Why phone someone when you can chat with them using instant messaging? I guess there are about a million answers to that one, but nevertheless if you're hooked on IM then you may wish to text chat via your mobile phone. Slick is a free instant messaging client that allows you to talk online with your friends via the most popular IM networks.

Specifically, the client lets you connect and communicate with friends on ICQ, Yahoo!, AIM and MSN Messenger. Besides just sending and receiving messages you can also add emoticons (not enough to choose from for my liking though), change your status and add new contacts.

The interface is not too taxing to find your way around and owes much of its design to the popular IM clients. Thankfully, it also brings with it some of the more advanced features of these clients too, including the ability to share files, view chat history, and set up all manner of alerts.

If you're looking for a no-nonsense way of chatting with your IM contacts on the bus then Slick provides a, well, slick, means of doing so.

Download Slick 0.43 in Softonic

Now here's an interesting new idea for sending text messages that appears to want to fill a niche for people who hate predictive text but don't like taking ages clicking through different choices of letters to write each word. What TapTapSMS offers is something in between. When you upload the software the screen shows six large panels. Four of these contain six consecutive letters, one contains the letters y and z and four symbols and the last contains six other punctuation signs.

When you want to write a letter you click on the corresponding panel which then converts the six main panels so they each contain one of the letters from the first panel eg click on the 'a,b,c,d,e,f' panel and the letters are divided between each of the six panels. Then click the correct panel to write a letter and return to the original display to choose another. It takes some time but once your brain works out where all the letters are spread it is quick and easy. And it does relieve the stress of predictive text, if you hate that. However, if you choose the wrong first panel you then have to choose to write an incorrect letter to return to the first display so you can delete it. It's an interesting idea, whether it succeeds is another thing.

Download TapTapSMS 0.31 in Softonic

With this program, you can hide and unhide all your private messages (SMS, MMS, E-mail, etc.) which are stored in Messaging application.
You can hide your messages manually or smsOrganizer can hide the new messages on every incoming SMS! You can set a password for unhiding messages against unauthorized users.

Key features include:

• Hide and Unhide all your private messages (SMS, MMS, Email, etc.) within the Messaging application.
• Automatic Hide on every incoming SMS.
• Use a password to protect your private messages against unauthorized persons.

Hide your secret SMS messages with this handy tool!

Download smsOrganizer 2.71 in Softonic

With this program, you can backup, restore and export all your messages (SMS, MMS, E-mail, etc.) which are stored in your Messaging application.

You can backup and/or export your messages manually or smsBackup can backup/export the new messages on every incoming SMS! This program exports the messages into text files. The folders used in your Messaging application will appear as directories. After exporting your important data you can easily zip, copy or whatever you want to do with your exported material.

You can use your Storage Card as output directory, so you will never loose your Messages again!

Download smsBackup 2.41 in Softonic

If you love to send lots of text messages but hate the fact that doing so means you get an enormous phone bill, then listen up. VoipSMS is a small, yet handy application that gives you the ability to use your VOIP account to send SMS messages, but maybe you guessed that from its name, right?

The software itself is compatible with IP telephony services offered by VoipBuster, VoipRaider and VoipStunt. Unfortunately there's no support for the most popular of the VOIP services, Skype though.

To assign VoipSMS to your account, you just enter a link on the login page to the relevant service provider, along with your username and password. Automatically, all mail sent from the app will be charged to this account, saving you precious cash.

Depending on the current payment plan you have for your mobile, VoipSMS could shave quite a bit off your bill.

Download VoipSMS 2.3.0 in Softonic

IRCopy is a free tool you can use to send and receive files to and from your Pocket PC using the device's infra-red port.

Simple to use, all you need to do is select a file from its interface, click Send and onb the other Pocket PC click Receive. The program will automatically start trnsferring the chosen file.

For IR transfers, it doesn't get much simpler than this.

Download IRCopy 1.5 in Softonic

VITO Remote is a universal remote control software for your Smartphone. With VITO Remote, you can use your Smartphone as an all-in one IR remote console to operate TV, VCR, DVD, karaoke, home theater and anything else including garage gates and video cameras. VITO Remote is easy to program and use.

Every single button can be programmed to perform a certain action when pressed like your TV, DVD and other remote controls. To learn a signal from original remote control, just send it from the remote control by pressing a correspondging button to your VITO Remote in the Learning mode. VITO Remote will record all acquired commands and store them separately for every piece of your electronics.

Download VITO Remote for Smartphone WM5 1.3 in Softonic

SMS messages are a big part of life for many of us and rarely a day goes by without me sending or receiving a text message.

The SMS handling facilities within Windows Mobile 6 are fine for the casual texter, but if you're a power user who yearns for more functionality then you might want to try installing SMS Tweaker on your Pocket PC.

This simple application is designed to ramp up your SMS manager adding powerful new features such as the ability to view message threads. This means that instead of having to wade through all of your recent messages, you can choose to view only those from a particular contact, giving you the ability to quickly recount the conversation.

