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Multimedia
Messaging Service (MMS) is a store and forward
messaging service that allows mobile subscribers to
exchange multimedia messages with other mobile
subscribers. As such it can be seen as an evolution of SMS,
with MMS supporting the transmission of additional media
types:
Multimedia
Messaging Service (MMS) is an important emerging service,
which allows the sending of multiple media in a single
message, and the ability to send a message to multiple
recipients.
The originator
can easily create a Multimedia Message, either using a
built-in or accessory camera, or can use images and sounds
stored previously in the phone (and possibly downloaded
from a web site).
Even if the recipient phone is not switched on, the
Multimedia Message will be stored and sent to the
recipient as soon as they switch on their phone. In a
non-roaming case, it is expected that the subscriber will
allow a Multimedia Message to be downloaded automatically
to their phone and then they would be notified and could
see the Multimedia Message immediately.
A number of
Multimedia Messages can be stored in the users handset and
reviewed or forwarded at a later date.
Each Multimedia
Message contains a number of pages (think of a PowerPoint
slide show as an analogy). On each page, there can be one
image and one set of text. An audio file can also be
attached. The time that each "page" is displayed can be
specified, so the user experience is somewhat like a slide
show.
So how
does MMS work?
Depending upon
the operator, a typical example of how an MMS message can
be sent and received between two compatible MMS phones is
detailed below:
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STEP 1: |
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Using an MMS
compatible phone, take a photo. |
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STEP 2: |
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Use your
phone to personalise the message by adding text, sound
clip or your own voice. |
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STEP 3: |
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Send the MMS
message |
On an
compatible phone, the MMS message will appear
with a new message alert. The picture message will open on
the screen, the text will appear below the image and the
sound will begin to play automatically.
If the message
is sent to a non-compatible MMS phone the
user will receive a SMS message along the lines of:
"You have been sent a picture message!"
They may then be
given a website address, and possibly and username and
password on which they can view the message.
Again, this is a
simple example and may differ from operator to operator. |
