Chat via SMS Text Messages

When most people think of chatting on a computer, they think in terms of instant messaging. Instant messaging involves a live connection with another user, during which you type and share text messages in real time. Although instant messaging is incredibly useful, it requires a special client application and, perhaps more important, a live connection that remains constant throughout the conversation. You can certainly download and install an instant messaging application on your Treo, but you might find it isn't necessary because you can use SMS and multimedia messages to closely simulate an instant-messaging conversation.

Note

SMS text messages are limited to only 160 characters, so the idea is to keep them short and sweet. However, if you find yourself rambling past the 160-character limit, don't fret because the message is simply broken into 160-character chunks sent as separate messages.

Treo devices simulate instant messaging by automatically grouping text message replies into a conversation that looks much like an instant-messaging conversation. For example, if you send a text message to a friend and he or she replies, the two messages appear together in a threaded format that looks as though you two are chatting. Given that SMS messages are typically sent rapidly, it is indeed possible to carry on a chat that seems much like a true instant-messaging conversation. Figure 9.8 shows a conversation being carried out via SMS by using the Messaging application.

Figure 9.8. The Messaging application automatically groups message replies so that they flow like an instant-messaging conversation.

Note

Adding a video clip to a multimedia message is almost identical to adding a picture. You can choose to take a new video clip or select from the videos already stored on your device.

Message grouping in the Messaging application is automatic and helps tie an ongoing discussion into a single thread. Contrast this feature with a typical email application that lists messages and their replies individually or at best as a sequence of messages with headers, footers, and other distractions littered between messages. Also, given the limited screen real estate on Treo devices, the compact nature of text message conversations is useful.