Recent news stories have reported a phenomenon that most knew existed: there is a gap in the use of text messaging between younger and older cell phone owners. Reports vary but indications are those 12 to 30 years of age account for 80% of text messaging usage.

Because of the instantaneous nature of texting and the tiny keypads and screens on a cell phone, an entire language has developed around text messaging. For those cell phone owners who do not make use of text messaging, the intricacies of this language can make messages almost incomprehensible. This language is abbreviated for speed and ease of use. It is a rather phonetic language where single letters or numbers may stand for entire words, such as “Y” for “why” or “8″ for “ate”. Vowels may be omitted to further reduce keystrokes, such as “btwn” for “between” and capitalization and punctuation are rare. Acronyms are used for phrases and whole sentences such as “ADBB” for “all done, bye, bye”. Symbols are also common in text messaging language.

Non-verbal communication such as facial expression and tone of voice have been said to express more meaning than words themselves in a spoken message. In any form of written communication this is lacking. This is particularly true in text messaging. Knowing whether the phrase “thts gr8t” (that’s great), is expressing something positive or sarcastic is important when communicating. Texting allows the user to create “emoticons” or “smileys” to add the tone to a comment. For instance, “thts gr8t :)” would give the statement a positive meaning while typing “THTS GR8T” would indicate a shout for excitement.

Because of the uniqueness of the communication, those who do not make use of messaging on their cell phone are at a loss then for understanding or communicating in this texting language: the language of their children, grandchildren, younger co-workers, and many others. Certainly knowing the language of those with whom there is a need to communicate is a tremendous advantage.

Text messaging with a cell phone can offer other advantages that non-users might want to consider as well. Text messaging is less expensive than talk time and allows the user to communicate basic messages without incurring unnecessary expense. Text messaging can also be a great way of remaining accessible without creating a disturbance. Obviously, when taking a cell phone call in a meeting or in a crowded area, all those nearby are disrupted as the call is answered and conversation ensues. With text messaging others are seldom aware that an interruption has even occurred. One other distinct advantage of text messaging over voice calling can be the ease of communicating via cell phone with a person who has hearing impairment.

There are a number of ways to dive into the world of cell phone texting. One method used by many parents is to consult a child who is a habitual user of text messaging. However, for those on their own in the endeavor there are many resources to consult. Online, netlingo.com and webopedia.com provide references to assist cell phone owners in learning the vocabulary of text messaging. Another site, lingo2word.com offers a translator to assist cell phone owners in composing a text message or to translate a text message they receive into plain English. Other sites can assist with texting in other languages such as Transclick.com which, for a fee, will translate text messages in real time. A visit to the local bookstore or to Amazon.com will also reveal a number of reference books that can be invaluable for beginners.

Certainly, use of text messaging can be a challenge for those who are unaccustomed to what at first glance appears to be a more impersonal method of communication or for whom it may merely be a foreign or unnecessary concept. However, learning and using text messaging can certainly open the doors of communication to a broader audience just as learning any second language.

Short Messaging Service (SMS) was initially a property of only GSM. The service originated in the year 1985. However now it has also expanded to other mobile standards such as CDNA etc.

HOW SMS WORKS:

The Short Messaging Service, requires the service centre. This service centre would act as the mediator between, the sending and receiving of the messages. The messages originating from the phones of the subscribers of a particular network would, reach the service centre, from which it would be directed to receivers in a fixed network or Value Added Service Providers. The SMS is supported by all the digital mobile phones.

HOW SMS ORIGINATED:

SMS being used as one of the services in a mobile phone standard actually originated very late. It was felt that SMS could be used to deliver service messages to the subscribers such as the voice mail information etc. However, some people had ideas of expanding this service as a separate mode of communication itself. By 1985, the idea of incorporating SMS as one of the services of GSM, came into light. The discussions over the services of GSM, finally gave rise to three recommendations:

1. Short message mobile terminated: This was to enable a network to transmit a text message to a mobile phone. The message could have originated from a software application or phone.

