iPad users - can you send texts from your iPad to normal mobile numbers?

[TrainersNotHeels]

Is there an app? My friend has a nexus tablet and has downloaded an app which she can text me on my phone with

Really? Which app is that?

I haven't got a clue but would be very interested in learning if there is an app for texting from the iPad.

Come on tech people, please help us!!

My iPad has a message app - I don't remember downloading it, I think it came with it- iPad 3 running iOS 5.2- it has the same icon as the native iphone message one and I can message my iPhone from it.

rusty bear that is i-message - perfect for contacting apple-users, no use for ordinary mobile phones. And actually not that useful when dSIL sent me message on mon saying she was on her way, but i was not on my i-pad cos i was out, so didn't get the message...

There is an app called WhatsApp, currently it costs 69p in the app store. It will allow you to send message to anyone that has one installed on their phone, android or iOS. It requires you to have the person you are contacting listed as a contact on the ipad. It works over 3g / wifi.