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