SMS Weblogs / Textually / 2003 / 04

Howard Rheingold on Smart Mobs reports on an incident in Australia where a traffic controller was fire

Howard Rheingold on Smart Mobs reports on an incident in Australia where a traffic controller was fire

Authorities have arrested 13 people in southern China for spreading rumours about the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) epidemic by text messages, per a posting in Smart Mobs reflecting on an article published in The Australia

Authorities have arrested 13 people in southern China for spreading rumours about the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) epidemic by text messages, per a posting in Smart Mobs reflecting on an article published in The Australia

According to Cellular News, mobile phone subscribers in the USA now spend, on average, more minutes talking on their cellphones than they do on traditional landline phones, according to the Yankee Group's latest quarterly Wireless/Mobile North American Carrier Tracke

According to Cellular News, mobile phone subscribers in the USA now spend, on average, more minutes talking on their cellphones than they do on traditional landline phones, according to the Yankee Group's latest quarterly Wireless/Mobile North American Carrier Tracke

Scandinavian Airlines claims to be the first airline to allow the use of some mobile phone functions during fligh

Scandinavian Airlines claims to be the first airline to allow the use of some mobile phone functions during fligh

For governements handling of SMS related to SARS, check out the SMS and SARS category of textuall

For governements handling of SMS related to SARS, check out the SMS and SARS category of textuall

There are 53 million cell phones in Italian for 58 million inhabitants, a penetration rate of 93 percent, which makes it the third-highest in the world, and compares with 49 percent in the United States and 62 percent in Japan, according to the International Telecommunication Unio

There are 53 million cell phones in Italian for 58 million inhabitants, a penetration rate of 93 percent, which makes it the third-highest in the world, and compares with 49 percent in the United States and 62 percent in Japan, according to the International Telecommunication Unio

Radical-Tek has launched a wireless nightlife/gambling travel directory servic

Radical-Tek has launched a wireless nightlife/gambling travel directory servic

Mobile dating applications are proving to be amongst the most profitable data services for mobile operators according to SmartTrust and application developer Landma

Mobile dating applications are proving to be amongst the most profitable data services for mobile operators according to SmartTrust and application developer Landma

In an article on door-to-door salesmen in The Independant, Matthew Beard explains the difficulties faced by the struggling "direct-selling industry" due to competition from the Internet, two-income households where nobody is at home during the day and the increasing reluctance of people to open their door to stranger

In an article on door-to-door salesmen in The Independant, Matthew Beard explains the difficulties faced by the struggling "direct-selling industry" due to competition from the Internet, two-income households where nobody is at home during the day and the increasing reluctance of people to open their door to stranger

All Israelis live in constant worry that a terrorist bomb or shooting may have occurred and are all are hooked on the hourly radio news broacast

All Israelis live in constant worry that a terrorist bomb or shooting may have occurred and are all are hooked on the hourly radio news broacast

According to Anthony Ian Cruz, a spokesman for TXTPower (a consumer advocacy group), the Philippines, which has a population of almost 80 million, has 14 million to 16 million mobile phone users generating 150 million to 200 million text messages a day - one of the largest volumes in the worl

According to Anthony Ian Cruz, a spokesman for TXTPower (a consumer advocacy group), the Philippines, which has a population of almost 80 million, has 14 million to 16 million mobile phone users generating 150 million to 200 million text messages a day - one of the largest volumes in the worl

Yahoo UK will be launching in May, a pay-for-text alert service in support of it's free e-mail service, to inform users when important messages arriv

Yahoo UK will be launching in May, a pay-for-text alert service in support of it's free e-mail service, to inform users when important messages arriv

SMS News, Text Alerts and Hoaxes related to SARS have all been regrouped in a new SMS and SARS category on textuall

SMS News, Text Alerts and Hoaxes related to SARS have all been regrouped in a new SMS and SARS category on textuall

For text alerts related to SARS, check out the SMS and SARS category of textuall

For text alerts related to SARS, check out the SMS and SARS category of textuall

For rumors and hoaxes related to SARS, check out the SMS and SARS category of textuall

For rumors and hoaxes related to SARS, check out the SMS and SARS category of textuall

For SMS news and buzz related to SARS, check out the SMS and SARS category of textuall

For SMS news and buzz related to SARS, check out the SMS and SARS category of textuall

For text alerts related to SARS, check out the SMS and SARS category of textuall

For text alerts related to SARS, check out the SMS and SARS category of textuall

Verizon Airfone, a unit of the New York-based Baby Bell, has equipped Continental Airline's with its JetConnect service, allowing for instant messaging and texting on board, per Instant Messaging Plane

