Text Messaging

Text messaging is all the rage.It’s an easy,fast,simple way to send a blurb to someone (provided that he has a mobile phone too) without interrupting him with a phone call.Just don’t try to do it while driving.Not only is it dangerous,it’s illegal in some states.Don’t do it in a movie theater,either;that glowing screen is really annoying.

Sending a Text Message

To send a text message,follow these steps:

1. From the Home screen,open the Application tab.

2. Open the Messaging application by tapping the icon.If you can’t see the icon,touch the screen and drag up (or down) until you see it.

3. Tap New message,and slide open the keyboard (if needed).

4. In the To box of the compose form,type the phone number of the person you want to send a message to.Keep in mind that some people have to pay for inbound messages, so you probably don’t want to text someone without making sure it’s okay first.

5. Tap the Type to compose,press Enter to send field,and type the message you’d like to send.You need to keep it short—text messages are limited to 160 characters.

6. When you’re ready to send your message,you can press the Enter key,or touch the Send button on the screen.

Configuring Text Messaging Alert Settings

Great! You’ve sent a text message.You could stare at your phone,waiting for the person to text you back,or you could configure your other messaging settings.

To configure text messaging alert settings,follow these steps:

1. Open Settings,either through the Application tab or by pressing the Menu button while on the Home screen.

2. Tap sound & display,and then tap Notification ringtone.

3. Choose the ringtone you’d like to use.Tapping each ringtone will play it so that you can hear it before you decide.

In addition to playing your chosen ringtone,when you receive a new text message,you’ll also see the new message notification on the Notification bar.

Viewing a Received Message

If your friends and family text you back,you need to know how to view received messages. There are a few different ways to see a message you’ve received.

If you’re still looking at the screen where you sent the message,you just see the message right there.

If you’re looking at the home screen (or your phone is in your pocket and you pull it out when you hear the notification sound),look at the Notification bar at the top of the screen.Tap the Notification bar and drag your finger down to display your notifications. Tap the notification for the text message to read the message.