Pinger Rolls Out In 20 Countries

Texting is incredibly popular, but it can be a pain. There’s never enough room to say all you need. But what’s the quick alternative? Pinger came up with an answer in 2006, offering a free voice messaging service in the US.   It’s proved so popular that the company is nowexpanding the service to a total of 20 countries, Vnunet reports. Users call a local number, give the number or numbers to which the message is to be sent, and can then leave a voicemail of up tofive minutes in length.   The recipients receive a text telling them they have a Pinger message waiting, with a local number to call where they can retrieve it. Apart from the calls, the messageis free, and can be used internationally.   "Even people who love SMS get frustrated with the small amount of characters per text and the limitations that come from not being able simply touse your voice. You can’t sing Happy Birthday in a text message," Joe Sipher, co-founder of Pinger, told Vnunet."Just as powerful, Pinger provides the ability to send a single voice messageto groups around the world or in your home town."   From its US launch, the service has proved especially popular with women. The American version also has a website where users can managecontacts and messages, and it’s expected this will also become available in other countries.   Although the service is currently free, Pinger says it might start charging heavy users, andit may also begin carrying revenue-generating ads on its text notifications.