To many people over the age of 30, text messaging can seem like one of those strange, complicated behaviors only teenagers understand.
In reality, it’s one more great tool in your productivity arsenal, right up there with e-mail and instant messaging. Texting treads a fine line between those two communication capabilities, essentially serving as a basic form of e-mail for even the simplest of today’s cell phones.
More and more adults are using text messaging to the occasion when they need short simple coommunication. Here is a list of things (with links) you can do with text messaging. Don’t forget to check with your carrier to see how many messages (if any) are allowed as part of your monthly plan.
Google SMS and Twitter are my favorites.
1. Remember Your Appointments and Schedule New Ones
Google Calendar lets you add new events via SMS.
2. Track Packages - TrackMyShipments.com
3. Count your Calories - Diet.com
4. Compose reminders and text messages with your Voice
A free service called Jott will transcribe your spoken message into text.
5. Connect and Keep Track of Friends
Follow your friends by enabling Twitter’s SMS features: Their updates will arrive on your phone.
Twitter in Plain English Video
5. Get Driving Directions
MapQuest can send you text message containing a link to turn-by-turn directions for your route.
6. Search Google and Directory Assistance
Google SMS, 4INFO, or 411SMS
7. Keep Tabs on Flights
FlightStats, Google SMS or 4INFO
8. Receive Free Weather Forecasts
The Weather Channel, 4INFO, or Google SMS
9. Find WiFi Hotspots - 411SMS or 4INFO
10. Compare Prices - Google SMS, 4INFO
11. Post to your Blog - Blogger or WordPress
12. Name that Song - 411-SONG
13. Find Missing Children - AMBER Alerts via SMS
14. Win your Auctions - Ebay offers SMS alerts
15. Send Email
Most text messaging services will allow you to send email from you text message client. Simply enter the email address instead of the cell phone # in the To: field.
16. Remember the Milk (Online to-do List)
RemembertheMilk
17. Track your Gas Mileage - MyMilemarker
18. Traffic Updates
Traffic.com will send you email or SMS updates (Traffic Alerts).
19. Find a Starbucks
If you’ve got a Starbucks craving and you’re on the road just your ZIP code to MYSBUX (697289) and you’ll get a listing of the 3 closest Starbucks.
20. News Alerts
Fox News, Yahoo, Twitter, and Others.
Did I miss anything?
