Google Disables Gmail SMS Text Chat After It Goes Wonky
Google is again having trouble with its SMS text message tool, the experimental feature in the Gmail Chat menu that lets users send text messages from their computers to their contacts' mobile phones. A Google spokesperson told me the Gmail team took the Gmail Labs feature down Wednesday between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. PDT. So, if you had this Gmail Labs feature enabled, when you visit your chat button in Gmail you will no longer see the option for "Send SMS," which lets users type in a contact's mobile phone number and send them a brief, Twitter-like message. Indeed, I just see an invite to chat, or e-mail when I begin typing in a number in the Gmail Chat box. The spokesperson explained:
We had to temporarily disable SMS for chat because it was causing issues for people who had it enabled and we are currently working on reinstating it. Remember that Gmail Labs is a testing ground for experimental features, and that any Lab feature may change, break or disappear at any time. So, it's broke and Google is fixing it... again. So, when can we expect the tool to come back on? The spokesperson told me: "I can't predict exactly when it will be reinstated right now, but I'll let you know when it is." Fair enough. I reported on the feature in October, telling readers what Google told me: that it would roll out to users within days or weeks. A couple days later, the Gmail team found a glitch and had to iron it out. That took some 40 days. Gmail SMS text chat was finally fixed and launched Dec. 10. I've used it on and off since then, but I got a tip that the feature was out again. As Google says, it's a Gmail Labs feature, so hold them accountable, but don't get too mad if things break; that's what Labs are for. The delays and breakdowns show us that A: the tool was really hard to implement and B: it's pretty friggin' fragile. It begs the question: Is it worth it? How much more of this will Google stand before it nixes the feature entirely? Anyway, I'll let you know when Google lets me know it's back on. Thanks to Keith Lyons for the tip. :) |
Comments (26)
I talked to Mr. G about this SMS feature. He conferenced me in with MR. OO and then Mr. GLE came on the line and they all said it should be up and running in a few days.
Posted by Albert | June 26, 2009 12:54 PM
it is a fantastic service, I was panicking that it was gone forever..
hopefully it will be back soon.
Posted by Andrew | June 26, 2009 12:59 PM
It really is an excellent feature, and for people like me who spend *all* workday on my computer it is invaluable not having to dig through my desk for the phone to text someone. Keeping the text-based communications in the same place (email, SMS, chat, etc.) is a great idea. Thanks Google, and good luck getting it working again! ;^)
Posted by James Mac10 | June 26, 2009 1:30 PM
This is one of the greatest features EVER!!! PLEASE BRING IT BACK SOON!!!!!
Posted by Greg G | June 26, 2009 3:06 PM
I could not have said it any Better... this "is" the best google/gmail app, and THANK YOU Google for it. Best of luck resolving the issue(s) and PLEASE don't give up on it :)
Posted by Wayne L | June 26, 2009 4:44 PM
It would make sense that they might be tying this functionality to the same functionality in Google Voice. Currently, using Google Voice, you can send SMS messages using the computer and receive them using the computer... so it is a redundant feature in a sense.
Posted by StareClips.com | June 26, 2009 5:14 PM
Sending SMS manually still works. For example, Verizon is @vtext.com
Posted by Jay | June 26, 2009 9:35 PM
I was so sad to see it gone.
I know that sounds pathetic, but it's the only communication I get with my boyfriend during the day because I don't get cell signal at my house.
I've tried using AIM, yahoo, etc. but gmail is the only one that works.
Gmail FTW!
Posted by Ashleigh | June 29, 2009 6:12 AM
Does anyone know an alternative?
Posted by Brett | June 29, 2009 10:50 AM
@Stareclips: While it makes sense, it also only works if one has a Google Voice account, which they have yet to really open up to the public.
I was thinking that maybe they shut down the gmail sms chat to reclaim all the phone numbers for new Voice users that might be coming on board.
I am at least happy that SMS does work in the phone-to-chat direction. Just a bit bummed it doesn't work the other direction right now.
Posted by jaxun | June 29, 2009 4:56 PM
Oh good! i thought that feature was out, i hope they dont take it away. That is my only way to communicate with a couple of friends. So hopefully it's fixed.
Posted by Angela Lewis | June 30, 2009 12:24 AM
An application developed by Beijing Hesine Technology enable one to send/receive SMS via computer as well
Posted by wendy | June 30, 2009 12:55 AM
Gmail SMS text chat is very useful.
Why they disabled it?
Another cool service is text2land.com service that allow you to send sms mesages to landline phones and reply to them.
Posted by Morgan | June 30, 2009 3:24 AM
So what other options do we have for sending sms ?
Posted by Tee | July 1, 2009 10:16 AM
Thank you for posting about this! I noticed it was gone and didn't know why. I use it almost daily and I hope it returns soon!
Posted by David Parker Brown | July 1, 2009 2:15 PM
Yahoo Messenger has had a chat to SMS feature in it for awhile now. It's quite stable and worth a look.
Posted by gern | July 1, 2009 2:24 PM
Why can Yahoo have this feature running for years now and Mr. G can't keep it up for a half a year straight?
Posted by Matt | July 1, 2009 2:36 PM
For those looking for a temporary alternative, you can send SMS messages through email. Almost every phone provider has this feature. You simply send an email to a specific address. For T-Mobile, you add @tmomail.net to your phone number; if your number was 123-456-7890 then you would send an email to the address 1234567890@tmomail.net. This also works for Sprint, Verizon, etc. To see how to convert your phone number into an email address, see this website: http://www.tech-recipes.com/rx/939/sms_email_cingular_nextel_sprint_tmobile_verizon_virgin/
Posted by Lukas | July 2, 2009 1:24 AM
Any update on when the SMS feature will be back?
It was a great feature to stay in contact with my son during the day.
Posted by Todd Dickinson | July 2, 2009 10:50 AM
Todd:
I contacted Google yesterday. They're still working on it. No timeframe for the fix.
Posted by Clint Boulton
| July 2, 2009 10:54 AM
I'm finding that there's no replacement for the Gmail sms feature. I can email my friends' cell phones, but many of them end up using minutes for email whereas chat was part of their package. Asa result they are not inclined to return communications. I tried adding one of my friends phone numbers through my AIM account and then using Gmail chat, but that person has one of the phone accounts that does not allow them to respond through AIM. I also tried my Yahoo account - again the friend cannot respond. Many of the free tools allow me to send, again no response allowed. That was the beauty of the gmail sms tool - it was a seamless integration of sms and im. If the tool was only causing problems for those who enbled it, then why was it pulled? it was only affecting the people who chose to be affected!!
Posted by JennB | July 9, 2009 7:09 AM
now you can get an account on google voice and that will allow you to do SMS texting
Posted by j | July 10, 2009 1:18 PM
I really hope they bring it back. It was so a useful feature to keep in touch with friends and coworkers
Posted by Gerardo | July 11, 2009 6:54 PM
Of course, starting by at least today, SMS Chat is being rolled back out. Just checked it and used.
Posted by Washii | July 17, 2009 5:22 PM
Thanks, Washii. Blogging it now.
Posted by Clint Boulton
| July 17, 2009 9:57 PM
Hold on there, cowboy! I like and appreciate Chat in my Gmail, helps me keep Gmail as my "gateway" for my busy-crazy day. I have a G-Voice account, too, and between the two windows -- which I keep open from start to finish of my long, long days -- I can quickly and seamlessly conduct several simultaneous dialogues.
So, if we're voting, I vote "Yes!" for keeping Chat on my Gmail.
Posted by NEON_TANGO | September 1, 2009 5:51 PM