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
This article was posted on August 19, 2005
