Send SMS via Facebook Messages

Perayaan terjadi setiap waktu, baik berupa Ulang Tahun maupun Hari Raya Agama seperti Hari Raya Idul Fitri, Hari Raya Idul Adha, Hari Raya Natal, Hari Raya Waisak, Hari Raya Nyepi dan sebagainya. Perayaan tersebut tidak terlepas dari kemeriahan aktifitas masyarakat yang merayakannya. Salah satu kegiatan yang telah membudaya yakni dengan mengirimkan pesan berupa ucapan Selamat Ulang Tahun maupun Selamat Hari Raya kepada rekan-rekan dan keluarga. Terkait dengan pesan Facebook dan Handphone, pada artikel kali ini akan dibahas mengenai pengiriman pesan melalui Facebook kepada pengguna handphone sebagai penerima pesan. Secara tekhnis, dengan memanfaatkan fitur Facebook Messages, selanjutnya pesan dikirimkan kepada Handphone Facebooker yang mencantumkan Nomor Handphone pda Profile Facebook miliknya.

Steps 1
Setelah login ke Facebook, klik menu PESAN pada Left sidebar Halaman Beranda Profile Facebook Anda. Menu tersebut akan membawa kita pada Halaman Messages Inbox. Kirim pesan baru dengan mengeklik tombol Pesan di sudut kanan atas pada halaman Pesan. Dapat pula dengan mengunjungi Profile Teman bersangkutan, kemudian klik tombol Pesan di sudut kanan atas pada Halaman Dinding Profile Facebook Teman Anda.

Selain dapat mengirimkann pesan baru, dapat pula dengan membalas pesan sebelumnya yang telah lama bercokol di Kotak Masuk Pesan. Untuk cara ini, cukup menuliskan Isi Pesan dan mengirimnya karena Penerima telah tercantum lebih awal pada kotak Penerima Pesan.


Steps 2
Centang tombol dengan simbol/berlogo Handphone di bawah kolom Isi Pesan. Pilihan kemudian muncul, apakah ingin tetap mengaktifkan fitur tersebut atau melewatinya dan mengirimkan pesan seperti biasa saja. Dengan mengaktifkan tombol ini, maka pesan tak hanya dikirimkan kepada Facebooker. Pesan yang sama akan dikirimkan juga sebagai SMS kepada Handphone Facebooker bersangkutan.


Steps 3
Setelah Isi pesan diinput dengan benar dan seyakin-yakinnya, kiranya jangan didiamkan saja. Segera kirim pesan dengan mengeklik tombol Kirim Pesan, karena tanpanya pesan tidak bakal terkirim. Bilamana Anda masih ragu dengan pesan bersangkutan, klik tombol Terus Menulis untuk melanjutkan input pesan. Dapat pula dengan segera menonaktifkan/Close halaman Messages Facebook untuk membatalkan/mengakhiri sesi pengiriman pesan.


Steps 4
Perlu dicatat bahwa fitur ini berlaku bilamana sang Facebooker mencantumkan Nomor Handphone VALID alias BENAR alias NOT BOHONGAN. Jadi jangan berharap pesan tersebut akan tiba di Inbox SMS Anda bilamana Nomor Handphone tersebut tidak tercantum pada Profile Facebook milik Anda (check Info Profile).


Berkenaan dengan SMS, pada profile Facebook penting untuk terlebih dahulu mengaktifkan fitur Facebook SMS agar Nomor Handphone yang digunakan teregistrasi oleh Provider layanan SIM Card bersangkutan dan segera terhubung dengan Facebook. Isikan Negara, Operator/Provider Cellular pada kolom isian yang disediakan kemudian klik menu Selanjutnya. Langkah berikutnya, Anda diharuskan melakukan registrasi dengan mengirimkan SMS. Pada tahapan ini, silakan Anda mengikuti langkah demi langkah hingga tuntas yang dituntun oleh Admin Facebook.


