Pimp up your texts on the Nokia Lumia

It is an amusing quirk that so many of us tend to use SMS on our phones to communicate with our friends and family rather than actually talking to them. Of course, I am guilty of this myself.
We know that texting is the most popular form of phone communication in the UK and it is likely to be a similar story around the world.

The unstoppable rise of SMS has lead to new ways of expressing ourselves, such as emoticons and other text-tastic abbreviations. But why stop there?

There are some apps in the Windows Phone Marketplace for your Nokia Lumia smartphone that can transform your SMS messages into much more than just letters and smileys.

Here are five free apps that can pimp up your texts.

MyTextTwister

Why send someone a simple plain text, when you can do it with upside down letters, in faux Cyrillic or in mirror writing?

Whatever it is you are trying to say, there are all sorts of cool effects that you can use to ‘reinforce’ the message. If words are not enough for you, then MyTextTwister also has a database of over 1,200 emoticons to help you say it in cute little graphics too.

As well as SMS or emailing, there is also the option of sharing your souped up messages on social networking sites.

SMSFunPics

This app is testament to the old cliché that a picture is worth a thousand words. You don’t need to describe the animal when you can just send a drawing.

SMSFunPics uses ASCII to illustrate drawings, which you can then copy and paste into your message box. There are categories such as love, animals, signs, people and emotions.

The images have all been done for you, so a lack of artistic talent is no barrier to using the app.

Easy SMS

Easy SMS offers a slightly different take on the idea of transforming your texts. Rather than adding colour or fun effects it is actually a database of cheesy and sentimental lines to suit each and every occasion.

For example, if you want to say thanks to a friend, why not send this instead?

“A deep friend is like a rainbow, when the perfect amount of happiness and tears are mixed, the result is a colourful bridge between two hearts.”

I did not (and I could not) make that up. I’m not even sure it makes sense. However, if you’ve got writer’s block and are looking show off your poetic side, then this is the app for you.

Magic Text

Magic Text lets you send messages in unusual and ever so slightly cryptic graphics.

You need to assemble the messages character by character from categories such as numbers, smiles and objects. Each category has dozens of little shapes, fonts and clip arts for you to choose from. Click on the ones you like to include them in your message.

This is not the most intuitive interface but with a little patience you can create some fabulous and unique results. Whereas many of the other apps have already created the graphics for you, with Magic Text, you’re free to let your imagination run wild.

I Love You SMS

How many ways can you say, ‘I Love you?’ Well, with this app, you can say it in at least 18 different languages.

Pick the translation of ‘I Love You’ that you want and then press send. It is then copy and pasted in your message box ready to be sent off on cupid’s arrow towards your special one.

This is an extremely simple and charming idea, which is guaranteed to bring a smile to the recipient’s face. What better use could there be for SMS?