Boston Fights Crime Through Text Messaging

Boston's police, have set up a system to allow witnesses to tip them off to crime by sending anonymous text messages.

Boston Police Commissioner Edward Davis said the "Text a Tip Program," announced on Friday, appeared to be the first in the nation to combine cell phone text messaging with an anonymous police tip line.

From technical perspective, this mimics MESSAGEbuzz's Support2U, an add-on to CRM systems.

If anyone has questions or would like to know more about MESSAGEbuzz's Support2U add-on, please contact us .

Klem

iPhone, Music and SDK (or lack of one)

British firm Omnifone said it had signed content deals with the four biggest music groups in the industry and had agreements with 30 mobile operators in a bid to steal the thunder of the much-hyped iPhone made by iPod maker Apple.

The service called MusicStation will be suitable for 75 percent of mobile handsets already available in the market and will launch first in Sweden on Thursday with Scandinavian operator Telenor.

I am still steaming about the lack of SDK for iPhone. Microsoft learned long time ago that third party application providers add to the core system. Just think how horrible it would be if we would not have any third-party Active-X controls.

Nevertheless, having ability to write for Web 2.0 might sound good, but it is not what users really want. Not everyone have unlimited data access. Apple should rethink their approach to SDK on iPhones. - Klem

I used to have a mobile phone

PC World has some fun pictures.

Heftier: Nokia Mobira Senator (1982)
Introduced in 1982, the Nokia Mobira Senator was designed for use in cars. After all, you wouldn't want to use this phone while walking: It weighed about 21 pounds.

Do you think it had SMS?

MESSAGEbuzz and MooseJaw

MESSAGEbuzz and a leading outdoor adventure retailer, Moosejaw Mountaineering, just completed incredibly successful text messaging campaign. It is one of many campaigns that will come from them.

They are using SMS in four different ways:

1.) Package tracking for their customers
2.) Text2Win
3.) Customer service
4.) Add hock promotions

My favorite is:

"Text me back with Rock, Paper or Scissors. I already know what I'm throwing and if you beat me I'll add 100 Moosejaw Points to your account now."

It was an offer the majority of customers could not refuse. They received 66% response rate!!!

But look at the response that they sent back:

"Paper and you lose. Please note that I haven't lost once since I lost to Machiavelli in 1521. I am adding the 100 Moosejaw points to your account anyway"


Their add hock campaign, advertised only on a banner on their website, "name the worst movie ever and receive Moosejaw Points" generated another flurry of responses.

But these are just samples of their success. The integration of SMS into their branding should be a case study in how to use SMS. They got the fact that it is content that makes SMS campaigns a success.

Also, the addition to their customers service, where anyone can text in question and receive a response back is really a huge addition to their overall service. Most importantly it appeals to their target audience.

We created a really nice sms-email-sms for their CSRs.

All in all, the only thing I can say about their camapigns is: "These guys are good". -Klem

Life Insurance by SMS

Company is South Africa is offering life insurance by SMS. Service is called Cover2go.

The service costs around R10 (approx $1), which is deducted from the phone's airtime and provides instant life insurance for six days, paying out R60,000 (approx $6,300) in the case of accidental death.

"Common perception is that life assurance is a luxury that's unaffordable and complicated to obtain. With Cover2go, people can get basic cover instantly, at very affordable prices, when they need it most," says Derek Pead, CEO of Cover2go, a division of Metropolitan Life.

I cannot imagine that service as such will not be available in the US in a near future! Klem

Do as I say, not as I do

California State Senator Carole Migden, who voted last year to impose a fine for using a cell phone while driving, crashed her SUV into another car while talking on her cell phone.

While I dislike talking on the phone while driving, I think that there is a lesson to be learned here - Klem

Equity Firms to Buy Alltel in $27.5 Billion Deal

Alltel, the wireless phone company, agreed last night to be sold to a consortium of private equity firms for $27.5 billion, marking the largest buyout ever in the telecommunications industry.

