the text comes from that number.

I don't use any apple products myself, so am not really sure which App would be best for him to use. I did a quick look and found mention of one app that let you send texts using your providers free webtexts. It seemed like a great app, but, I couldn't find it anywhere and found out that it's not available anymore.

The other apps that I have found all seem to be for the American market. They have everything he needs and would be perfect, if he was sending texts to Canada or USA

Can anyone tell me if what the guy is looking for is impossible or not? Or can you recommend some apps that you use for texting on the ipad? Preferably an app that doesn't require the other person to have the same app installed.

 

[melmac]

Did your mate really fork out hundreds of pounds for a cellular iPad Air and not do *any* research into what the cellular bit is for?

He isn't really very technical, but loves gadgets. And it was my fault really, he came to me looking for an tablet that you can put a sim into. He wanted an ipad most since he has an iPhone. I presumed he was just looking for a sim version to have access for data when not in range of any wifi. And before you ask, he didn't want tethering either.

It wasn't until the Ipad arrived and he started using it that I realised he wanted texts as well.

I know you can't send SMS messages from the ipad, but, there are apps available that get around that, but they only work for USA/Canadian numbers, not free for other numbers. That's why I asked here, to see was there anything that worked for British and Irish numbers for free.