SMSify your apps
When we started IMified, we had some ideas for a couple of simple apps that ran over IM. It turned out that compared to developing a web app, sending and receiving instant messages was complicated and required understanding of all sorts of arcane rules and techniques. We wished for an easy way to send and receive instant messages. So we built a service that allowed anyone that can build a web app to plug into IM networks.
Ever since then, one of the most requested features has been SMS support. Heck, we’ve found ourselves wishing there was an easy way to send and receive text messages. Compared to delivering a web app, sending and receiving text messages is complicated and requires understanding of all sorts of arcane rules and techniques.
Hey, that sounds familiar.
Starting today, you don’t need to understand short codes, SMS gateways, routing, DIDs or the silliness that different carriers inject into the whole process. In fact, you don’t even need to write any new code. Your existing IMified app can work over SMS.
Adding SMS to your app couldn’t be simpler. Just log into your account and select your app. Under Network Settings, click the SMS tab. Click activate and we’ll assign you a phone number.
Any text messages that get sent to that number will be delivered to your app just like an instant message. There will be a userkey, a message, and all the goodies you already know and love. Your app’s response will be sent as a return text message to the sender. You can send out text messages by sending to the user’s userkey.
If you want to respond differently to SMS users, you can do so by checking the network field in the message to your bot. Just like we already tell you if the message came from AIM, Jabber, Twitter or any of our other networks, we’ll also tell you if it’s coming via SMS.
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September 11th, 2009 at 8:18 am
There is no such option visible under the network tab. Is it geographical location specific feature?
September 16th, 2009 at 1:26 pm
Kshitij: At this time we’re only providing US numbers. Anyone can use them, but your users will have to send a text message to a US number in order to use it.
We’ve temporarily run out of phone numbers to hand out. As soon as we have more, we’ll post here and to Twitter (http://twitter.com/imified)
October 14th, 2009 at 8:19 pm
Would you consider adding UK numbers? A shared shortcode would be fine
November 7th, 2009 at 4:02 pm
If i send an message to the bot number phone from an phone number under US as the the Morocco or other country the bot send me an reply ?
November 7th, 2009 at 5:51 pm
The service only provides US numbers and works with US carriers currently.
If you want a number in another country and to work with phone carriers outside the US, send us an email to help@imified.com and tell us what country you’re looking for. We’ll get back to you with pricing on getting that set up.
January 9th, 2010 at 1:05 am
Just to clarify, it sounds like you can’t initiate the SMS conversation via a phone #, only contiue it via a userkey.
September 4th, 2010 at 11:52 pm
Can there be an SMS enabled Indian mobile no. for the Indian users of my bot? If that’s not possible, kindly suggest an alternate way.