I think that telecommunication industry, as well as 3rd party content providers, will go through a period of buying and selling. I have not made up my mind yet whether that is a good thing or not. My fear is that lack of competition will stifle the progress. On the other hand, more standardization in protocols could sure help us all. - Klem

Motorola Introduces Linux Phone

At a New York press conference this morning, Motorola's CEO Ed Zander introduced Linux-based "Rokr" and "Razr2" models.

Motorola announced plans to adopt Linux more than four years ago. In the weeks ahead, as the company's Linux-based MotoRokr Z6 (formerly known as the MotoRizr Z6) rolls out around world, we should see a lot of interesting development.

I really have no comments about this. I run some Linux at home, but I am not a great fan of it. - Klem

US Presidential Politics

Hillary Clinton has launched a mobile-to-mobile text-message campaign in an effort to reach more of America’s cell phone users.

"By harnessing the power of text messaging, we can engage voters in the political process using the latest technology and provide personalized, local campaign updates to our supporters nationwide.”, according to the statement from her campaign

While MESSAGEbuzz is not the service provider working with her, we have helped both political and grassroots campaigns in the past. For more information on MESSAGEbuzz's expertize in constructing and integrating text messaging into an overall political campaigns visit MESSAGEbuzz and request the information.

If you read my previous posts, I believe that Ms. Clinton, has tapped into something very powerful. The question remaining is: Will her text messaging campaign be properly and successfully integrated into her overall campaign strategy?

Klem

Microsoft Partners Announce New Phones, Devices

During Windows Hardware Engineering Conference in Los Angeles the week of May 14 , Microsoft's partners are expected to announce 15 new phones and devices.

Device manufacturers, which include LG-Nortel, NEC, Plantronics, Polycom and Samsung

Microsoft's efforts in this space are concentrated around their soon to be released Office Communications Server 2007 and Office Communicator 20007.

While MESSAGEbuzz uses both J2ME and CF .NET, I must admit that I am very excited at the news.

One thing that is still missing in the mobile arena is the proverbial "killer app". Simply rewriting or modifying existing desktop and/or web applications will not get us there.

Klem

“Mobile Amnesia”

ZYB reveals that Britons are suffering from phone number amnesia, with almost three quarters of the population (69%) unable to remember even five numbers stored on their mobile phone.

Against this backdrop, ZYB has announced that it is launching its free service, that allows subscribers to store their mobile phone data online.

I love the idea. I think that ZYB is onto something really interesting. Does anyone know about similar service in the US? Let me know - Klem

Filing your income tax by SMS

I know that it is past April, 15th but I came accross an interesting info.

Manila Bulletin Online reported that Bureau of Internal Revenue in the Philippines offers a service called Paybir.

This is unique and could be the first in the world where a taxpayer can pay his income tax through a text message without going to the BIR or a bank."

I hope that US markets, and especially the carriers recognize unlimited possibilities of SMS - Klem

In-flight text messaging

Financial Times reports that JetBlue is examining the potential for in-flight text messaging. In my previous post, I wrote about FCC's decision not to allow cell phone usage on the planes as one of more positive decisions that they had made. Text Messaging is different. No noise, no yapping just typing.

I hope that JetBlue decides to implement the technology.

Klem

Mobile 2.0 - Myth or Reality?

You probably heard people talking about Mobile 2.0 Some claim that is revolution, already started, that will dramatically change the web and the mobility landscape that we currently know. But some, simply think that we are all dreaming and mainframes will take over the world.

A while ago, Financial Times wrote: "Mobile phones are cheaper than PCs, there are three times more of them, growing at twice the speed, and they increasingly have Internet access. What is more, the World Bank estimates that more than two-thirds of the world's population lives within range of a mobile phone network. Mobile is going to be the next big Internet phenomenon. It holds the key to greater access for everyone - with all the benefits that entails."

The idea is that the mobile access to the web will become the dominant access method. Devices will become more hybrid and networks will become more powerful.

I do agree that we are already living in a mobile revolution. Somehow, I am always skeptical of people proclaiming the next 2.0 , 3.0 or 3.5 ideas. Nevertheless, Mobile 2.0 is reality and here to stay.

Presidential Election Results by SMS

French citizens will be able to sign up for an SMS alert with the first estimated results of the presidential elections on Sunday, as of 6 pm.

