Messaging types and uses

Wireless phones are designed for talking, but sometimes a phone conversation isn't practical or even necessary. You may be in a public place or a meeting, or the person you want to contact may be unavailable. For this reason, text messaging is a great alternative to a call. You simply type in your message and hit send. Sending a simple text message, however, is just the beginning. Swiftly evolving technology now allows the transmission of images, files and even multimedia content over your wireless phone.

In order to take advantage of the different messaging types available to you, you must first purchase a phone that is capable of sending and receiving text messages. Before doing so, you should think about which kind of text programs will fit your lifestyle, needs and budget. RadioShack features a large selection of phones, so be sure to ask an associate at your local RadioShack or carefully look at the specifications of each model online before you make your decision.

SMS, EMS, MMS and SMIL texting

SMS, or Short Message Service, is the capability that allows you to send and receive short text messages. SMS messages are most often limited to 160 characters, though these limitations can vary depending on the phone, the carrier and the wireless network. It is possible to create longer SMS messages, which when sent are broken up and transmitted as a number of separate messages to the receiving phone.

With EMS, or Enhanced Messaging Service, that capability is increased by the ability to transmit pictures, animated images and more from phone to phone or phone to computer. MMS, or Multimedia Messaging Service, allows you to send and receive photos, music, short videos and other types of files. In order to use this service, many carriers require that you subscribe to wireless Web access. SMIL, or Synchronized Multimedia Integration, allows users to create and send short multimedia presentations, or slideshows, involving text, graphics and streaming audio.

Getting the most out of text messaging and your phone

In addition to the obvious use of text messaging to send messages to family, friends and colleagues, you can do all the things you do with the e-mail program you use on your home computer. You can block messages, subscribe to e-mail lists, set up your own distribution lists or groups, create spam controls and maintain an address book. You can also set up a calendar that will remind you of important appointments, birthdays or anniversaries.

Text alerts are another valuable function of text messaging. You can subscribe to literally hundreds of different text alert services that can keep you in touch with the latest information via text messages. You can get up-to-date weather, news, stock quotes and sports scores, find out your horoscope, get jokes, puzzles, trivia and riddles, and even enter competitions. Keep in mind that some of these services may require an additional fee, so make sure you're aware of the costs before subscribing. You can also use messaging services to order ringtones and wallpaper to customize your phone. In a short time, your wireless phone will be an extension of your life. You'll wonder how you ever lived without it!

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