I had no idea it was this simple.
Provider Format
Sprint phonenumber@messaging.sprintpcs.com
Verizon phonenumber@vtext.com
T-Mobile phonenumber@tmomail.net
AT&T phonenumber@txt.att.net
AIM +1phonenumber
http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/how-to/4318204
In the US you have to pay for incoming texts?!
Not on most plans, but on a few. Paying for outgoing text is much more common. I was surprised by how easy it is to text people from an email address. With the possibility of automation and abuse being so high I'm surprised people's phones aren't filled with spam.
I'm right there with you, LM. This news kinda came out of nowhere at me, so I'm still processing it...
I gave this a go a year or so back using the email to text instructions for the various UK phone networks and I couldn't get it to work (it used to work a few years ago it would appear). Not sure if the US networks are a bit more lenient though.
it's never worked properly in the UK, mostly because the networks lose the cross billing route if they open up the email to phone portion.
To be honest using SMPP puts you at the heart of the operation is damn simple and very very cheap too - I'd recomend http://www.hslsms.com/