To see such service being put in place is encouraging. I am a strong believer that text messaging is grossly underutilized as a tool in politics and specifically in political campaigns.

MESSAGEbuzz has worked with political campaigns, on a local level, before. However, I have not seen text messaging being used as a fully integrated aspect of the political campaigns. The first successful integration of text messaging and mobile technology on a national level will gain visibility as well as the ability to connect to potential voters in new and exciting ways.

If you want to learn more about utilization of text messaging in politics, send me an email and I will be happy to talk to you. - Klem

Nokia joins mobile wallet plan

Reuters reports that Nokia, the world's biggest handset maker, and wireless-service operators have solidified a global initiative to turn mobile phones into wallets.

Nokia, Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics, will embed a wireless chip into its phones.

MasterCard, is also involved in the initiative.

Trials are set to start in October.

I believe that we will see more and more of such functionality come up. However, due to the cost of new phones with new chips, SMS payments systems will not go away. As a matter of fact, I believe that within next 6-12 mounts we will see explosive growth of SMS payments in the US.
- Klem

Text-messaging as public art

Text to Screen (Txt2Screen) applications have been around for a while. MESSAGEbuzz has an add-on text to screen module for our core Spearhead messaging portal application.
It has been used in Bars and Clubs. Response was good, but filtering was a nightmare. People tend to text in statements that I would not dare to repeat in front of my parents.

However, some people see it differently.

Concordia professor Jason Lewis views text messaging as art. “We wanted to explore ways that cell phones and PDAs could be used as venues for creative expression, entertainment and interactivity.”, Lewis said.

Lewis, an assistant professor in Design and Computation Arts and the Graduate Certificate Program Director, presented his latest project to a packed auditorium in the final installment of this year’s Defiant Imagination lecture series at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts on March 22, 2006.

His exhibition invites you to send text messages to giant projection and LCD screens around the world that normally are reserved for commercial interests. The text is processed using visualization software and a stream of interactive moving text is created. The result is art.

I believe that text to screen can be a great addition to any bar, club or conference venue.... but please review the messages before you put them on a screen.

News from MESSAGEBuzz

I am finally back.... Its been a bit crazy here at MESSAGEbuzz. We been running new campaigns, developing new mobile sites and writing few small monitoring J2ME application. I want to let everyone know that without WURFL I would tear off few remaining hairs that I still have left.

What is WURFL?

The WURFL is an XML configuration file which contains information about capabilities and features of several wireless devices.

It is a great collection of the device information that will make your mobile websites look and work much, much better.

Take a look everyone - it truly is a good thing. - Klem

RSS to text messages

MESSAGEbuzz is happy to announce a release of a new product called Feed2Me. Feed2Me converts RSS and ATOM feeds to text messages.

How does it work?

After opening an account with MESSAGEbuzz, Feed2Me allows anyone with RSS feed to convert their posts into text messages. Their feed is assigned a keyword. Anyone can then subscribe to the feed by texting assigned keyword to 35350. Anyone that subscribes will receive a text message each time the feed is updated.

Owner of the feed can format text messages in multiple ways. You can include or exclude title, publishing date, description, message prefix and sufix, and sponsored by fields.

Here are some samples of different formats of the same post:

Sample 1

From MESSAGEbuzz: SMS and Farming
Farming has gone high tech in the last few decades. Soil analyzers, GPS positioning and satellite imaging...
STOP2QUIT

This message contains prefix, title and description fields

Sample 2

SMS and Farming
Farming has gone high tech in the last few decades. Soil analyzers, GPS positioning and satellite imaging among others, have...
STOP2QUIT

This message contains title and description fields

Sample 3

SMS and Farming
Farming has gone high tech in the last few decades. Soil analyzers, GPS positioning and satellite...
Sponsored By: Celledia
STOP2QUIT

This message contains title, description and sponsored by fields.

We are really happy that this product has finally been released. Maybe our fearless leader will let us out of the basement now....but again .... I am not so sure about that. - Klem

SMS and Farming

Farming has gone high tech in the last few decades. Soil analyzers, GPS positioning and satellite imaging among others, have all been used to increase the yiellds.

