Text messaging
Text messaging, or
texting, is the act of composing and sending a brief, electronic message between two or more mobile phones, or fixed or portable devices over a phone network. The term originally referred to messages sent using the Short Message Service. It has grown to include messages containing image, video, and sound content. The sender of a text message is known as a
texter, while the service itself has different colloquialisms depending on the region. It may simply be referred to as a
text in North America, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and the Philippines, an
SMS in most of mainland Europe, and a
TMS or
SMS in the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Text messages can be used to interact with automated systems to, for example, order products or services, or participate in contests. Advertisers and service providers use direct text marketing to message mobile phone users about promotions, payment due dates, etcetera instead of using mail, e-mail or voicemail.