Hello Everyone,

I find that there are several people that I text regularly from my Windows Mobile Smartphone. 

Let’s be honest, creating a new text message (SMS) on a Windows Mobile device can be quite annoying, to say the least.  Think of all the steps you must perform before typing any text  into the message itself:  (1) go to Messages, (2) select text messages, (3) press the right soft key, (4) select New Text Message, (5) press the [Enter] key to Add a recipient, (6) search for the correct recipient, (7) highlight the correct recipient, (8) press the left soft key to add the recipient to the text message; not to mention all the load time between all of these steps.

HOWEVER, THERE IS A BETTER WAY!!!

You can use the Speed Dial feature to streamline this entire process.

Assuming that the person you wish to text is already in your Contacts list, here’s how it’s done:

NOTE:
You must have a wireless/mobile telephone number already stored in the recipient’s Contact information in order to create a Speed Dial Shortcut.

1.
From the Today/Home screen, open the Contacts list.

2.
Highlight/select the entry for the person you frequently text.

3.
Press the [Enter] key to open the selected Contact’s dialog box.

4.
Press the [Down Arrow] key until the Send Text Message item, in the list box, is highlighted/selected.  NOTE: Do not press the [Enter] key at this point.

5.
Tap the Right Soft key to launch the Shortcut menu.

6.
Select Add to Speed Dial.  The Add Speed Dial dialog box will appear.

7.
At the top of this dialog box is the Name edit box.  This box will automatically be populated with the recipient’s name as it appears in the Contact list.  You may modify this field is you so choose.

8.
Press the [Down Arrow] key to activate the Keypad Assignment list box.  This box displays all of the Speed Dial numbers from which you may select.  As you use the Left and Right Arrow keys to navigate this list you will notice that each number will be labeled with either the name of its currently assigned tasks or with the word “Available”.

9.
After deciding which number to assign to this new Speed Dial text messaging task, you may either press the Left Soft key, labeled “Done” to save your selection or the Right Soft key, labeled Menu, to begin the keypad assignment cancellation process.

That’s all there is to it.

Assuming that you successfully completed the steps listed above, the next time you wish to send a text message to that favored person, from the Today/Home screen, in one easy step, simply dial the Speed Dial number and a new text message will open with the recipient’s name/telephone number already in the “To” field.  All you need do is type the message. 

NOTE:
You may manage Speed Dial assignments in the Speed Dial application which is usually located on the Windows Mobile Start Menu.

Enjoy,

Mark