I decided to add some Gmail Labs features after reading about the new Calendar and Docs gadgets [Gmail Blog], and I noticed that G-Labs is now offering web-based SMS. I have used some free messaging software on the web (no SMS plan), but I was turned off by the ads and lack of security they seemed to permeate. Now when I select someone to chat, I get a “Switch to SMS” which pulls the mobile numbers from My Contacts or asks you to enter numbers, which gets saved to My Contacts. Pretty neat.

My only issue is the “(name) may be charged for an SMS by their mobile carrier each time you hit enter” message that appears above the chatbox. If you have a texting plan, you should be able to send/receive messages via Gmail Chat within your limits. If not, the rate seems to be between 10-15 cents per message. I don’t need to be told that everytime, but Google has that responsibility.

Out of curiosity, I went ahead and sent myself a text message (shown right). I got two messages sent back, as I expected. The first one was:

FWD: (email) sent you an SMS from Gmail. You can send a reply to this msg, or send STOP to opt out, HELP for more info.

The second one read:

FWD: Gmail – (email): Steven, you are…

An interesting thing is that it didn’t come from some foreign 20-digit number or a 5-digit shortcode [wiki] but from the 406 area code, which happens to be Montana. I doubt that this number is permanently related to my Gmail account, but who knows what the future will bring. The future has told me two things: 406 spells “G0O” and that my 406 number is permanent. Here is news from the Gmail blog.

If you do not see this option yet, Gmail tends to roll out Labs features to groups at a time. Make sure your “Gmail display language” is set to “English (US)” in Settings. This feature is only available for phones in the US, but everyone can send texts to US phones.

iPhone users: Get Google talk here and enjoy G-Chat.
Android users: I’m jealous.

11/3/08 Update: The Gmail Blog posted Friday that there were some glitches in the SMS messaging feature, so they have decided to pull the service for about two weeks. I know that I did not receive the the response sent to my 406 number and perhaps these bugs are to blame.

12/11/08 Update: The feature has rolled back out and this post has been edited. Thanks, Google!