Text messaging commercials are everywhere. Cellular services want you to believe that sending messages during concerts, meetings, or just sitting around your living room is fun and easy -- and you shouldn't worry if the process seems slow, you'll get faster as you send more messages. Today Cat explores the reality of using the technology and shows you how to send text messages from your PC to a cellphone over the Internet.
Most cellphones have SMS (short message service) technology built in -- allowing you to send and receive short text messages. But typing a message using your cellphone's numeric keypad takes some time and is often limited to 88 to 160 characters per message. (A character is letter, number, space, or punctuation mark.)
On the up side, SMS is great for delivering tidbits of information in a short period of time. Text messages are also easier to read than a numeric message (other than a phone number) on a pager.
Send/receive messages
To send a message:
- Access Messaging on your phone's menu and choose Text Messaging.
- Choose New Message.
- Search your phone book or type in the phone number of the message recipient. Separate multiple numbers with a comma.
- Type a short message. Your phone will usually tell you how many characters you type.
- Send your message.
When someone sends you a message, your phone will alert you and will usually display a mail envelope on your screen.
Use your keyboard
If you need to get in touch with someone, but you don't have your phone handy, send a message online. It's fast, simple, and free (for you, at least). Here are sites for a few major cellular providers.
Several other online services let you send free text messages. Find a list at
TextMeFree.com. You can send within the United States, UK, the rest of Europe, or search for worldwide services.
Cost
Most companies charge 2 cents for every message received and 10 cents for every message sent, but the cost of a text messaging service may already be included in your calling plan. Be sure to read the fine print.
Some service providers, such as Verizon Wireless, offer unlimited messaging for as low as $2.99 a month. Check with your carrier for details and pricing.
Be careful to look for the price of text messaging, and not wireless Web services such as AOL instant messenger or WAP (wireless application protocols) services that let you surf on your cellphone.