Steps 5
Belum tersedia fitur untuk mengirimkan pesan dari Group kepada nomor Handphone setiap Member Group. Dapat dibayangkan jika fitur ini telah tersedia, maka besar kemungkinan Facebooker akan lebih dimanjakan dan dibuat semakin bahagia. Saat Idul Fitri/Idul Adha, Natal, Waisak, Nyepi atau pun Ulang Tahun teman telah tiba, ucapan ke BANYAK penerima dapat dilakukan hanya melalui FACEBOOK Groups.

Tentunya Group yang memiliki banyak MEMBER akan lebih baik dibanding dengan Group yang hanya memiliki sedikit saja MEMBER. Contoh untuk Facebook Groups Ambae.exe dengan member saat ini sebanyak 1.802 Facebooker. Dari 1.802 Facebooker tersebut, kita hitung saja terdapat 500 Facebooker yang mencantumkan Nomor Handphone yang VALID, maka ucapan "Minal Aidin Wal Faidzin" dapat dikirim ke 500 pengguna Handphone dari Facebook Groups "Ambae.exe".

GRATIS pulsa
Biaya kepada pengirm sepenuhnya dibebankan kepada tagihan langganan ISP selama ONLINE berlangsung. Sementara biaya PENERIMA pesan di handphone, seperti biasa BERLAKU aturan main Provider Cellular bersangkutan.

Free calls with GOOGLE

Menelpon makin tren sejak beberapa tahun silam dengan hadirnya ponsel tanpa kabel. Ponsel merambah hingga pelosok pedesaan. Bahkan bagi para pendaki gunung atau lazim disebut pecinta alam, pun dapat menikmati kecanggihan teknologi cellular. Telepon memiliki dua varian secara umum, berupa Telepon Kabel dan Telepon Tanpa Kabel (Mobile Phone). Varian telepon kabel antara lain telepon rumah dan telepon genggam versi rumahan (CDMA Flexi). Varian mobile phone/telepon genggam antara lain telepon genggam tipe GSM, telepon genggam tipe CDMA, telepon satelit, telepon pintar atau smartphone, telepon genggam versi iPhone dan telepon genggam versi BlackBerry.

Di samping kedua varian utama di atas, kini dikenal pula Telepon Internet. Jauh sebelum Google meluncurkan Google Voice dan Google Phone. Yahoo! telah lebih awal mengaplikasikan layanan telepon berbasis layanan internet melalui Yahoo! Messenger yang diklaim teranyar hingga saat ini. Pada postingan kali ini, akan diuraikan sedikit perihal menelepon ala GOOGLE.

Layanan yang terbilang baru dari Google yakni Google Phone. Google Phone dapat dinikmati para Googler dengan memiiki Google Account. Selanjutnya Google Account tersebut diaplikasikan pada layanan Gmail yang didalamnya include Google Voice dan Google Phone. Baiklah sobat Blogger, kita langsung menuju TKP mengingat artikel terkait Google Phone telah dibahas lebih luas oleh rekan Blogger lainnya.

Steps 1
Berbekal Google Account, silakan Login via Google dengan mengunjungi Gmail.


Steps 2
Halaman Inbox Gmail akan segera muncul setelah Login sukses. Layanan Google Phone belum sepenuhnya dapat dirasakan para Googler. Setelah Login, sebagian Googler harus menunggu Google datang berkunjung ke Accont Gmail yang dimiliki. Prinsip ini menjadi kebiasaan Google dalam menerapkan layanannya kepada penggunanya. Seperti halnya ketika Google Wave pertama kali diluncurkan, hanya Google TERUNDANG yang dapat menikmatinya. Sementara yang lain mesti menunggu UNDANGAN GOOGLE atau mendapat undangan dari para WAVER. Sembari menunggu Undangan, jangan lupa mengaktifkan Google Voice.


Steps 3
Bagi Googler yang beruntung, pada tampilan Gmail Inbox akan muncul sebuah Pop up Menu bertitelkan New! Make Phone calls from Gmail. Klik Try it Now untuk memulai.


Steps 4
Selanjutnya klik Accept untuk menyetujui kebijakan yang diberlakukan GOOGLE.