Verizon Airfone, a unit of the New York-based Baby Bell, has equipped Continental Airline's with its JetConnect service, allowing for instant messaging and texting on board, per Instant Messaging Plane

New research by Ingenuity Research in Australia, found that 25 percent of children between the ages of 6 and 13 own a cell phone, per an article in The Sun Heral

New research by Ingenuity Research in Australia, found that 25 percent of children between the ages of 6 and 13 own a cell phone, per an article in The Sun Heral

The police have identified the person who started a chain of false SMS messages about Jurong Point Shopping Centre, claiming a SARS outbreak at the shopping mal

The police have identified the person who started a chain of false SMS messages about Jurong Point Shopping Centre, claiming a SARS outbreak at the shopping mal

The growing popularity of mobile phones presents a big environmental challenge, as people regularly buy new handset

The growing popularity of mobile phones presents a big environmental challenge, as people regularly buy new handset

RafflesHealth, a subsidiary of the Raffles Medical Group in Singapore, develops and markets quality healthcare products to promote personal health including a first aid kit of sorts for SARS containing masks, a thermometer, some vitamin C and alcohol swab

RafflesHealth, a subsidiary of the Raffles Medical Group in Singapore, develops and markets quality healthcare products to promote personal health including a first aid kit of sorts for SARS containing masks, a thermometer, some vitamin C and alcohol swab

In early 2002, wireless technology company, Link77, specializing in the development and operation of innovative mobile services, launched an SMS Chatterbot* called NataChata, a sophisticated text chat application for adults, based on Artificial Intelligence, enabling users to engage in provocative and sex textin

In early 2002, wireless technology company, Link77, specializing in the development and operation of innovative mobile services, launched an SMS Chatterbot* called NataChata, a sophisticated text chat application for adults, based on Artificial Intelligence, enabling users to engage in provocative and sex textin

Turkcell has announced the commercial launch of a Mobile Payment service in Turkey, making Turkcell among the first European mobile operators to offer such a service, according to Cellular New

Turkcell has announced the commercial launch of a Mobile Payment service in Turkey, making Turkcell among the first European mobile operators to offer such a service, according to Cellular New

A prankster broke into the SARS Operation Center (Phillipines) texting system and sent thousands of messages from a computer which subsequently blocked incoming message

A prankster broke into the SARS Operation Center (Phillipines) texting system and sent thousands of messages from a computer which subsequently blocked incoming message

In a move which seems somewhat after the fact, Associated Newspapers has teamed with UK mobile Marketing genius Flytxt, to launch a wireless Iraqi news service by SMS, according to an article in netimperative

The service is aimed at readers of their newspapers (Metro, Evening Standard, Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday), providing them with updated premium conten

In a move which seems somewhat after the fact, Associated Newspapers has teamed with UK mobile Marketing genius Flytxt, to launch a wireless Iraqi news service by SMS, according to an article in netimperative

The service is aimed at readers of their newspapers (Metro, Evening Standard, Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday), providing them with updated premium conten

See My SMS has recently added to their litterary content catalogue for mobile phones, images and texts messages from Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's «The Little Prince

See My SMS has recently added to their litterary content catalogue for mobile phones, images and texts messages from Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's «The Little Prince

Italians are now to be able to receive video clips of financial news over their mobile phones offered by TV channel CFN/CNB

Italians are now to be able to receive video clips of financial news over their mobile phones offered by TV channel CFN/CNB

Hong Kong has one of the highest mobile penetration rates in the worl

Hong Kong has one of the highest mobile penetration rates in the worl

According to an article in French daily newspaper Libération, SMS rumors on SARS are flying in China, to the dismay of the governement who is at loss to control their outbrea

According to an article in French daily newspaper Libération, SMS rumors on SARS are flying in China, to the dismay of the governement who is at loss to control their outbrea

SMS campaigns for the launch of DVDs and video games are the next big thin

SMS campaigns for the launch of DVDs and video games are the next big thin

At a time when few media outlets have figured out how to get readers to pay for online news, more than 1 million subscribers are paying about $1 per month to access Asahi's wireless Web site via cell phon

At a time when few media outlets have figured out how to get readers to pay for online news, more than 1 million subscribers are paying about $1 per month to access Asahi's wireless Web site via cell phon

In the future, customs agents, police and other workers could carry cell phones that double as radiation detectors and serve as part of a vast, nationwide detection networ

In the future, customs agents, police and other workers could carry cell phones that double as radiation detectors and serve as part of a vast, nationwide detection networ

