Abstract: A system for obtaining information and communicating comprising: a browser for a cell phone; providing a transmission path which at least partially includes the SMS channel; installing the browser on a cell phone; the browser displaying a GUI on the cell phone; a user formatting an query for information; the query being determined in response to entries on the keypad as determined by navigation by the user through the GUI; transmitting the query via the transmission path; obtaining the requested information from a data source; transmitting the information to the cell phone via the transmission path; and displaying the information in the GUI on the cell phone display. The information may be obtained from a local database or from the Internet. The information may be an e-mail message or a portion of an e-mail message. The query may be for transmission of information only when the information changes.