How to Set Up a Free Phone Number

1. From the Google voice setup page, click on the blue 'Choose a number' button with your cursor, which is located within the 'Get a new Google number' box.
2. Type in your zip code as prompted by 'Search by area code or ZIP code.' You can also type in a key word or phrase (such as a city or preferred area code) in the field below, then click on the 'Search' button.
3. Click on your preferred number displayed in the 'Results for' section. If you are unsatisfied with the current selections, click on the blue link below to view more phone numbers. After you locate your preferred number, click on the 'Continue' button below.
4. Type in a four-digit personal identification number (PIN) as prompted. Retype your PIN to confirm and then check-mark the box with your cursor (which informs Google that you will agree to their terms and conditions). Then click on the 'Continue' button near the bottom.
5. Type in your home, mobile, or business phone number in the 'Phone Number' field. In the 'Phone Type' menu option, select whether the number is for a 'Home,' 'Work,' or 'Mobile' phone.
6. Click on the 'Call Me Now' button to have Google Voice call to verify that you are the owner of the number as entered. After receiving the call from Google Voice, type in the verification code using your dial pad, which will then activate your free phone number.
7. Click on the 'Finish' button with your cursor after you see the 'Congratulations!' box, then click on the blue 'Check your inbox' to configure your account.
8. Click on the 'Settings' link with your cursor, which is located in the top right of the screen. Next, click on the 'Voicemail & Text' tab to configure your voicemail settings.
9. Click on the 'Record New' link which is located in the 'Voicemail Greeting' section. Next, type in a name for your voicemail greeting in the 'Enter a greeting name' field, then click on the 'Ok' button.
10. Click on the 'Connect' button, which will prompt Google Voice to call your 'Work,' 'Home,' or 'Mobile' phone to create a personal voicemail greeting for your new free phone number.
11. Click on the 'Play' link with your cursor (which is located in the 'Voicemail Greeting' section) to listen to your new voicemail, or click on the 'Re-record' link to create a new voicemail greeting.After you are satisfied with the greeting, click on the 'Save Changes' button below to finish configuring your voicemail for your new number.

How to Send an SMS Using a GSM Modem

1. Place a valid GSM-compatible SIM card in your GSM modem. Connect the modem to your computer using a Bluetooth link or a USB cable.
2. Launch the program that came with your modem. Select the command prompt option.
3. Type 'AT' and press 'Enter.' The modem should respond with 'OK.' This means that the connection between your computer and the modem works fine.
4. Type 'AT+CMGF=1' and press 'Enter.' This will make the modem operate in the SMS text mode.
5. Type 'AT+CMGW='+0000000000' (the phone number of the recipient instead of zeros) and press 'Enter.' The '>' sign should appear, indicating that you can now type the message.
6. Type the message of your SMS. Then type '+CMGW: 1,' which indicates the location of the text message in the storage of the modem.
7. Type 'AT+CMSS=1.' This command sends the SMS from the modem's storage. The computer should return 'OK.'

How to Send a Free SMS to Nigeria

1. Go to a site that allows free texting. A few that you can use are Txt2Day.com, Smsfree4all.com and junglesms.com. Some sites require you to register. You will need to include your user name, password and email address. As of 2010, it is free to send your message with these sites.
2. Enter the phone number of the person you want to contact in Nigeria. Select the name of the cell phone service provider for the number you want to contact.
3. Type your message in the box provided (the number of characters allowed is usually 140). Click 'Send.'

How to Send MMS From a PC to a Mobile

1. Go to a website that allows you to send MMS from the Web to cell phones (see Resources for links to some of these websites).
2. Click the 'Choose File' button on the Web page and upload a photo or an image from your computer to the website.
3. Enter the recipient's phone number and select his country or carrier from the list. Some websites ask you to select the recipient's destination from the map. Specify where you are sending the message.
4. Add an additional message, if you want, in the message box. For instance, add your name in the message so the recipient recognizes the message sender.
5. Click on 'Send MMS' or 'Send Picture Message.'

How to Send an SMS to a Cell Phone Through SMTP Mail

1. Construct your SMS message in the body of the email.
2. Place the appropriate cellular phone address into the 'To' window of the email application. Use one of the following formats: For T-Mobile: cellnumber@tmomail.com; Virgin Mobile: cellnumber@vmobl.com; and Verizon: cellnumber@vtext.com; or seek the appropriate format from your cell phone provider. Replace 'cellnumber' with the actual cell phone's number.
3. Click 'Send' for the email message.

Free Ways to Retrieve Text Messages From Cell Phones

Receive text as data
Most carriers now require data services so you can access the Internet from your phone. A person who wants to send you a text message can send that message to your phone's eail address and you will not be charged for it. Many carriers supply an email address that you can receive text messages to. For example, T-Mobile's free email address is 'T-Mobile wireless phone number'@tmomail.net. Verison's is 'Verizon wireless phone number'@vtext.com.
E-Mail based text chatting
According to My Digital Life.info, if your phone is equipped with an Android operating system you have access to send and receive messages though the built in Gmail chat services built into the Gmail client called Google Talk. As long as the person you want to text is part of your Google address book you will be able to send and receive for free. Google Gmail accounts can also be integrated into iPhones and most other PDA type devices.
Download software
Many devices allow you to download software to personalize the device to your needs. There are multiple applications that have been developed that allow you to send and receive messages for free. For example, Teleflip, Gizmo SMS and TXT drop are all popular software downloads that give users access to free messaging.

How to get Free Ringtones on your Verizon Cell Phone

1. First you must find out what files are supported by your phone. Most phones today will suppport MP3 and WAV files, and almost all will run MIDI files.
2. Download the file you want to your PC. Verizon will not allow anything larger than 250kb through text messaging. Most sites are aware of this and have content ready to use for your phone.
3. Compose an email to YOURNUMBER@vzwpix.com and be sure to attach the ringtone or wallpaper you selected. Then send as you normally would.
4. Once you receive the message on your phone, press the options key. Scroll down and you should have the option to Save as Ringtone. After you have saved it, you can then select it from your usual ringtone list and assign it as a contact ringer, or whatever you like.