According to a post by Vin Crosbie on E-Media Tidbits, 2,5 millions SMS were sent to FOX TV's "American Idol", where spectators were able to vote, respond to polls, enter sweepstakes, and answer trivia quizze

According to a post by Vin Crosbie on E-Media Tidbits, 2,5 millions SMS were sent to FOX TV's "American Idol", where spectators were able to vote, respond to polls, enter sweepstakes, and answer trivia quizze

Per an article in Europemedia, in another matchmaking scheme targeting 13 to 25 year olds, Dutch subscribers to mobile operator 02 can request the location of another subscribers by sending the operator a relevant cell phone numbe

Per an article in Europemedia, in another matchmaking scheme targeting 13 to 25 year olds, Dutch subscribers to mobile operator 02 can request the location of another subscribers by sending the operator a relevant cell phone numbe

See My SMS, a Paris based company run by Alexandra de Waresquiel, is single handedly raising the level of quality for content on mobile phone

See My SMS, a Paris based company run by Alexandra de Waresquiel, is single handedly raising the level of quality for content on mobile phone

See My SMS, a Paris based company run by Alexandra de Waresquiel, is single handedly raising the level of quality for content on mobile phone

See My SMS, a Paris based company run by Alexandra de Waresquiel, is single handedly raising the level of quality for content on mobile phone

A tiny Gaelic guide to texting -- an infamously difficult language spoken by fewer than 60,000 Scots -- is now available to mobile phone user

A tiny Gaelic guide to texting -- an infamously difficult language spoken by fewer than 60,000 Scots -- is now available to mobile phone user

Mobile services in Europe will generate a total of Euro 23 billion ($ 25 billion) by 2005, according to a new report from market analysts Strand Consult, "How to make money on mobile services", per Europemedi

Mobile services in Europe will generate a total of Euro 23 billion ($ 25 billion) by 2005, according to a new report from market analysts Strand Consult, "How to make money on mobile services", per Europemedi

In a shocking revelation during a trial, a student rape victim told the court that her aggressor picked up her mobile phone during her two-hour ordeal and sent a boastful text message, according to an article in This is Local Londo

In a shocking revelation during a trial, a student rape victim told the court that her aggressor picked up her mobile phone during her two-hour ordeal and sent a boastful text message, according to an article in This is Local Londo

Mobile phone companies are turning to pornographic content in a bid to recoup the billions they spent on third generation licences but Vodafone has become the first operator to announce a detailed strategy for mobile adult conten

Mobile phone companies are turning to pornographic content in a bid to recoup the billions they spent on third generation licences but Vodafone has become the first operator to announce a detailed strategy for mobile adult conten

According to Senior Analyst Philip Taylor of Strategy Analytics: "the advantages of the mobile phone as a personal and discrete device for viewing pornography are overstate

According to Senior Analyst Philip Taylor of Strategy Analytics: "the advantages of the mobile phone as a personal and discrete device for viewing pornography are overstate

China Mobile's subscribers sent more than 80 billion short messages in 2002 and the company expects this number to reach 120 billion in 2003, according to Cellular New

China Mobile's subscribers sent more than 80 billion short messages in 2002 and the company expects this number to reach 120 billion in 2003, according to Cellular New

Text messages now account for more than half of the threats of violence or intimidation recorded in The Lothians (Scotland), and have been largely responsible for a massive rise in threatening behaviour being reported to the police over the last 12 months, according to the Edinburgh New

Text messages now account for more than half of the threats of violence or intimidation recorded in The Lothians (Scotland), and have been largely responsible for a massive rise in threatening behaviour being reported to the police over the last 12 months, according to the Edinburgh New

In order to promote SMS and MMS, China Mobile, Motorola and Sohu (a content provider) have pooled their knowledge to allow for the sending of text and picture messages during an expedition up the world's highest mountain, Mount Everes

In order to promote SMS and MMS, China Mobile, Motorola and Sohu (a content provider) have pooled their knowledge to allow for the sending of text and picture messages during an expedition up the world's highest mountain, Mount Everes

GolfSmart introduces a new service allowing clubs to send members and Pay&Play golfers information on green time availability, merchandising and forthcoming events via SMS, according to 160character

GolfSmart introduces a new service allowing clubs to send members and Pay&Play golfers information on green time availability, merchandising and forthcoming events via SMS, according to 160character

Dutch mail order retailer Wehkamp has announced an agreement with Vodafone Live, to be the first shop on Vodafone Live’s

Dutch mail order retailer Wehkamp has announced an agreement with Vodafone Live, to be the first shop on Vodafone Live’s

