Multimedia messaging
Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) is a sort of "super text message" system. They are still "store and forward", first going to a message cenre, and then passed to the recipient.
MMS are sent by GPRS rather than using the control channel in the way that SMS text messages are transported
As well as sending text messages, you can also send pictures, sounds and even short videos. Many modern mobile phones have the ability to send these messages (particularly ones with built-in cameras) and some others can receive but not send them.
MMS is a development that improved upon Smart Messaging, and allows pictures and sound to be embedded inside the message, not just as an attachment.
The way that MMS are displayed is scripted in a format called Synchonised Multimedia Integration Language (SMIL). It is supposed to be pronounced "smile", not sounding like "smell"! SMIL allows a message to work like a slideshow, with timed changes.
Viewing MMS messages
When you receive a MMS message, your phone will show it to you.
If the person you want to send the message to does not have an MMS-capable phone, they will receive a text message with a link (and password) to a web page where they can see it. You can also have the message delivered by email.
It is worth noting that some handsets have better cameras than others, and some have better screens to display pictures. As a result, looking at the results on screen may give a misleading impression of the underlying picture quality: you have to view the pictures on a computer screen (or better, printed out) to compare.
MMS Settings
Your handset needs to have some settings entered before it will be able to send Multimedia Messages. The settings vary from network to network.
The handsets should come pre-configured to work on the network that supplies them, but if you need help setting yours up, these are the MMS settings for the main networks:
| |
|---|---|
| Data Bearer: | GPRS |
| Access Point Node (APN): | wap.o2.co.uk (contract) payandgo.o2.co.uk (PAYG) |
| User ID: | o2wap (contract) payandgo (PAYG) |
| Password: | password |
| Authentication: | Normal |
| Gateway: | 193.113.200.195 |
| MMS Message Server: | http://mmsc.mms.02.co.uk:8002 |
| Session Mode | Permanent |
| |
| Data Bearer: | GPRS |
| Access Point Node (APN): | orangemms |
| User ID: | Orange |
| Password: | Multimedia |
| IP Address: | 192.168.224.10 |
| MMS Message Server: | http://mms.orange.co.uk/ |
| |
| Data Bearer: | GPRS |
| Access Point Node (APN): | general.t-mobile.uk |
| User ID: | user |
| Password: | T-mobile tell you this when you register |
| IP Address: | 149.254.211.10 |
| MMS Message Server: | http://mmsc.t-mobile.co.uk/ |
| |
| Data Bearer: | GPRS |
| Access Point Node (APN): | wap.vodafone.co.uk |
| User ID: | user@vodafone.net |
| Password: | user |
| IP Address: | 212.183.137.12 |
| MMS Message Server: | http://mms.vodafone.co.uk/servlets/mms/ |
| |
| Data Bearer: | GPRS |
| Access Point Node (APN): | goto.virginmobile.uk |
| User ID: | user |
| Password: | [blank] |
| IP Address: | 193.30.166.1 |
| MMS Message Server: | http://mms.virginmobile.co.uk:8002 |
O2 MMS Settings
Orange MMS Settings
T-Mobile MMS Settings
Vodafone MMS Settings
Virgin MMS Settings< previous • site map • ^ up • MobileShop.com, mobile phones online • home • glossary • next >