Steps 5
Pop up Google Phone akan terbuka di pojok kanan halaman Gmail, Googler pun siap melakukan panggilan. Saat ini Google memberikan layanan Gratis untuk panggilan keluar dan panggilan masuk pada negara Amerika dan Canada masing-masing selama 2,1 menit senilai $0,10. Bagi sobat PHONER (lagi-lagi istilah bagi pengguna Google Phone) yang telah menimatinya lebih awal dan ingin mengaktifkan kembali layanan ini, klik Menu Call phone di bagian kanan halaman Gmail. Maka Pop up Google Phone muncul seketika. Untuk melakukan panggilan, tersedia sub menu Dialpad yang terdiri dari tombol angka/huruf/simbol, tombol Clear/Delete/Cancel, kolom isian panggilan atau pencarian, tombol negara tujuan panggilan dan tombol Call.


Steps 6
Nomor panggilan dapat diakses dengan mengeklik tombol angka. Di samping itu, dapat pula dengan mempaste angka yang telah dicopy dari tempat lainnya.


Steps 7
Pada Menu Google Phone selain sub menu Dialpad, memuat pula sub menu Calling History dan Calling credit. Calling History memuat daftar/Log panggilan masuk dan panggilan keluar.


Sedangkan Call credit terdiri dari :

a. History
Sama halnya dengan sub menu Calling history, namun kali ini sebuah Tab baru akan terbuka yang memuat daftar lengkap panggilan. Kelola Kontak pada halaman ini dengan menambahkannya atau pun menghapusnya dari Daftar Kontak.


b. Rates
Pada halaman ini, Phoner disuguhkan pada sederet daftar biaya yang dikenakan pada tiap panggilan untuk masing-masing negara tujuan dan provider cellular. Secara keseluruhan tarif pemakaian Google Phone masih dalam Kurs Dollar termasuk Phoner Indonesia.


Berikut Daftar Tarif Google Phone (Dollar mode ON) :




c. Add credit
Account Google Phone dapat diatur pada halaman ini, khususnya pengaturan Bahasa dan Zona Waktu yang diberlakukan. Penambahan kredit senilai $10.00 dimungkinkan dengan mengeklik Add $10 credit.


Steps 8
Tombol lainnya yang cukup jitu antara lain :
- Tombol Redial untuk panggilan ulang
- Tombol End untuk mengakhiri
- Tombol Answer untuk menjawab panggilan masuk
- Tombol Screen untuk menahan/pause panggilan masuk
- Tombol Ignore untuk mengabaikan panggilan masuk
- Tombol/Icon Speaker untuk mengelola suara pada Microfon
- Tombol Dialpad

Tombol Dialpad pada mode panggil berfungsi untuk me-MINIMIZE dan me-MAXIMIZE Tampilan Google Phone. Tombol ini berbeda dengan Tools Minimize, Pop-out dan Close di pojok kanan atas Pop up Google Phone.


Steps 9
Pada tampilan Keypad yang digunakan Google Phone, selain angka juga tercantum alfabet/abjad/huruf dan simbol. Hanya saja, penggunaan huruf dengan fasilitas klik belum memungkinkan, kecuali pada mode PASTE on Search/Dial Column.


Penggunaan abjad saat ini masih belum support, percobaan demi percobaan dilakukan dari keseluruhan layanan ini. Termasuk untuk penggunaan abjad. Dapat dibayangkan bahwa tombol abjad ini kiranya dapat digunakan untuk layanan SMS. Namun, alhasil ERROR dan seketika muncul pesan Please enter a valid number. Rupanya SMS belum memungkinkan, kita tunggu saja inovasi berikutnya dalam pengembangan Google Phone di masa mendatang.

Steps 10
Sebagai tambahan, khususnya bagi sobat Googler yang belum mengaktifkan layanan Google Voice, sebelum menggunakan layanan Google Phone. Penting untuk mengaktifkan terlebih dahulu Google Voice. Sedangkan Google Voice itu sendiri akan aktif bilamana telah terinstal Plugin Google Voice and Video.


