Recently, Wikipedia has become one of the most highly regarded sources of information on the Internet. Although the Internet-based encyclopedia is regulated by other members of the Internet, it often proves to be the quickest method of accessing coherent information on virtually any subject. For cell phone users, Wikipedia is no longer out of reach when seeking information - in fact, using the proper methods, Wikipedia is easily the fastest find for on the go encyclopedic content.

How To Access Wikipedia From Your Cell Phone

Using Wikipedia directly from your phone can be completed in one of two ways:

Unyverse Wikipedia

Regardless of location or Internet Access, users who install Unyverse Wikipedia can browse the Wikipedia reference databases directly from their cell phones. Unyverse Wikipedia is a portable application that places Wikipedia on your cell phone to be quickly accessed at any point in time.  It may be necessary to access the Internet to download the entry initially, but after downloading entries you need, you can essentially compile your own mobile Wikipedia database.

1. In order to use Unyverse Wikipedia, you will need to have a smart phone or pocketPC that is Windows Mobile enabled. The system can be installed on Windows Mobile 2003 and any subsequent WM operating systems. Click here to download the program for your cell phone.
2. Installation of Unyverse Wikipedia, also known as Upvise Mobile Wikipedia, must be completed by using Active Sync or by installing it directly from its .cab file onto your WM phone.
3. After installing the program, you can begin to compile your database by creating your own Upvise account at upvise.com. From here, you can sync wikipedia articles to your phone while connected through either your PC’s Internet sync or 3G.  After compiling the information you need, you will be able to access those entries without being connected to the Internet. Even more, the articles are compressed and can easily fit onto your hard drive or storage card.
4. Other features of Unyverse Wikipedia include: bookmarking articles, downloading from hyperlinks, and customized page formatting for your phone.

WikiBySMS

SMS, or Short Messaging Service, is the technology that is generally used for sending and receiving text messages between cell phones; but SMS can also be used for other purposes, including Wikipedia. Of the two methods of accessing Wikipedia by phone, WikiBySMS is by far the simpler option. To use WikiBySMS, the requirement is that you have an SMS-enabled phone and also Internet access, even if for a short time. You will simply text the words about <search term> to 23907. A mobile friendly link will be dispatched back to your phone, which can be quickly accessed through your browser.