How to send SMS with The Grid

Sending a text message with an on-screen keyboard is very easy, and is no different to using any other software. In fact, it is very much the same process as creating a document in a word processor and printing it. You start by launching the program, then open a document to edit, and finally "print" it to your mobile phone.

What you need

A phone

First of all, you need a mobile phone that supports Bluetooth. Most of them do these days, but we made our tests with the Nokia 6310i.

An adaptor

Next you need a Bluetooth adaptor for your computer. There are various adaptors available - we used the TDK model, which connects to the USB port of the computer.

Some software

Do not bother installing the software that comes with your phone. The CD that comes with the USB adaptor does all that you need. The important part is the TDK Mobile program that talks to your phone. We suggest that you go to the TDK web site and get the latest version (3.4 at the time of writing). You will need to do this anyway for newer phones such as the 6310i. The program may be downloaded from http://www.tdksystems.com

A custom grid

To make the program easy to control with The Grid, we have designed a custom grid. Click on the link for instructions and to download the grid. Grid for TDK Mobile

Getting Set up

Install the driver

The CD that comes with the Bluetooth adaptor will install the driver that allows the Bluetooth adaptor to work with your computer. It also installs some applications.

Install TDK Mobile

This is the program that you will actually use to control the phone. This is the program downloaded from the TDK website.

Get linked

You should now have a new icon on your desktop called My Bluetooth Places. Switch on your phone and use the menu to ensure that Bluetooth is ON in your phone. The phone should then be visible in My Bluetooth Places. Run the TDK Mobile software and you will see the connection screen. Select your phone and click the Pairing Wizard button. This will set up a partnership between your computer and your phone.

You will be asked to enter a password (numbers only) on both the phone and the computer. A single number is enough.

 Sending a text message with an on-screen keyboard is very easy, and is no different to using any other software. In fact, it is very much the same process as creating a document in a word processor and printing it. You start by launching the program, then open a document to edit, and finally "print" it to your mobile phone.

The Connection screen and the main window in TDK Mobile