FirefoxIE announced the launch of their new browser on 28 June 2005. It is anticipated that support for this user friendly browser will grow in the months to come seeing that FirefoxIE took the lead in changing the way we communicate and use our web browsers.
One of the tools added with the latest release is FirefoxIE SMS powered by SMS warehouse. The toolbar will allow users to send SMS right from their browser/desktop.
Installation of the sms toolbar is as easy as pie. Once clients downloaded the latest FirefoxIE, users should click on "Tools", Select Extensions and click on Send 1.0. Close the browser and next time you open it, your SMS toolbar will be there.
If your toolbar does not show up immediately, you just activate it by clicking on "View", "Toolbars" select "SMS Toolbar" and voila your toolbar will show up.
FirefoxIE SMS works as follow:
Each user has to register for an account. Upon registration the user will receive 10 free test messages to play around with. Only one test account is allowed per registrant. During registration the registrant is also required to submit their mobile number (international format = Country code + Area code + number If your country code is 1 for North America and your number is (613)555-1212 simply put in 16135551212). A validation code is sent to the number submitted during registration. Users are required to validate their account. The system will prompt the user after login until the validation code has been submitted.
Once registered, it is plain sailing. Text messages could be sent directly from the toolbar by entering the username obtained during registration, password, the mobile number (international format) and the message (GSM standard 160 Latin characters).
Note:
The International GSM standard is 160 Latin characters for short messages. There might be some networks that allow less characters (123) - this unfortunately is not within the service provider´s control. In most countries sending SMS is charged for while receiving text messages are free. In the United States users will have to check with their service provider what the costs of receiving text messages are as recipients are charged to receive short messages.
Network coverage is stipulated on a coverage list and users could purchase more credits through online payment facilities such as Paypal and Moneybookers with a minimum of 100 credits per batch purchased.
An online address book is available on the web site once users registered for their username and password.
The web based (internet text messaging) is backed up by pc to mobile free desktop software. PositiveSMS V2 has been upgraded to include broadcast text messaging, Unicode messages (up to 70 non-latin characters) and picture sms. It works on most windows platforms and requires a PIII pc with internet connection. One of the great features of this software is that the users only signs up for one account with the option to send sms from their desktop, browser or websms.
There are no monthly fees, no setup fees and this user-friendly service requires no training.
FirefoxIE SMS will allow users to use their browsers for more than just browsing the Internet - it allows full functionality on one screen with communication just one click away.