If you text GOOGLE (466453) phrases like “Sushi Charlottesville” or “Score Yankees,” you can get all kinds of cool information back via text message. There are a ton of things you can check with a simple text, from weather, to flight status, to shopping price checks. My favorite? “Directions,” followed by where you are and where you’re going, to get you home in a pinch. Here’s the whole list of things you can search for.

If you’re a Google Calendar user, you can set up your phone to add or retrieve events from Google by texting to GVENT (48368).  If you send a message to GVENT with “next,” Google will text you back with the next thing on your calendar. Or text “lunch with Jim tomorrow 12:30,” and it’ll get added to your calendar. There’s a bunch of things you can do – here’s the list.

If you’re in the mood for a movie, text your zip code and a movie title to Fandango at 36436, and you’ll get a message back with today’s move times. Some cell carriers will even let you buy tickets – try it next time you’re standing in a long line at the theater.

Text messages are also an awesome way to send quick emails. Text just like you normally would, enter an email address instead of a phone number. You’re still limited to the 160 characters of all text messages, but it’s a great solution for the non text-savvy people in your life – also known as most people over 30.