Other highlights of SMS Tweaker are customizable backgrounds for your texts (although generally these are pretty hideous unless you're a five-year-old), plus the ability to change the language of notifications and alter the font size. It's a very simple program and all of the available options are clearly accessible from the tabs on the interface.

A great way of improving your text life.

Download SMS Tweaker 1.0 in Softonic

With IPSMS simply type the message, select recipients from your contact list and choose which IP telephone services you want to use to send the message. You can use, for example, SMS77, SMSBug, VoipBuster, 12voip, dialnow, justvoip, nonoh, among others. In order to send the message, you must have an account with and have previously logged into the IP telephone service you want to use.

But once you have these things, the software means you can continue to send supercheap text messages without having to use your PC. The developer recognises there are several current bugs so rest assured they are being worked on. They include: 'First name, Last name' view is sorted by Last name, program crashes on invalid XML phonebook file, history of sent SMS not saved. If you can live with these get messaging, otherwise check the website and wait a while.

Send super-cheap texts but the service is still being developed

Download IPSMS 0.7.3 in Softonic

Bluetooth is arguably the easiest way of sharing data between different mobile devices. It's free, it's simple and it's quick.

However, it's not completely without its annoyances and one of the things that frustrates me the most about the transfer protocol is that when you send a file or document from one device to another, the file always ends up in the same folder on the receiving device.

Step forward moBlue, a free Pocket PC application that lets you set the folder in which you want your Bluetooth transfers to be saved. The program is dead simple to operate and you can select the incoming folder simply by clicking on an icon and browsing to the directory. The program also lets you apply filters, so, for instance, you can set all of your incoming image files to be sent to your My Pictures folder.

There are a few other settings, such as the ability to turn Bluetooth on or off through moBlue, although there's very little in the way of advanced options.

If you want a quick way of changing the folder to save incoming Bluetooth transfers to, moBlue does an adequate job.

Download moBlue 2.1 in Softonic

I used to love watching those old James Bond films and checking out all the cool stealth equipment he used. The great thing is that, with today's technology these kind of gizmos are now in existence.

Take, for instance, HushSMS, an application that allows you to send stealth messages from your Pocket PC. In essence, this means you can send texts to another cellphone without the recipient ever getting knowledge of it. This is useful, for example, if you need to ensure that a certain phone is in use and that you can send information to it.

It's simple enough to use. You type the number of your recipient at the top or open their details from your contact book. Beware though, because for some reason you need to have the international access code in front for it to work. Once you've done that you need to choose the message mode. You can plump for a 'class 0' message, which is a Flash SMS, a simple PING to check the recipient's phone is on, or a normal SMS message.

Then it's just a case of entering your message and sending it. Be sure to check the box to request confirmation if you so desire. The great thing about the program is that the recipient won't know who has sent them the message and will instead just get something like 'Network Message' in the From field.

This makes it great for pinging another phone, but I can't help thinking there are more sinister things you can do using HushSMS.

Download HushSMS 0.3 in Softonic

One of the annoying things about the messaging application in Windows Mobile is that it's a lot more difficult to insert phone numbers from your contacts into your messages than many other mobile operating systems.

Insert Contacts basically does what it says on the tin, enabling you to access your contacts and add any number to the text message that you're currently composing, making it easier to share contacts with other people.

The program's user interface is rather crude in terms of its visuals, but nevertheless, it's highly functional and inserting a contact is simply a matter of clicking the insert menu, looking up that particular contact, before choosing the number you want to add to the message based on those stored for that contact.

That's about it really, there isn't much in the way of any other added options (such as editing contacts, grouping contact numbers, etc.) like you'd find in some other SMS management tools.

However, for the task of inserting contact numbers into your message, Insert Contacts is an effective, no-frills solution.

Download Insert Contacts 1.01 in Softonic

There are times when you need to get a text message out to lots of people at once, and it can be oh-so irritating having to type the details several times and send it to umpteen different numbers.

MoblMsg is designed to alleviate the problem, allowing you to create groups from your Windows Mobile contacts in order to send the same message to all of the contacts you've defined in this group.

The program is installed very quickly through your desktop PC via ActiveSync and leaves a very small footprint, so it won't put any kind of strain on your device's resources. The user interface is a little ugly though, and the buttons are clunky and irregular in size. Nevertheless it's still pretty simple to create new groups and add recipients to these groups in the main window, using the arrow buttons. There are no options for editing contacts within the program, which I felt was a bit of a shame.

Once the groups are connected you can write a message and send it to everyone in the group with the click of a button. The program stores all of your sent messages so you can go back at any time and check what you've written and when.

There are definitely better designed groups SMS tools out there, but nevertheless MoblMsg does provide a simple and functional way of creating group messaging lists.

Download MoblMsg 1.0 in Softonic

I don't know about you but I get fed up with having to tell the same thing repeatedly to loads of different people. Sometimes I wish I could just say it once and everyone hears what I have to say at the same time, even though they're all miles apart.

Hang on a minute, apparently I actually can do that thanks to Group SMS. This Windows Mobile app allows you to send the same text message to multiple contacts - a feature that most devices running this OS lack.

