Microsoft Outlook Gets Text Messaging Plug-In From MobileSphere

Wireless communications technology provider MobileSphere on Tuesday rolled out a text messaging plug-in for 2007 Microsoft Office Outlook client and older versions of Outlook.

MobileSphere's Joopz "web texting" plug-in enables two-way text messaging between a desktop computer and any cell phone or smartphone. The new software synchronizes with both Outlook and Joopz contacts, so a person can text anyone in their address books.

Using Joopz, people can send text messages to groups, have messages forwarded to their phone to continue a conversation when they leave their desktop, manage their contacts, and keep a record of their text messages.

"Text messaging has become one of the most popular ways to communicate, and we believe our new Outlook plug-in will make texting even more accessible and convenient to use," said Gavin Macomber, MobileSphere's executive VP of marketing, in a statement.

The Outlook plug-in is free to all Joopz subscribers, who can download it on the provider's Web site. A Joopz subscription costs $2.95 a month or $19.95 a year.

MobileSphere is also offering new plug-ins for social networking sites such as MySpace and Facebook. Subscribers can add the Joopz plug-in of choice to their profile page to start sending and receiving text messages.

Joopz.com launched last December to bridge the gap between the Internet and short message service, or SMS, on mobile devices, according to the company.