receive text messages w/o phones?

[robphelan]

many years ago right when pagers were going the way of the dinos, I bought a wristwatch that was capable of receiving text messages (plan needed of course) for my nephew.

His dad could send him notes like "i'll pick you up by the gym" etc...

does anything like that exist now without going full-blown cellphone?

my kids aren't old enough for a cell phone, but I thought it would be great if I could shoot an "i love you" message to them during the day.

edit: we're about 3 miles from the school and i'm sure they wouldn't allow the device on wifi. So, it would have to piggyback on some sort of data network.

 

[JTsyo]

Something like Zipit? Only receives SMS on WiFi though. hmm maybe they can have a smartphone for a hotspot :whiste:

 

[lxskllr]

Teach them how to crack wifi networks. It's a valuable skill ;^)

If you're willing to go wifi, you could use a "feature"(?) mp3 player that has net access. Alternatively, you could use a phone without a plan, and use it as a small computer on wifi.

 

[robphelan]

i suppose they could use a tablet that has a low-data plan.

 

[vi edit]

ipods + imessage

edit...missed the edit about no wifi access....

 

[Wyndru]

You could check out http://www.freedompop.com/

Supposedly it enables free 4g coverage for certain devices, like the ipod touch.

Not sure if it's any good though, I don't have it.

 

[acheron]

Pretty sure you can still get pagers if you really want; I know people who work in sensitive areas who use them. Probably not quite what you're looking for though.

 

[Ns1]

ipad mini w/ LTE + iMessage

what could be more necessary?

 

[robphelan]

i was looking for something small and inconspicous like a pager - I don't want them whipping out a tablet in the middle of class - that's why the pager watch was great - unobtrusive.

 

[blackangst1]

Why not use YM?