Now Text messaging is starting to be used as well

Farmers in parts of central Queensland can now receive their local weather details sent via text message. In a new project in the Gindi farming area, a network of 13 automated weather stations has been established to gather data for grower use. The stations measure temperature, relative humidity and wind speed.

MESSAGEbuzz has began working with KC Enterprises, an irregation automatization company that provides irrigation systems to farmers. We have enabled their systems to send a text message to their field operatives, whenever the systems reports loss of water pressure, loss of signal, etc.

I see a huge potential in enabeling any type of monitoring device with SMS capabilities. - Klem

SMS Poets Wanted

To celebrate World Poetry Day, T-Mobile UK is inviting Brits to become the country’s first ‘Txt laureate’ by texting the best romantic SMS poem to win cash prizes of up to £1000.

Lysa McIntyre, T-Mobile’s Head of Beyond Voice, said: “Lovers clearly adore the joy of text – and every day millions of love messages are sent and received across the UK. It means romantic poetry is flourishing, even though love letters are a thing of the past, and we want to find and preserve the best in our competition to find the UK’s Txt laureate.”

I like that. Poetry should be flourishing and if that means in only 160 characters so be it - Klem

Bluetooth Marketing

Asian food brand called " Go-Tan" tested a Bluetooth marketing campaign in a Dutch supermarket.

Anyone walking within a 100 yards distance who has an open Bluetooth connection, received a message indicating the discounted Go-Tan products available in the store.

Bluetooth and proximity marketing, as well as GPS location based marketing is expected to gain bigger prominence in mobile arena.

We are exploring it - Klem

Interesting Cellphone usage statistics

Cellular News has a good article concerning usage of cellphones by Americans.

Here at MESSAGEbuzz, we collect lots of cellphone and text messaging statistics. But take a look below at some of the good ones.

24% of cell-using adults report they often feel like they have to answer their cell phones even when it interrupts a meeting or a meal.

22% of cell owners say they are not always truthful about exactly where they are when they are on the phone. Younger users are much more likely to say they are not always honest about where they are: 39% of cell users ages 18-29 say that.

Fully 65% have taken a step to personalize the phone in some way, such as by changing the wall paper or adding ring tones to the phone - that explains all the bad ringtones that I hear around me

40% of landline users between the ages of 18 and 29 say they are very likely or somewhat likely to give up their landlines and go cell-only. That compares to 19% of landline owners 30 and older who are pondering a similar switch to cells.

These are just a few examples..... and no, I do not have home landline. - Klem

Text messaging blocked in Cambodia

AP reports that text messaging will be blocked during last weekend's local elections in Cambodia, where the government is imposing a two-day "tranquility period".
Voters were being inundated with campaign messages.

Since you heard me rant and rave about lack of text messaging in US political campaigns, story above shows something just opposite...

Sometimes less is more.

Klem

Cellphone mobile web adds

The next time you check a cell phone's Internet weather report on a cold and rainy day and see ads for umbrellas and Caribbean vacations, it might not be a coincidence, reports News & Observer.

The announcement of this "weather-triggering" technology is expected at the CTIA Wireless industry show in Orlando, Fla.

I think that this type of advertising will be a positive development for the mobile web.

Klem

FCC finally gets something right

I am not the biggest fan of FCC but today I actually agree with them

FCC Chairman Kevin Martin said Thursday that he has asked the commission to end its inquiry into whether mobile phones can be used safely on airplanes

The FCC's proceeding to lift the ban on mobile phones, launched in December 2004, also drew comments from thousands of passengers who supported the ban.

Just a thought of someone sitting next to me and yapping on a phone for three hours makes me want to drive, bike, walk or crawl, regardless how long would it take me. Thank you FCC.

Klem

Cell Phones as Debit Cards

Belgian firm Banksys specializing in electronic payments, said on Tuesday, that within a few months, customers will be able to use their cell phones as debit cards.

"Using text messaging, the payment system will allow consumers to pay anything from six euros up to the limit of their bank account" said Chief Executive Vincent Roland.

