Q: I have iMessage but can not text non apple users on my iPad. I have ios 7 and Mt Lion.

That's right.  iPad is not a cell phone, thus it does not send SMS text messages.  iMessage on iPad was designed to communicate with other iDevices. 

iMessage is an integral part of iOS 7.   You can't delete it.  Just don't use it.

Using FaceTime http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4319

Troubleshooting FaceTime http://support.apple.com/kb/TS3367

The Complete Guide to FaceTime + iMessage: Setup, Use, and Troubleshooting

http://tinyurl.com/a7odey8

Troubleshooting FaceTime and iMessage activation

http://support.apple.com/kb/TS4268

iOS: FaceTime is 'Unable to verify email because it is in use'

http://support.apple.com/kb/TS3510

Using FaceTime and iMessage behind a firewall

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4245

iOS: About Messages

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3529

Set up iMessage

http://www.apple.com/ca/ios/messages/

iOS 6 and OS X Mountain Lion: Link your phone number and Apple ID for use with FaceTime and iMessage

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5538

How to Set Up & Use iMessage on iPhone, iPad, & iPod touch with iOS

http://osxdaily.com/2011/10/18/set-up-imessage-on-iphone-ipad-ipod-touch-with-io s-5/

Troubleshooting Messages

http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2755

Troubleshooting iMessage Issues: Some Useful Tips You Should Try

http://www.igeeksblog.com/troubleshooting-imessage-issues/

Setting Up Multiple iOS Devices for iMessage and Facetime

http://macmost.com/setting-up-multiple-ios-devices-for-messages-and-facetime.htm l

FaceTime and iMessage not accepting Apple ID password

http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/articles/comments/facetime-and-imessage-not-acc epting-apple-id-password/

FaceTime, Game Center, Messages: Troubleshooting sign in issues

http://support.apple.com/kb/TS3970

Unable to use FaceTime and iMessage with my apple ID

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4649373?tstart=90

How to Block Someone on FaceTime

http://www.ehow.com/how_10033185_block-someone-facetime.html

My Facetime Doesn't Ring

https://discussions.apple.com/message/19087457

Send an iMessage as a Text Message Instead with a Quick Tap & Hold

http://osxdaily.com/2012/11/18/send-imessage-as-text-message/

To send messages to non-Apple devices, check out the TextFree app https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/text-free-textfree-sms-real/id399355755?mt=8

How to Send SMS from iPad

http://www.iskysoft.com/apple-ipad/send-sms-from-ipad.html

You can check the status of the FaceTime/iMessage servers at this link.

http://www.apple.com/support/systemstatus/

 Cheers, Tom

If an iPad is on 3G, and gets service through a cellular carrier, shouldn't it text non iPhone users all the same? Especially if you have to pay a monthly service fee per device on your cellular network, and it's using cellular data?

(I don't have an iPad, so I'm not that familiar with that feature. But I wouldn't think if it's on a cellular network, it would be able to do it just like a cellphone).

No.

iPads connect to the data channel only.

SMS uses the voice channel.

Ahhhh, my bad.

just one more reason why I don't like my ipad. If apple can enable text communication between the iPad and iPhone, you would think they could do the same with other smart phones - if they wanted to. The majority of my texting contacts are android users - this really *****.

Based on every person I've talked to, it's because since iOS7, SMS is turned off by default. That was not normal for previous versions. Rumor has it they're turning it off by default to get people to switch to iPhones.
," the problem is fixed.

Once you turn SMS on, or turn on the "Force sms if mms isn't available," the problem is fixed.

I find it odd that droids use MMS for Gchat/Hangouts, but they aren't compatible with iMessage.  Isn't it time we stop dealing with proprietary formats or fake compatibility issues?

My i pad 'settings' under 'messaging' do not permit me to 'enable' sms for texting non iphone users. Is there another way around this limitation?

Get a app that allows texting to SMS phones.

Thanks - is there one your familiar with?

Unfortunately no. Enter sms text or text messages in the search field of the App Store and find one that meets your needs.

Every person you talked to doesn't know what they are talking about. I had the iPad 1, long before iOS 7, and it did not do SMS as, which has already been pointed out, doesn't have cell voice capability.

Verizon has released their own service and TextFree is a possible app to use.