Setelah semua langkah di atas komplit, maka sobat Phoner dapat merasakan nikmatnya bercuap-cuap ria via Google Phone.

Cable Cutters is Cheap Alternatives to TV, DSL and Cell Service

I don't like service providers. Cable TV, landline phone and fax, mobile phone, ISP, and even satellite radio companies have so little real competition that they know they don't have to impress me very much to get my business. I either pay the full fees and become connected to them by their cord (physical or wireless), or I don't get any service. Until lately.

Now those companies face new pressure from Web based technologies and services that can offer similar features for far less money, or even for free. Many of these services ride in on the cord owned by the big service provider, relegating said service provider to the job of operating "dumb pipes."

Which TV executive knew just a few years ago that paid and free online services could threaten cable companies? Ditto for the VoIP challenge to landline phones, online fax services replacing another cord, Internet radio being a better value than a satellite subscription, and more.

Here I'll explain the alternatives that can help you walk away from the biggest corded companies that we love to hate. You can pick and choose which are still worth keeping and which to toss. Are you being pressured into buying a service provider's "triple play"? Try three strikes and you're out.

Pay for TV and Movies Instead of Cable Service

The cable and satellite TV model is on life support. Who wants to pay $100 or more a month for an endless well of unwatched shows? Even if you have an appetite for premium channel shows, you can save money by buying some à la carte and watching others free online.

Paid, per show TV sources are all around you. Apple iTunes, Amazon VOD, Zune Marketplace, Blockbuster On Demand, and Jaman store thousands of shows and movies.

All offer various purchase and rental options, often $3 to $4 to rent a movie for a day. Expect to drop about $30 to $40 per season of scripted, premium channel TV (HBO, Showtime, and such), or, often, about $10 less for network shows.

That sounds pricy at first, and it often costs more than buying a physical disc. But total up four or five of those seasons and a handful of movies, and you could pay half as much as cable over the same time period.

If you want to watch video on a portable device, stick with iTunes for iPod and iPhone compatibility; or Zune Marketplace for Zune support. Unfortunately, the other stores don't offer portable media player support. If you have an AppleTV or an Xbox 360, you can at least watch your shows in the living room.

Netflix is a good base service for any cable TV free home. The cheapest subscription for the DVD by mail service is $8.99 each month, but much of the value comes in the thousands of shows and movies you can stream from Netflix to your PC. Plus, Netflix can stream to a TiVo, Xbox 360, PS3, dedicated Roku device, and other hardware, so you can watch in the living room without a media center PC.

Similar streaming services like Amazon, Blockbuster, Jaman, and others can play on much of the same hardware. Check your TV connected hardware against these services' support pages.

I've also got my eye on the upcoming Boxee Box and Sezmi service; both will offer hardware that plays Internet streamed video on a TV. Sezmi, which will be rolling out nationwide this year, even promises local shows and live sports, one of the biggest deficits in online libraries.

Get Free TV And Movies

Hulu is still my king of free TV sites, although it's uncertain if it will or won't change to a paid model. And I've been occasionally frustrated when show episodes or seasons disappear just before I try to watch. But the majority of recent network shows are available. Plus, you'll find movie and TV favorites alongside B level misses.

As I write this, you can watch "Spartacus" and "All the King's Men" alongside the Norm MacDonald vehicle, "Dirty Work."

Check Hulu first, but also scan other sites for free TV and movies. Crackle, Comcast Fancast, and even YouTube have movies and TV content. If you you're looking for a specific show that you still can't find online, visit its Web site or its network site directly.

Live sports can still be elusive. Check the network that's broadcasting the content for a stream; I saw a Monday Night Football game this way last fall. MLB.com hosts live baseball, but you'll have to pay for service. Justin.tv could be your best ace for any sport. While unsanctioned, many users play live streams of their local stations; just click the sports button.

And remember the cheapest, highest quality TV source of all: an antenna. Over the air HD content looks great, often better than video compressed for a cable TV feed. You'll just need a TV with an HD tuner typical for most sets built in the last several years or a PC TV tuner.