Also, in what is being touted as a world first, Kenya's biggest mobile operator is allowing subscribers to send cash to other phone users by text message, The Guardian reports.


Known as M-Pesa, or mobile money, the service is expected to revolutionize banking in a country where more than 80% of people are excluded from the formal financial sector.

I believe financial sector in the US, is huge, and so far unrealized opportunity for mobile technology, as well as financial sector companies.

Donations, small payments, deposit and payment alerts are just a few ideas that could be implemented. However, due to costs and regulations, donations payments and money transfers might be hard to established.

I really want to buy my morning paper and coffee by sending a text message.

Klem

Amnesty International Launches a Mobile Phone Service

Amnesty International USA has launched its own branded cell-phone service, Amnesty Wireless, running over the Sprint CDMA network.

"Our members want to do all they can to support human rights," said Larry Cox, executive director of Amnesty International USA. "But they are also busy people. Amnesty Wireless makes it easier for them to make a difference every day."

Interesting aspect of this is that users can also signup for Citizen Action alerts text messaging service, informing them of urgent human-rights issues that need their support.

I love to see social activism using cell phone technology. In the near future, I will be posting a week long set of articles discussing all aspects of text messaging in politics.

Klem

Web Portals Bet On Cellphones

Mobile web is on the rise.... but is the quality of mobile web on the rise too?

Yesterday, Yahoo said a mobile version of its search service is now available on more than 100 million wireless phones, or 85% of those in the U.S.

Nearly 20% of all mobile users worldwide say they plan to spend more time using the Web with wireless devices this year, according to a survey commissioned by the Online Publishers Association.

About 76% of consumers in the U.S. and Western Europe can access the Web on their mobile devices, though only about a third of them are doing so. The question, apart from data plan prices is why.

Companies try to cram too much information onto their mobile website resulting in slow, unreadable, graphics heavy pages that turn off the user.

Return ratio on mobile web pages is small, precisely because of the poor implementation.

Yes, MESSAGEbuzz, designs, develops and implements mobile website. We are very good at it, precisely because we evaluate our clients needs and consult them on the right amount of information that needs to be on their mobile website.

Big, graphics heavy, bloated mobile websites are my pet peeve. I hate to wait for 3 min. so that company's logo can load. I am gone way before that. - Klem

SMS and Education

We are working with WordSmart to deliver "Word of the Day".

"For teens and adults alike, text messages are the most convenient method to receive their 'Word of the Day'." told us WordSmart's Director of eMarketing, Kirk Mackay.

My fearless leader (our CEO), made me sign up for the service. He hopes that my vocabulary will finaly increase past Basic, Cobol and C#. (We love you Steve)

Joking aside, text messaging is being used on campuses all over the United States. MESSAGEbuzz has worked with education organizations before. Campaigns for USC and Neosho County Community College has shown that text messaging can be a powerful communication tool in the student communities.

Now, Cy-nap is hosting a one day conference 27th March at Leeds University focussing on the uses of SMS in the Education sector in the UK. The conference is designed as a showcase for creative uses of SMS.

When I asked if I could attend, my fearless leader told me that with my limited vocabulary, they would throw me off a campus.

I am reading Wordsmart's word of the day and hoping that I will be able to go next year. - Klem

Coaches turn to SMS to woo recruits

Due to the fact that Wisconsin Badgers lost yesterday, here is my suggestion for a next year:

Buoyed by an NCAA rule change, more football and basketball coaches are text messaging recruits, reports FOX Sports.

"Coaches still send letters and make phone calls, but some say the short messages transmitted from a cell phone or handheld device are more effective than traditional recruiting tools in communicating with prized prospects."

While it was a good season, I really hope that Badgers can get some good recruits next year... Klem

Cellphone Blockers

Have you ever been in a restaurant and a guy next to you is talking on his cellphone driving you insane? Been in a theater and someones cellphone starts ringing?

First, let's be clear on the this subject. Active cellphone blocking is illegal in the United States just as much it is jamming it down someones throat.

