Using email to send text messages

I don't know about you, but I am more efficient with email while at the office than text messaging on my phone. So, if you're like me and have Microsoft Outlook open most of the day, you'll save time and effort sending text messages right from Outlook.

Most people have no idea that the major US cellular carriers actually use email for SMS to text capable cell phones. These text messages are limited to 160 total characters for both subject and message body. Using the format "10_digit_number@cell.carrier_domain.com", you can send a text message from any email client, like Microsoft Outlook, or web-based email service (like Yahoo!, Gmail, or Hotmail). And, what's even better than that is you'll receive any replies to your text message in your email inbox. Here is a list of the major carriers' email domains ("phonenumber" being the 10-digit phone number for the person you want to text):

• Alltel -- phonenumber@message.alltel.com
• AT&T -- phonenumber@mms.att.net
• Nextel -- phonenumber@messaging.nextel.com
• Sprint -- phonenumber@messaging.sprintpcs.com
• SunCom -- phonenumber@tms.suncom.com
• T-Mobile -- phonenumber@tmomail.net
• VoiceStream -- phonenumber@voicestream.net
• Verizon (text only) -- phonenumber@vtext.com
• Verizon (pictures/videos) -- phonenumber@vzwpix.com

Try it out today and pass it along!