Hong Kong mobile operator Sunday Communications is offering it's subscribers SMS text alerts enabling them to locate infected SARS areas; buildings or neighbourhoods where people are known to be infected with SAR

Hong Kong mobile operator Sunday Communications is offering it's subscribers SMS text alerts enabling them to locate infected SARS areas; buildings or neighbourhoods where people are known to be infected with SAR

In many European countries (the Netherlands, Sweden, Germany, Britain and Austria), mobile phones can now be used to buy lottery tickets, bet on sporting events or enter sweepstakes for prize

In many European countries (the Netherlands, Sweden, Germany, Britain and Austria), mobile phones can now be used to buy lottery tickets, bet on sporting events or enter sweepstakes for prize

From an Internet-equipped computer in Iraq, soldiers can now broadcast text messages onto cell phone screens across the worl

From an Internet-equipped computer in Iraq, soldiers can now broadcast text messages onto cell phone screens across the worl

Per Wireless News Factor, the cell phone browser war has only just begu

Per Wireless News Factor, the cell phone browser war has only just begu

Vodafone introduces Friendzone, a platform that allows Vodafone subscribers to communicate via SMS in an environment that resembles online chat-room

Vodafone introduces Friendzone, a platform that allows Vodafone subscribers to communicate via SMS in an environment that resembles online chat-room

Users will also be able to report unsolicited messages to the The South Africa's Marketing Federation(MFSA) who has set up a code of practice that will govern SMS messaging, accroding to Cellular New

Users will also be able to report unsolicited messages to the The South Africa's Marketing Federation(MFSA) who has set up a code of practice that will govern SMS messaging, accroding to Cellular New

The world's first internet reality game show called The Ark, launches on Easter Sunday and a txt alert service supplies news and stories to UK subscribers, according to 160character

The world's first internet reality game show called The Ark, launches on Easter Sunday and a txt alert service supplies news and stories to UK subscribers, according to 160character

Young Moroccans in the Netherlands are often denied access in clubs, because of - they claim - racial profilin

Young Moroccans in the Netherlands are often denied access in clubs, because of - they claim - racial profilin

Howard Rheingold has an entry on Smart Mobs on the latest British porn spam that came in his mailbox, suggesting the sale of a Mobile Phone Erotic Massager called "'Purring Kitty

Howard Rheingold has an entry on Smart Mobs on the latest British porn spam that came in his mailbox, suggesting the sale of a Mobile Phone Erotic Massager called "'Purring Kitty

12snap and iCoupon have partnered to launch a service delivering barcodes to mobile phone

12snap and iCoupon have partnered to launch a service delivering barcodes to mobile phone

This week in wireless industry standard TheFeatur

This week in wireless industry standard TheFeatur

EMAP, one of the UK's leading media companies, is introducing a range of SMS text messaging services for its biking magazines, to increase customer interaction and brand loyalt

EMAP, one of the UK's leading media companies, is introducing a range of SMS text messaging services for its biking magazines, to increase customer interaction and brand loyalt

EMAP, one of the UK's leading media companies, is introducing a range of SMS text messaging services for its biking magazines, to increase customer interaction and brand loyalt

EMAP, one of the UK's leading media companies, is introducing a range of SMS text messaging services for its biking magazines, to increase customer interaction and brand loyalt

A runner will be fund raising on behalf of the Alzheimer's Society, as he participates in the London Marathon next Sunda

A runner will be fund raising on behalf of the Alzheimer's Society, as he participates in the London Marathon next Sunda

Most teens and young adults in Japan don't use computers to surf the Interne

Most teens and young adults in Japan don't use computers to surf the Interne

Coming soon to a cell phone near you: A personal assistant that scours the Web for news and information, then lines up a list of must-see stories, photos and videos for you to review next time you check i

Coming soon to a cell phone near you: A personal assistant that scours the Web for news and information, then lines up a list of must-see stories, photos and videos for you to review next time you check i

The telecommunications industry is benefiting from the double whammy of the Iraq war and the SARS outbreak, according to an article in the Straits Times, with some telcos experiencing a 10 to 20 per cent increase in SMS traffic sent since the war bega

The telecommunications industry is benefiting from the double whammy of the Iraq war and the SARS outbreak, according to an article in the Straits Times, with some telcos experiencing a 10 to 20 per cent increase in SMS traffic sent since the war bega

SingTel’s mobile customers will be able to send and receive Video Multimedia Messages (MMS

SingTel’s mobile customers will be able to send and receive Video Multimedia Messages (MMS

According to an article in the BBC, kids may be depending on their mobiles to boost their self-estee