Now, what is the legal justification for the ban on active blocking? The FCC says that using a jammer is considered "theft" of airwaves, because that spectrum has been allocated as property to a commercial entity. Read Communications Act of 1934,. See 47 U.S.C. Sections 301, 302a, 333.

One might ask about the passive blocking. Let's first ask ourselves what is passive blocking. Passive blocking simply prevents your signal to get to your cellphone. Surrounding a room with the material that blocks signal its legal. No one can tell you not to wrap your house in steel mesh or chicken wire. You might look a bit crazy but it works.

What about windows? On EMF Safety Superstore website you can buy aluminized Mylar thin film is specially designed for window applications and provides certified 99% shielding at cell phone (900 MHz) frequencies.

I will not post links to the sites that sell illegal active cellphone jammers. I like to follow the law and I really don't like to deal with mean lawyers.

Nevertheless, cellphone usage in inappropriate places can be annoying. The only suggestion I can offer is be considerate to other people. Bad karma will catch up with you if you are not. Klem

National Texting Championship.

On March 31st 2007, LG Electronics will be holding a National Texting Championship with the first prize set at $25,000 for the fastest texter.

Context will be held in Hollywood, at Paramount Studios and in New York City, at the Roseland Ballroom.

Contestants must own and use an activated LG enV mobile phone to compete.

In 2002, the mobile network engineer, who lives in Australia, won a similar type of contest by tapping a 160-character message in one minute seven seconds.

The message he tapped out read:

The razor-toothed piranhas of the genera Serrasalmus and Pygocentrus are the most ferocious freshwater fish in the world. In reality they seldom attack a human.

When I tried to type the message above I was clocked at 4min 43 sec.

As you can probably imagine, I am not entering the contest - Klem

Fewer Operating Systems for Cellphones

There are dozens of OS behind the 2.5 billion mobile phones in circulation, a situation that has hampered the growth of new services. Anyone that has developed software for cellphones or embedded devices know that the situation is complex to say the least.

Vodafone, the world’s largest mobile phone company in terms of revenue, has been leading a push to limit the number of operating systems, declaring in November that it would eventually sell only phones that ran on Microsoft’s Windows Mobile, Symbian Series 60 or Linux.

“We need to reduce the number of operating systems on phones. I’m not saying bring it down to one, but several. With fewer operating systems, it will be easier for content delivery.”, said Arun Sarin, the Vodafone chief executive.

Not everyone are optimistic. “I don’t see convergence of the operating systems happening anytime soon.” said Fabrizio Capobianco, chief executive of Funambol, an open-source software company based in Redwood City, Calif.

With iPhone coming there will be four. Nevertheless, I think that Vodafone's direction is a correct one. In order to promote open-source as well as commercial mobile device software development (and not mention making my life easier), the limited number of OS would be welcome. Klem

Addiction to Cellphones

Mobile Phone Abusers Anonymous (MPAA) is needed. Probably I should join..... Short post today but I am not home and have a very bad connection.... More on monday... Klem

The Megaphone

The MegaPhone , by SysOpen Digia is 5 feet 7 smartphone which works. It is great promotional item in retail shops, trade shows, conferences and other large events.

MESSAGEbuzz has done some text2screen events and it is part of our offerings.

Just think about that opportunity: Use MegaPhone to text2screen your messages. Now if that is not an attention grabber..... Klem

Windows Mobile 6 SDKs Available

You can download the SDK for touchscreen (Windows Mobile Professional) and non-touchscreen (Windows Mobile Standard) here.

I will be posting more about this SDK in a next few days. Klem

Get More Bars on your Cellphone

NY Times published a great article about getting stronger cellphone signal. Getting a passive antenna will improve the signal for you and while I am lucky enough that I get a great signal where I live, there have been instances where I had dropped calls, bad reception or no reception at all.

It might be great on a golf course, so nobody can reach me, and my golf partner do not get upset at me when my cell phone goes off in the middle of their swing, but usually I prefer a strong signal.

