06/13/2014 Updated on  02/11/2018|Verizon News Archives

The history of text messaging

Texting has come a long way in 25 years. Today, Integrated Messaging makes it easy to text across devices, including your computer or tablet.

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Person holding phone with screen saying Merry christmas

Did you know that the first text message was sent 25 years ago? On December 3, 1992, software architect Neil Papworth sent the very first text message from his PC to a colleague who had an early model cell phone. The message read simply, “Merry Christmas.”

Since that first SMS, texting has evolved to become a part of our everyday lives. By 2007, Americans were sending and receiving more text messages than telephone calls.1 And today, according to one estimate, over 6 billion texts are sent in the US each day.2

At Verizon, we’re constantly thinking of new, easier ways for people to connect. One innovative texting service we offer is Message+ with Integrated Messaging.

Integrated Messaging is a convenient feature to help customers stay on top of all their messages no matter which wireless device they may be using at any given moment. 

With Integrated Messaging, messages are delivered simultaneously to a customer’s mobile device, computer and/or tablet. This means messages can be read and responded to whether you’re sitting on the couch using a tablet or working at a computer without your smartphone nearby.

How do I get Message+ with Integrated Messaging?

Integrated Messaging is available through Message+With Message+, you can keep track of all your Verizon Wireless messages, all in one place. You can also customize your messaging experience by adding conversation backgrounds, bubble styles, fonts, notifications, auto-reply messages, signatures and more. Message+ even has a feature that lets you purchase and send eGift cards from merchants like Amazon and Starbucks.

Text messaging has certainly come a long way since that first SMS sent in 1992. Now, you can text away in whichever way is most convenient for you with Message+ and Integrated Messaging from Verizon. It’s a great solution for those moments when your phone is out of reach or for those times when you just can’t use your phone.

Get the Message+ app for your phone or PC

Get the Message+ app for macOS

Log in to the Message+ (Verizon Messages) web portal

1 Source: Nielsen.com
2 Source: Forrester.com

 

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