According to an article in the BBC, kids may be depending on their mobiles to boost their self-estee

Some analysts suggest that the future of 3G wireless telephony depends on porn as it's one of the few services people are prepared to pay for, and its availability could spur the purchase of new cell phone

Some analysts suggest that the future of 3G wireless telephony depends on porn as it's one of the few services people are prepared to pay for, and its availability could spur the purchase of new cell phone

America Online is offering "

America Online is offering "

Great news for us here in Switzerlan

Great news for us here in Switzerlan

An interesting roundup of answers from the Economist on why America lags behind in sending text messages:

-- "The short answer is that, in America, talk is chea

An interesting roundup of answers from the Economist on why America lags behind in sending text messages:

-- "The short answer is that, in America, talk is chea

Cardinal Jaime Sin, the archbishop of Manila, who helped oust two Philippine presidents over alleged corruption, was taken to the hospital on Sunday after he collapsed while performing mas

Cardinal Jaime Sin, the archbishop of Manila, who helped oust two Philippine presidents over alleged corruption, was taken to the hospital on Sunday after he collapsed while performing mas

In a world first, The Norwegian Inland Revenue is giving Norwegians the chance to complete their tax returns by text messag

In a world first, The Norwegian Inland Revenue is giving Norwegians the chance to complete their tax returns by text messag

Following reports on rumors sent out by people in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, now it's the governement of Hong Kong who has launched it's own SMS campaign to 6 million mobile phones users, quelling a report that designated Hong Kong as an "infected city

Following reports on rumors sent out by people in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, now it's the governement of Hong Kong who has launched it's own SMS campaign to 6 million mobile phones users, quelling a report that designated Hong Kong as an "infected city

Global Networks Switzerland and UNICEF have signed an agreement to raise funds for Iraqi children through a worldwide SMS text messaging campaig

Global Networks Switzerland and UNICEF have signed an agreement to raise funds for Iraqi children through a worldwide SMS text messaging campaig

The Government of Irak has ordered all citizens to hand in their satellite phones, saying that they have been used as targets by the coalition forces and helped guide missiles to Badgha

The Government of Irak has ordered all citizens to hand in their satellite phones, saying that they have been used as targets by the coalition forces and helped guide missiles to Badgha

Arab satellite channel Al Jazeera has launched a breaking news alert service by SMS, in English and Arab, in 130 countrie

Arab satellite channel Al Jazeera has launched a breaking news alert service by SMS, in English and Arab, in 130 countrie

Since March 28 and for two weeks, per an article in wonderful 160character

Since March 28 and for two weeks, per an article in wonderful 160character

Following last week's posting on SARS rumours and remedies (the severe acute respiratory syndrom which manifests as a penumonia-like illness) as well as protests on the public health policy sent out by SMS, 3 deaths were reported in Kuala Lumpur over the past three day

Following last week's posting on SARS rumours and remedies (the severe acute respiratory syndrom which manifests as a penumonia-like illness) as well as protests on the public health policy sent out by SMS, 3 deaths were reported in Kuala Lumpur over the past three day

Dutch Catholicss can dedicate more time to prayer and works of charity this Lent -- with the help of their mobile phones, according to an article in Zeni

Dutch Catholicss can dedicate more time to prayer and works of charity this Lent -- with the help of their mobile phones, according to an article in Zeni

Wireless marketing company Enpocket is delivering text campaigns to promote the launch of 20th Century Fox's new thriller Phone Booth, starring Colin Farrel, Kaite Holmes, Kiefer Sutherlan

Wireless marketing company Enpocket is delivering text campaigns to promote the launch of 20th Century Fox's new thriller Phone Booth, starring Colin Farrel, Kaite Holmes, Kiefer Sutherlan

Per an article in 160character

Per an article in 160character

This is obviously an April Fool's Joke (I certainly hope so!), but I will forward it nevertheles

This is obviously an April Fool's Joke (I certainly hope so!), but I will forward it nevertheles

On the 3rd of April 1973, thirty years ago, Dr Martin Cooper, today a trim, white-haired dapper septuagenarian who holds eight patents, most of them in wireless communications technology, made the first cell phone call, in a demonstration outside a Hilton Hotel in New York, that became the first step towards a massive change in the way we communicat

On the 3rd of April 1973, thirty years ago, Dr Martin Cooper, today a trim, white-haired dapper septuagenarian who holds eight patents, most of them in wireless communications technology, made the first cell phone call, in a demonstration outside a Hilton Hotel in New York, that became the first step towards a massive change in the way we communicat