When choosing your antenna, make sure that your provider and your cellphone will have right frequency. - Klem

SMS for politicians

SMS is slowly making inroads onto US political scene. Here are just a few examples how SMS has been used so far, not only in the US but around the world:

• SMS petitions organized by Amnesty International permitted individuals to text a message asking congress to close Guantanamo Bay prison

• Russia’s President Putin, during his annually nationally televised event, in October of 2006, permitted voters to text in questions.

• In October of 2006, The Republican National Committee unveiled a program where they are inviting mobile users to sign up online for SMS election-related breaking news and action alerts.

• In Israel, a new initiative by MK Israel Hasson will let anyone send suggestions for new laws by text message. The best ones will be proposed to parliament. According to Hasson, the initiative stemmed from “the real desire to draw new ideas from the public."

To summarize the current state of text messaging in the US politics, there is a great vacuum that can be filled with targeted efforts, especially in organizing volunteers and informing the electorate.

MESSAGEbuzz has worked with John White and MoveOn.org. We are getting more into this segment of the SMS market.

I know that this is a bit of shameless self promotion but even I have to do this sometimes. Klem

Ringtones with a statement

AP reports that an environmental group is starting to distribte animal sounds ringtones. They are hoping that the more people hear these sounds from threatened animals, the more they'll wonder where they came from.

I love this idea.

The ringtones that I make for MESSAGEbuzz staff are usually snippets of 80s songs with funny statements recorded over. I don't sell them nor I post them on the web.

I want to command Peter Galvin, a co-founder of the Center for Biological Diversity, that came up with the idea. Great job Peter! Klem

SMS coupons are coming ...

MESSAGEbuzz created a text based coupon campaign for Simplie Smoothie. "With our first coupon alone we had a 29% response rate," told us Matt Ricketts. "We want to use texting as a tool for our customers to view nutritional and calorie information of all our menu items as they are considering our menu board."

Now, some of the hottest nightclubs in the UK are starting to use cellphones to check the identity of their VIP guests: they send an entry pass in the form of a super barcode to their mobile phones. This is scanned by the very large gentleman who lifts the velvet rope.

I believe that we will see dramatic increase in usage of both SMS and MMS based coupons in the United States. With SMS, even small, family owned business can quickly create coupon based promotions and cut down on their distribution and product costs. Klem

We've come a long way

What can I really say... Klem

PDA Security

The advent of smart phone and PDA has created new security challenges that most of the owners completely ignore. Since these devices do not have built in firewalls and have multiple channels of communications they are prime target for attack.

Also, most of these devices are equipt with Bluetooth. Open Bluetooth channels tend to transmit a lot of info such as MAC addresses, device name and device model. If you are looking at reviewing some of the Bluetooth vulnerabilities, I would suggest Bloomer http://trifinite.org/

Viruses, such as Cabir, The Skulls and Onehop ,are already starting to show up. Most common way that viruses get distributed is through SMS and Bluetooth.

“Normal” cell phones are starting to experience similar security threats. J2ME is not immune to viruses. There have been reports that some J2ME are starting to appear.

My suggestions are: Do not open SMS attachments that come from unknown sources. Turn off your Bluetooth discovery feature and never leave your phone unattended.

We are all protecting our PCs. Start protecting your phones too. Klem

National Geographic Travel Phone

National Geographic announced the launch of the National Geographic Talk Abroad Travel Phone, designed specifically for the needs of the traveling public. Phone will be available March 2007.

"Staying in touch while overseas has proved difficult for travelers; the majority of overseas travelers have not been able to afford the security and convenience of a cell phone," said Sebastian Harrison, president, Cellular Abroad. "With expensive rates and little or no technical support, international cellular service has excluded the general public. Now, it is at their fingertips."

The idea is cool but I wonder how many people will be willing to dish out $0.90 a minute for outbound calls. But incoming calls will be free in most international markets

I guess "Hi mom, I am alive, call me back" will become a norm for global travelers. Klem.

Welcome to MESSAGEbuzz News

It has come to my attention that the MESSAGEbuzz team has been remiss in regards to getting a blog going.

As of today, we're not slacking any more!

The plan for this space is to have various members of MESSAGEbuzz share solutions, ideas and news that are common to SMS, MMS and mobile development. We hope that you find this blog interesting, informing and sometimes even funny.