Cut Landline Phone And Fax Service

If you have a reliable ISP, a voice over IP (VoIP) phone company can replace a traditional landline. You can place calls through a PC, but you'll have a better experience on a dedicated VoIP handset. The device connects to your network over Wi Fi or wired ethernet to route calls.

Skype deserves its VoIP ubiquity. You'll make free calls to other members or pay about 2 cents per minute to dial out to a real phone. Traditional phones can also call in to you. But several alternatives challenge the Skype giant.

I like the features and versatility of RingCentral. Depending on the package you buy, you'll get a local phone number for incoming calls, an incoming toll free number, and an incoming fax line. Call routing functions make RingCentral excel. Like Google Voice or my1voice, RingCentral can send incoming numbers to any phone. You can have it ring your VoIP handset, a mobile line, a hotel room, a temporary office, or anywhere you happen to be. Or you can have it go straight to voice mail during off hours, if you don't want to be reached.

Most RingCentral plans bundle fax service, or you can just pick that for about $8/month. You'll send and receive faxes through e mail, and cut the cost of a dedicated, traditional fax line. Many other companies sell fax service, too. Check out Mbox, eFax, and MyFax for several options, all priced in a similar range.

Free Yourself From Wireless Phone Service

If you like your current handset or smartphone, you might not be able to change wireless providers. Your device is almost certainly locked to your carrier, and worse, there's a chance that differing network technologies mean you can't move your phone to a different network even if it's unlocked.

AT&T and T Mobile rely on GSM networks; Sprint uses CDMA; and most Verizon handsets use CDMA, but Verizon also offers some dual mode devices that support both network types. An unlocked iPhone is still single mode, so it will never work on a Sprint network, for example. Ask a carrier you're considering how they can enable your old phone.

For GSM devices, including Apple's iPhone, your best option could be unlocking the handset, then swapping in a GSM SIM (subscriber identity module) card from the new provider. Even a prepaid card can work, which drains your account only when you use service.

If you want to completely cut wireless phone service, you could try hopping between Wi Fi hotspots while using a VoIP app. Truphone and Fring work on Android devices, BlackBerrys, iPhones, and even iPod touch media players. (You'll need a headset microphone for any of the players.) It's not the same as real wireless phone service, but it might be enough for some users in some situations.

You can beat text messaging fees by sending texts through an instant messenger app or in e mail. And instead of paying for your carrier's voice mail transcription service, you can substitute SpinVox, PhoneTag, YouMail, or Google Voice.

Revise Your Internet Service

Look for a network without a lock icon to try to gain access.

Did you shop around for your ISP? You might not be getting the best price or service. Check out Broadband Reports for customer reviews. You could find a locally grown alternative to the faceless corporation that you currently use.

You might be able to completely break free from home, wired Internet service. First, walk around your house running inSSIDer. Try to reach a friendly neighbor or café. Or if a neighbor's signal is locked, ask around, and offer to pay part of the fee to join the network and share service.

Wi Fi service subscriptions from T Mobile, Boingo, and others can pay off if you frequent airports and other locations with their coverage. But you're almost as likely to find an open, free network. (To be fair, however, if you need an always on connection wherever you are, nothing beats an EvDO modem stick from Sprint or Verizon.)

Several Web sites map Wi Fi networks, and are good places to check out before you hit the road. Try Jwire, WeFi, and Hotspotr.

If you require an always on connection, you might be better off buying short or long term service from Sprint or Verizon. You can buy a USB plug that connects a single laptop, or a home desktop for that matter. Many mobile phones can also be tethered to a laptop as part of your service plan, sharing the wireless Internet feed. Or opt for a portable router such as the MiFi, and it'll turn its mobile connection into a Wi Fi, Internet bubble. The router will work in your car and could be cheaper than a hotel's Internet service.

Break Out of Satellite Radio's Orbit

Monthly satellite radio service might not be worth what you pay. If your favorite talk show is in an exclusive contract, you could be stuck, but music listeners have alternatives. Try Pandora, Last.fm, and Slacker from a PC or even a smartphone.