The program is pretty easy to get to grips with and you're basically walked through the process of setting the thing up. You can tick a box to 'Select all contacts' and the program will auto-detect your contacts from your Outlook address book (you'll need to sync it first in the Smartphone version). From this list you select the receivers of the message by checking box next to their name. Then simply enter the message and hit 'Send' to spread the word.

Although the interface is fairly sparse there a a few neat options, such as the ability to insert pictures or voice notes, and to request notification of delivery. There's no Help system to speak of, but it's pretty easy to work out what to do anyway.

If you're frustrated by the lack of group messaging features in Windows Mobile then Group SMS provides a simple and free remedy.

Download Group SMS 1.4.5 in Softonic

There are times when it's impossible to answer your mobile, you don't hear it ring, or you simply don't want to speak to the caller. If you don't want to seem rude or like you're ignoring that person then why not send them a response to let them know why you're not answering, or at least lie about why you're not answering?

It's easier to do than you might think, and you can achieve it pretty quickly using BaselsReply. The program allows you to send automated SMS messages to anyone who tries to call you but can't get through.

Besides this functionality, the app also lets you compose text messages and schedule them to be sent at a given time. This can be useful for delaying the release of information. BaselsReply is dead simple to use, you just have to define the text message you want to send and activate the service, before it will do everything for you in a completely autonomous way.

I like the idea of this program, although it would've be great to have some extra functionality such as the ability to send automated MMS messages. I'd love it if you could send a personal video response explaining why you can't get to the phone.

Nevertheless, as a tool for scheduling messages or responding automatically to missed calls, BaselReply provides a simple-to-use solution.

Download BaselsReply 2.0 in Softonic

Want to chat with your partner in a cinema about the film you're watching or chat up that hot girl or boy sitting across from you in the library? Well, look no further than the excellent BuZZone for Pocket PC.

The application enables instant messaging communication through Bluetooth, so you can chat to someone on your mobile without actually talking. Of course, you could do this using SMS messaging or via an Internet-based chat solution, but because BuZZone uses Bluetooth you can talk quickly and for free. You can even invite multiple users to join in your conversations.

The program's functions allow you to define your username, scan the radio coverage of your Bluetooth transmitter for other users, send and receive text messages as well as voice, and exchange files include emoticons.

I can imagine a number of scenarios where this may be very useful, and aside from simply making titilating conversation in places where it's difficult to talk, it could be handy at business functions or exhibitions where you want to hook up with clients or partners in a crowded place.

The main drawback of the program is that both partys need to have BuZZone on their device. You can invite the other person to install it, but that kinda spoils the spotaneity of it all.

That said, this is a definitely an innovative application which is perfect for communicating cheaply and quickly with those around you.

Download BuZZone 2.0.2 in Softonic

Pocket SMS is a program that allows you to control your mobile phone's messaging directly from your PC. You can write and send messages from Windows using the functions of your phone. It also allows you to synchronise contacts and view the messages sent and received as stored in the memory of your terminal.

It operates by communicating between a client you have to install on your phone and a server compatible with Windows. To initiate communication between the two programs, you just have to launch an ActiveSync synchronisation on your PC. Pocket SMS is an excellent solution to compose messages from your PC and send them via your device. However, I've never had a need to do that, which is, unfortunately, where I struggle to find a use for the software.

Download Pocket SMS 1.06 in Softonic

Picture the scene. You're organising the biggest party of the year round your house and you want all your mates to come along. So you decide to send a bulk SMS to all of them, but by the time you've written the message and programmed in all of the contacts you wish to receive the invitation, the party is nearly over. In fact, you're the only one at the party because it took you so long to get the word out that everyone has made other plans.

Message Sender is a simple alternative to the default message app on Pocket PC. Instead of having to look for all of your contacts one by one, the application provides an alternative list where you simply tick the boxes next to the people you want to receive the message. Simple, fast and comfortable to use, Message Sender provides an interesting solution for sending bulk messages.

Download Message Sender in Softonic

Were you a Treo 650 user? Miss the old threaded "Chat Style" of the text messages? Well, you don't have to be sad any longer! With the SMS Threader application, you can now send and receive your text messages just like you used to! The program will even automatically open even if it's not running! Also includes the ability to send a text message to an email address. All threads are automatically backed up as HTML files, for easy viewing on any machine!

Download SMS Threader 1.22 in Softonic

Need to let people know where you are but can't answer the phone? Then this handy app could be just the thing for you. I went to see Shrek 3 the other night, it's not so good, and as always I had to turn my phone off. However with Ignore with SMS all you need to do to let friends know where you are is pre-set the text message you want to send out - I'm watching Shrek 3, it's terrible, for example - then keep your mobile on silent.

As soon as a call comes in just press the assigned button and the message gets sent. There are other uses of course if you want to ignore someone on purpose but let's not go into that. I really was watching Shrek 3 in case anyone's reading this.

Download Ignore with SMS 1.0 in Softonic