Im trying to figure out text messaging on the phone

[PaulaSue]

Can anyone do it with a cell phone? Can anyone recieve them? do you have to sign-up/pay extra for the service. We have cingular if that makes a difference.

I want to go to the mall and ask but the girls are always with me and you know how well I can pay attention with girls in a mall wanting to shop

TIA, sorry for the question but I will never learn if I don't admit I have no clue.

 

[Loubon]

This should help you: http://www.cingular.com/media/text_messaging

 

[Martha7]

I have Cingular too, and I think as long as your phone is fairly recent, you should be able to do it, although on my plan, it costs me ten cents to receive or send a message, I believe. I have a Motorola flip phone. I click on the menu button, then on the icon that looks like an envelope, this brings up "Messages". I hit select, and then I have a list of options. I click on "Create Messag", then choose "New Text M". Then you type in your message by pushing the key that corresponds to the letter you want. When you're done, on my phone, you select "Insert". Then you choose "One Time Entry", then you type in the phone number you're sending it to, hit "OK", and then "Sen". It's really easy! Good luck! You can also pay for unlimited texting, but it's something like $19.99 per month. It'll tell you on your phone bill.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I think most phones are capable today. And most carriers charge 10 cents to send, no charge to receive. I know Natalie uses hers a lot, I send her a couple a month, best way to get in touch with her. Marie started using it to get in touch with her and uses it a lot, so I bought a package for her, 100 messages for $3.95, she usually does about 80 or so.

 

[disnygoof]

I think most phones are capable today. And most carriers charge 10 cents to send, no charge to receive.

This is incorrect. I work for a major carrier and most major carriers charge 10 cents to send AND receive. Also 25 cents for pix/flix messaging. If you have Verizon Wireless, you can pay $5/month for unlimited pix/flix and text messaging to VZW subscribers. I know Cingular doesn't have that.

 

[Shadeaux]

I think most phones are capable today. And most carriers charge 10 cents to send, no charge to receive.

I don't know about other carriers, but Cingular definitely charges for incoming texts.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I am incorrect. Most do not.

 

[Talking Hands]

I have an unlimited plan with T-mobile. Important when your messages are more text than voice.

 

[AMcaptured]

I am old by today's standards and I can send and receive texts, we have cingular and I get 200 txts a month for 10 dollars. My 16 yo daughter gets the 1000 texts a month for $20. WELL worth it imo. Honestly, it is simple once you are shown. Good Luck

 

[MorganLeFey]

Verizon has several different plans, depending on whether you text with other Verizon customers or text mostly out of network. Without a polan I'd pay more to send a message than to receive one, but I'd be paying per message instead of paying a flat fee.

 

[LadyyRedd]

I have Cingular and have never been charged extra for text messaging - receiving OR sending. And I never added an unlimited text messaging package. So who knows!

Kimya

 

[Martha7]

I really need to add it to my son's account. It's also nice to be able to send a message quietly to someone, without their phone ringing and getting them in trouble, i.e., at school, etc. Our son had left his homework in the printer at home, and we texted him that we had dropped it off at the front desk at school. He was able to swing by between classes and get it. The text message notification is a subtle vibration, instead of a ring, at least the way he has it set on his phone, it is. I loved using the text messaging to vote for my favorite American Idol contestant this season, rather than dialing and redialing for 15 minutes before I could get through. This way, I could send several text messages in about 3 minutes, and then be done with my voting.

 

[PaulaSue]

Thanks for ALL the help! I will have to read all replies and figure this out.

 

[Talking Hands]

This is why I like text messaging. I was picking up 3 friends for church this morning. Car battery was dead. I texted them what was going on so they would know I would be late. Since they were waiting outside the apt building I could not have called the house and I would have had to call relay for a voice call since they are deaf. I can contact my friends easily and quickly in an emergency. Also they can contact me even when I am teaching or interpreting without disturbing the class.

 

[SillyMe]

AT&T used to charge 10 cents to send a message, but you could receive for free. If you still have your old AT&T plan through Cingular, this still may be true. However, all other Cingular plans are 10 cents both ways. It ticks me off that they changed it, too. I had to block text messaging on my daughter's phone because her friends were sending her umpteen messages and racking up my phone bill. I'd really like her to be capable of texting so I could text her or she could text me if needed, but we can't control the messages her friends were sending her.