In a Pinch? Use These Text Messaging Tricks

I don't have to tell you how bad (or expensive) the telephone company's directory services are, do I? I've called the wrong states, had conversations with the wrong people, practiced spelling aloud at a snail's pace, and hung up in frustration at many an information operator.

But it was my kids who taught me how to use text messaging to get important search information without ever speaking to an operator. The trick is to use your phone's SMS messaging.

You can send a text message to Yahoo! or Google and get back a message with the requested information. That could be a phone number, address, driving information, weather report, and more. (In addition to Yahoo! and Google, there are some other new SMS search companies that I'll report on in an upcoming post.)

The information is accurate and it's delivered speedily. You pay your mobile provider for the messages (both the ones you send and the one you receive), but it's less expensive, less frustrating, and a lot faster than dialing any sort of directory assistance.

To get started, enter the Yahoo! or Google SMS phone search numbers into your address book.

For Yahoo!, dial 92466 or "Yahoo." (Yahoo's SMS search is available for Cingular, Sprint, and Verizon Wireless customers.)

Google users dial 46645 or "Google" minus the "e."

To get a phone number just type in the name and state, for example "Big Apple Diner, New York."

For the weather, type in w and the city and state, or the zip code.

For a complete listing of commands, send a text message containing the text help to either Yahoo! or Google.

On a recent drive I used this SMS search to call for a pizza and have it ready for us to pick up as we pulled into town. We've found everything from driving directions to movie times. And I know it's going to be sunny when we get to Connecticut today. With good phone reception and a set up thumbs, you'll never need to dial 411 again.