TouchTXT, A Free Text Messaging Alternative

AOL's new AIM application for the iPhone may exceed some of the basic needs of a few iPod touch and iPhone users. That's why AOL has also created touchTXT, a free application that allows users with limited wireless access to send text messages. The best part is this application isn't supported by ads like AIM Free. The AOL team must have felt that there was a large enough group of limited access users to make such an application. TouchTXT doesn't allow users to use the iPhone's data plan, it is a WiFi only application.

"TouchTXT is a purpose built application for customers who want text messaging (SMS and IM) but have a limited access capability (either iPod Touch or iPhone with limited access). We believe that AIM for iPhone is a more complete application for iPhone users who have access to mobile data networks and SMS as well as Wifi and will continue to evolve it as the flagship experience. Rather than leave the others with a partial experience, we created a new experience that should be ‘complete’ in the context of what they have to work with," said AOL's Sr. Vice President of Desktop and Mobile Products.

The application includes a very basic interface. At the bottom of the screen there is simply options for messages, contacts and settings. When you go to write a new message there is a field to input either a phone number or AOL screen name. Users can also use their address book to choose a recipient, and just like AIM, an account can be left active for up to 24 hours so messages can be sent to you while not having the application open. That's pretty much the entire application in a nutshell. TouchTXT doesn't include buddy lists, favorites or location awareness capabilities just to name a few. So instead of having users only utilize part of the AIM application AOL decided to gut it out and include just a few simple features in touchTXT. The application works just as described, but having a buddy list and a few extra features is probably worth the trouble of dealing with ads in AIM Free, at least for most users.

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