The Short Message Service (SMS), more commonly known as text
messaging, is currently the most used mobile phone service.
Frantic wrist action is enjoyed everywhere, even to the point of
etiquette, as consumers are spotted texting in restaurants and
bars, at weddings and in meetings. The semi-anonymity of ‘text’
seems key to its popularity, as it provides a comfortable amount
of distance, but allows almost instant communication. The world
of SMS is expanding so rapidly that many people are of the
opinion that text will overtake talk as the preferred form of
communication. It could be argued that a great percentage of
people find “text” easier and perhaps less embarrassing to
articulate their thoughts. Many intimate confessions have been
communicated by text, including the recent escapades of Paris
Hilton and Charlotte Church.
Research suggests that introverts prefer texting as they have
the opportunity to think about what to say, removing the
pressure of articulating an instance response. Some people also
find text a useful time-saving medium by removing the
opportunity for small-talk. With text, mobile users can get
straight to the point, much appreciated by people who simply do
not enjoy talking on the phone.
Text opportunities are endless. The Live 8 ticket lottery was a
very high profile use of text. Over 26 million people took part
in the text messaging campaign this month to support the work of
Live 8. Throughout the concerts, viewers were urged to send a
text message consisting of their names in order to strengthen
the message sent to the world leaders. As text is such a
convenient option, many believe that this campaign was more
successful than a “phone in” campaign would have been. The
appeal posed little challenge for the public viewers, who
sitting in the comfort of their own homes, could easily reach
for their mobile phone and interact with the Live 8 campaign.
Furthermore, the lucky concert attendees were encouraged to send
a quick text in between dancing to the live acts. As this took
very little effort the response rate to the text appeal was
phenomenal.
There are many companies keen to exploit entertainment products
and packages through mobile phones. The media industry,
particularly radio and reality TV shows, is continuing to cash
in on this popular method of communication by engaging viewers
to text in and express their opinion. Hit TV shows, such as Big
Brother, Pop Idol and Celebrity Love Island, are inundated with
texts from the public wishing to save their favourite person.
Other media companies promote text as a convenient way to enter
competitions. Text messages ease the tedious routine of entering
a competition via a phone call, where engaged lines and
automated instructions are inevitable, they are also faster and
less hassle than snail mail and often more cost-effective.
Entertainment isn’t the only industry to exploit SMS. According
to textually.org, the top 10 uses for SMS in the US include:
1) Alerting mobile technicians to system errors
2) Alerting mobile execs to urgent voice messages
3) Confirming with mobile sales personnel that a faxed order was
received
4) Informing travellers of delays and changes
5) Enabling contract workers to receive and accept project
offers
6) Keeping stock traders up to date on urgent stock activity
7) Reminding data services subscribers about daily updates
8) Alerting doctors to urgent patient situations
9) Letting mobile sales teams input daily sales figures into
corporate database
10) Sending mobile sales reps reminders of appointments and
other schedule details
A more advanced form of text messaging, dubbed the XHIBIT,
involves witnesses in criminal court cases automatically
receiving a text when they are due to appear in court. Many have
favoured this easy method, claiming it effectively reduces the
time witnesses of crime have to spend waiting around in court.
This is also in place to support the police force, who claim
that less time is wasted in the court through this technology.
Research suggests that XHIBIT text could save 80,000 police days
every year.
Additionally, text provides an additional medium for support
services. Examples include encouraging messages for those trying
to give up smoking and messages of advice for those suffering
from anxiety problems. Furthermore, some people rely on
receiving texts with the latest news, such as stock quotes and
weather updates.
With the digital and communications market expanding so rapidly,
research suggests that text will continue to see many
improvements and will consequently become a more fundamental
part of our everyday lives.
For more information about text opportunities and the latest
developments see:
http://www.sonyericsson.com http://www.newindpress.com/
http://www.ngfl.gov.uk/news http://www.textually.org
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