How to send/receive Twitter updates instantly without an internet connection!

Okay, many people don't realize that you don't even need a Twitter app on your iPhone to post and receive Twitter updates. Also, when someone updates their status, you get a notification instantly without needing push or background processes. Check this out:

1. Go to Twitter.com and log in from a computer.
2. Click Settings
3. Click Devices
4. Type in your iPhone phone number
5. Text the code they give you to 40404
6. Go to http://www.twitter.com/friends
7. Click the little phone icon next to the people you want to receive updates from

That's it! You will now receive Twitter updates through the SMS app on your iPhone! The updates are just about as instant as you can get. I tested it with my brother and as soon as he posted something, I got the text message. Also, if you text anything to 40404, it will update your status too!

To make things look better, I just added 40404 to my contacts and named it "Twitter". Now when I'm in SMS and I'm talking to people, I figure I can update Twitter without having to leave the SMS app. If you leave the 40404 conversation open, you can view the message history just like any other conversation. I find this convenient because I wouldn't want every update to come from a different number (like AIM has the tendency to do).

Anyway, thanks for reading! Enjoy!

If you wanna follow me on Twitter, my name is Spaztik

 

Yes, I forgot to specify that standard SMS rates apply. I don't have very many people to follow (7 people), so I don't get updates that often so it works nicely for me. Especially since I'm on 2.2.1 where there are no push apps.

However, it wasn't until a couple of days ago that ever heard of doing this with Twitter and I didn't really see it mentioned, until I accidentally stumbled onto it on some random iPhone blog site or something.

Yeah, I have unlimited text messaging so I don't care how many texts I get... maybe if I get enough, I can stick-it to AT&T so to speak.

 

Cool! I just started following MacRumorsRSS! Now I can get MacRumors news instantly no matter where I am!

 

My girlfriend is using a first gen iPhone on AT&T with the data plan... so for her, it's going to be nice. For me, I like getting notified of new tweets from friends.

Seeing as how I'm on 2.2.1, it's like having push!

 

Ah, I don't remember saying it was a new feature, but I just don't see people talking about it everywhere and I didn't realize how easy it is.