In addition to streaming audio live, Voxer also allows you to send picture (and text, which you mentioned) messages.
Voxer is relatively a new service, so you will have to convince some of your friends to join you. If you signup through Facebook you will be connected automatically with all of your Facebook friends who have Voxer and the signup is extremely simple. I'm not objective, but I definitely think that Voxer worth convincing your friends to give it a try.