Google has unveiled Gmail SMS in Ghana, Nigeria and Kenya enabling users to send and receive emails using the SMS features of their mobile phones
According to Google, Gmail SMS works on even the most basic hand phones, which only support voice and SMS, and is not dependent on mobile Internet connectivity.
Google Emerging Markets product manager Geva Rechav explained, "Gmail SMS automatically forwards your emails as SMS text messages to your phone and you can respond by replying directly to the SMS.
"You can control the emails received by replying with commands such as 'more', 'pause' and 'resume'. A new email sent as an SMS to any email address recipient will be found in the right conversation thread."
Gmail SMS can be activated from the 'Account' tab in Gmail Settings. Users will first have to register their phone with Google to link the email messaging service, the company said. Mail would then be forwarded directly to the phone through SMS.
Gmail SMS is expected to help phone owners expand their communications reach and interact with contacts who are already using email. Farmers or vendors in remote areas could now communicate with clients who rely more on emails to carry out business transactions.
While the service is free from Google's end, users will incur the standard SMS messaging charges.