Last.fm is free, and the others offer both paid and free versions. All build music programming based on your preferences. If you indicate that you don't like a certain song or musician, they'll adjust your playlist to better match your tastes.

The mobile versions of these services are an especially exciting proposition. They offer the possibility of replacing traditional car radio by streaming music wirelessly to your smartphone in the car. This, of course, is highly dependent on the 3G wireless coverage you're getting as you drive, but that coverage is getting broader and faster all the time. Additionally, Slacker can cache stations to your device so you can play music without any Internet connection. This helps when you're driving across no coverage zones.

Get a Discount, or Cut Ties

Sometimes you just can't cut the cord. In spite of poor service and price gouging, you might need some of these services. For one last alternative, try calling up and asking for a discount. It's worked for me, especially with TV and Internet service.

Arm yourself with details on your current companies' introductory deals and competitors' rates, and ask for a break. If you don't get a good answer, call back, and ask someone else.

Even if you only cut one of these services, you could save a lot. Pay for what you want and only what you use to take back control of your subscriptions.

Vodafone Revs Femto Engine

Vodafone UK stepped up its femtocell efforts in a big way Monday with the launch of a national marketing campaign, new brand, and a dramatically cheaper price for its small home base stations.

Vodafone has quietly offered a femtocell called the Vodafone Access Gateway since July 2009 for a one off cost of £160 (US$261).

Now, though, the operator is ready to make a big noise about the little base stations. The operator revealed today that the new name for its femtocell is the Sure Signal. (A name that's an open invite for criticism should the device not work).

But it's the new price of the Sure Signal femto that will surely raise eyebrows: The operator has slashed the cost of the device to a one off fee of £50 (US$82) or £5 (US$8) per month for 12 months-with monthly price plans of £25 (US$41) or more.

For monthly plans that are less than £25, the Sure Signal costs a one off £120 (US$196) or £5 per month for 24 months.

That price reduction is not the result of a drastic drop in the cost of making femtocells. Rather, Vodafone says it's prepared to deepen its subsidy on the femtos because of the gains it says it gets in customer satisfaction and subscriber acquisition-particularly new customers that defect from other operators.

According to Lee McDougall, senior product marketing manager at Vodafone UK, a "greater level of subsidy is worthwhile." [We'll be] subsidizing heavily and marketing heavily as well," says McDougall. "We're seeing really great benefits and feedback."

He also notes, though, that there has been a "slight reduction" in the femto prices because the operator is "ordering in much bigger volumes now." But McDougall wouldn't disclose how many Vodafone is ordering now, or how much it's paying per femtocell.

For the fledgling femto industry, Vodafone's move in the U.K. is a significant endorsement for the little home base stations.

Boosting the iPhone indoors?
The launch of the Sure Signal conveniently coincides with Vodafone's launch of Apple's iPhone on January 14. But McDougall says that was "coincidental, but timely… just the way things panned out."

So, the femtocell is not just aimed at iPhone users. The primary application for the device is improved 3G coverage at home and in small offices. Check out the video about the Williams family's coverage plight here on Vodafone's site, which gives a good idea of how the operator is marketing the Sure Signal and using it a differentiator.

"Only Vodafone can guarantee the signal in your home," says McDougall.

While Vodafone mainly targets the Sure Signal at consumers, the operator has also launched price plans for small businesses (which do not include value-added tax): A £42.56 (US$70) one off charge or £4.26 (US$7) per month for 12 months for Your Plan for Small Business and Storm price plans of £21.26 (US$35) or more.

Or, for price plans of less than £21.26 (US$35), the Sure Signal costs £102 (US$167) or £4.26 (US$7) per month for 24 months.

Along with the new marketing push, Vodafone has also updated its back office systems for the femto service. Previously, customers had to call Vodafone so that someone could manually register their phone number with the femtocell. Now, that procedure is automated. Customers can log on to their Sure Signal web service portal to add or remove phone numbers, and the changes are made in real time.