iPad for the Older and Wiser: Get Up and Running with Your Apple iPad, iPad Air and iPad Mini, 4th Edition

8

Sending instant messages using iMessage

 Equipment needed: An iPad and an Internet connection.

 Skills needed: Experience using the iPad, including gesture controls, using the keyboard, and starting and using apps. Familiarity with the Contacts app (see Chapter 5) is helpful.

In Chapter 7, you find out how to have a video chat with friends using FaceTime. In this chapter, you discover a way you can chat with friends that's a bit more socially acceptable if you're still in your pyjamas.

The Messages app provides a convenient way to send text messages and photos to friends who also have an Apple device with the Messages app. This covers iPads, iPhones and iPod touches, as well as Mac computers running OS X Snow Leopard or later. This powerful communication tool works over Wi-Fi and lets you send messages complete with photos and web links without eating into your text message allowance. Even if you don't have Wi-Fi available, Apple doesn't charge you for sending or receiving messages, but you may have to use some of your mobile data subscription to exchange messages. This is different to standard mobile phone text messages (SMS), which typically are charged individually or included as part of a subscription package. The iPad's large keyboard makes it much easier to type messages ...