Tag archive: text

Likely designed for people that haven't upgraded to a smartphone just yet, Twitter launched support for photo posting through sending a simple text message. While updating a Twitter account through text messages has long been a feature of the service, users haven't been able to transmit mobile pictures without the help of a Twitter application. Since Twitter launched text messaging support for users, approximately four billion SMS… Read More

It’s been a long time coming, but cheaper alternatives might be putting the final nails in the traditional text message’s coffin. Skype’s $85 million acquisition of GroupMe only reinforced the belief that the SMS is about to become a thing of the past. You had a good run, and were inarguably addictive. But it’s starting to look like SMS was just a gateway drug for the good stuff. Sure, we have the original SMS to thank for all of the superior… Read More

The gig is up: American cellphone users are quickly abandoning text messaging plans that make wireless companies bundles in profit, reports the Wall Street Journal. Americans sent and received over 1 trillion text messages in the second half of 2010, shows a study from wireless industry watcher CTIA. While that may sound high, it's actually only an 8.7 percent increase from the six months prior — the lowest jump to date. Until recently,… Read More

T-Mobile may lower its rates for unlimited data, sources tell TmoNews. The blog says that T-Mobile will lower the price of its “Even More individual unlimited plan to $79.99, down $20 from $99.99. For “Even More Plus” customers, the savings will be deeper with a price reduction to $69.99. The new plans should launch on Feb. 23, just in time for the release of the Samsung Galaxy S 4G. This is only the latest move T-Mobile has… Read More

Text messaging may be primarily the world of teenaged mallrats and iPhone-addicted 20-somethings, but a new survey from Sprint shows that older Americans are getting on board with the trend as well. While only 13 percent of Americans aged 50 to 64 used text messaging two years, ago, that number has grown to 20 percent more recently. The shift toward adult text messaging seems to be driven by adults texting their children to stay in touch.… Read More

It’s such a natural for search-related text ads that the amazing thing is that it hasn’t happened before. Google has added text ads to Google Maps. CNET reports that some map search queries bring up a blue background text ad at the bottom of the page, while others don’t. It seems to depend on the search term being used. However, the service is new, and will certainly change in future as people bid for keywords.… Read More

Teen drivers have it rough these days. Not only can parents use technology to call them at any moment and even monitor their locations via GPS, soon some will have anonymous tipsters calling in to report on their driving as well. A new company, aptly named Text Them In, Inc. has started offering trucker-style How’s My Driving stickers and service to parents of teens. By buying a sticker and slapping it onto the bumper of your… Read More

If you’re of a certain generation, you might well hate text speak. You know what it is, a mix of abbreviations, misspellings and numbers used as shorthand to communicate by text and instantmessaging.   If it truly annoys you, then you’re out of luck. A new survey by the Pew Internet & American Life Project has shown that teensadmit that text speak is finding its way into their school work. 50% says they use the informal… Read More

It’s rare that technology actually gets credit for improving parent-teen relations rather than purported serving as another generational divide, but Samsung claims text messaging has actually moved the two groups closer together. According to a survey commissioned by the Japanese mobile giant, teens report better relationships with their parents since picking up texting. The results show that 53 percent of teens who text would credit… Read More

Sending a text or having mobile Internet access while traveling from one European to another can be an expensive business – far too expensive, according to EU Commissioner Viviane Reding.   She’s told mobile operators throughout Europe to cut their charges before summer, or the EU will step in with regulations forcing a price reduction, the BBC has reported.   "Sending text messages or downloading other data via a… Read More

T-Mobile came under fire on Wednesday from a mob of angry users who are fed up with being charged for receiving text messages they don’t want. Consumers recently filed a class action lawsuit in a U.S. District Court in Seattle, claiming that T-Mobile is breaking the law by offering no option to opt out of text service, yet continuing to charge for received messages that users cannot control. According to RCR Wireless News, the… Read More

Back in 1999, Britons sent a billion text messages from their mobile phones during the entire year. According to a new study they now send that many texts every week.   The figure has evenshocked the Mobile Data Association, which had predicted around 42 billion texts for 2007.   It's a lot more convenient for a business now to notify lots oftheir employees about an urgent message using a text message," Mike Short, head of… Read More

If you’re in Boston and witness a crime, now you’ll be able to anonymously text in your tip to the police. The City of Boston Police Department had introduced the Text A Tip Program as a way to fight the rise in Beantown’s violent crimes.   People who want to help the police, users simply have to text the word ‘TIP’ to 27463 (which, handily, spells the word ‘crime’ on the keypad). The user’s… Read More

PayPal, today CTIA Wireless 2006, announced a text message-based service allowing North American consumers the ability to send money from their mobile phones. Dubbed PayPal Mobile, is now available through a variety of U.S. and Canadian wireless carriers. PayPal Mobile, said the online payment service, allows users the ability to send money, purchase items or donate to charities through their cellular phones. Consumers first register their… Read More

The popularity of text messaging via cell phones and other mobile devices has a definite downside: a sharp (ow!) increase in reported cases of repetitive stress injury. A new survey conducted for the U.K.'s Virgin Mobile finds that, compared to five years ago, 38 percent more people complain of injuries from sore wrists and thumbs due to SMS text messaging. Currently, a total of 3.8 million British mobile users now claim to suffer… Read More