Sending text messages

If you've used your phone's text messaging function, then you know how to send a message:

• Open a text message and type using the phone keypad
• Enter the recipient's phone number as the address
• Send the message, as documented for your phone
• Check the text messaging Inbox on your phone for any new messages.

Sending instant messages

The AIM service using Text Messaging works the same way. You converse with other AIM users by sending and receiving text messages. Instead of a phone number, you send the text message to a unique Instant Message (IM) number assigned to the AIM screen names in your Buddy List feature (you can get up to 30 IM numbers for your screen names at one time). New instant messages arrive in your text messaging Inbox.

You manage the AIM service and your Buddy List feature the same way—for example, to sign on to the service or to add a new screen name, you send a text message to the IM number assigned to the AIM command that you want to use. The IM numbers are assigned by your wireless carrier and may be different for each carrier.

Because you'll need to keep track of the IM numbers for both the screen names in your Buddy List feature and for the AIM commands, create entries in your phone book for this information. To send a message or use a command, you just send a text message to the phone book entry.