October 24, 2014

Use a Raspberry Pi to display incoming SMS text messages

Thanks to the ease of connecting a large (or small) display to a Raspberry Pi - it can be used to display all sorts of data and look great on the largest of monitors or HDMI-capable televisions. This feature really benefits the following project by Vamsi Krishna, who demonstrates how to connect a SIM900-style GSM module to a Raspberry Pi - and display inbound SMSs.

This would be neat for parties, tracking status data from various GSM-equipped devices or just a neat way for groups of people to read messages if required. The particular GSM module used has a RS232 serial port, so connection with the Pi is with a simple RS-232 to USB cable. Then it's easy for the python software to communicate via serial text (to send AT commands for the GSM module) and so on.

For complete details for this interesting project, visit Vamsi's instructable page. And for more, we're on facebookGoogle+, and twitter - so follow us for news and product updates as well.

If you need to rig up some hardware interfacing to your Pi, it would fit nicely on our PiBreak board. It provides labelled breakout pins for all GPIOs, a large prototyping area with solder pads, and power rails for easy power connection:

Furthermore the PiBreak also includes mounting hardware to firmly attach it to your Raspberry Pi using a nut, bolt, and spacer - and is compatible with all revisions of both model A and B Raspberry Pi computers. For more information about our PiBreak board, our Getting Started guide, and to order - visit the product page.

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