A programmable electronic device includes a processor, a cellular transceiver module and a command interpreter module. The cellular transceiver module can be executable by the processor. The command interpreter module is in communication with the cellular transceiver module and is executable by the processor. The command interpreter module is configured to transmit and receive text messages via the cellular transceiver module. The command interpreter module is further configured to program and configure operation of the programmable electronic device from commands and content identified by the command interpreter module in the text messages. The text messages may be unstructured.