2. Short message mobile originated: This was to enable a network to transmit a text message from a mobile phone. The message would be sent to a software application or a phone.

3. Broadcast of the messages.

These suggestions were then forwarded for implementation and after several years of research and development, the service came into being. The first commercial SMS is believed to have been sent in the year 1992, by the Vodafone GSM network.

Initially there were very cold responses to the service, as there was not much awareness and a statistics showed that, at those times, the customers were sending only 0.4 messages per GSM customer per month. This was mainly because of the fact that the operators were slow in setting up charging system and there were many billing frauds associated with it.

Nowadays, the service has expanded beyond GSM and many mobile standards have come up with the service. It is also interesting to note that SMS has developed into the fastest means of communication. When considering communication factors, such as phone calls not being picked up, the SMS turns out to be the fastest mode of communication.

mobile phone

it cost to Text?

Sending a Text message with a Tracfone phone is simple. With the newer prepaid Tracfones you will pay .3 Minutes per text for sending and receiveing. The cost is relative to the price you are paying per minute. If you are paying 33 cents a minute then you are paying 11 cents each. If you are paying 8.8 cents per Tracfone Minute then you are paying 3 cents per message. The older Tracfones cost .5 units each way. There were a couple of older Tracfones that only charged to send, and free to receive texts. The Nokia 1100 is a free text receiver.

Does Tracfone have Camera Phones?

Tracfone has a couple Camera phones. The The LG 225, the LG 600g, and the Motorola W376 are all camera phones with DMFL. These DMFL camera Tracfones work on the GSM networks.

What does it cost to send Pictures with Tracfone?

You will be charged one minute and the time it takes to send your picture. The cost is normally three to five minutes per picture sent. You will be charged if the picture goes through or not. If you are in the area code where your phone is registered and your Tracfone is not roaming the picture messaging has a better chance of working. If your phone is roaming your picture will not work a lot of times.

What is the Tracfone Value Plan?

The Tracfone Value Plan is a automatic monthly pay plan. Sign up for the Value plan and your credit or debit card will be billed every month for a set number of minutes. I would suggest just signing up for the smallest automatic billing amount. You can add more minutes any time at the same rate with Value Bundles. The Tracfone Value Plan rate is 20/10 cents per minute.

Auto billing reminds me of a contract phone. You can often get a better deal by buying a phone and one year card and using a bonus code or adding a Tracfone card every three months and using bonus coupons.

What is Tracfone Refer-a-Friend Program?

Tracfone Refer a friend was a program that Tracfone Wireless had. Referring a friend got both phones got 100 free Tracfone minutes. Many people were referring themselves and getting thousands of minutes. I got several thousand free minutes with Tracfone Refer a Friend. This program was meant to put Tracfones out into the hands of new Tracfone users. Refer a friend was discontinued in 2006.

When you have been dumped, it can be hard to see straight, let alone think straight. Your world has been turned upside down. With everything going on, you are likely to make some serious mistakes that can kill your chance for a reunion. However, these mistakes can be rectified if you realize what you are doing and stop immediately. If you want to win your ex back, it’s important that you recognize the errors and do the right thing. After all, your ex is still important to you, right?

Error 1 – Pleading Your Case

Okay, first thing, do not beg or plead your case, hoping your ex will take pity on you, realize they still love you and come back. It does not work. Yes, it is a natural reaction to have after a breakup but it’s also a big mistake to do. When you pressure your ex to come back, you are essentially driving them further away. You are liable to make them even angrier at you for not giving them the space they need to sort through their feelings. It’s important that your ex gets this space. Don’t act needy, desperate and certainly whiny. You only affirm their decision to end the relationship.

Error 2 – Drunk Dialing

What is drunk dialing? Know those midnight or later phone calls you make to your ex, hoping to hear their voice, leading you to beg and plead for a second chance… only to realize that you sound like a goofball and quickly hang up? Oh yeah and you are drunk too. That is drunk dialing and for any ex to get that kind of phone call, it is not sexy in the least.

Drinking does take the pain away for a short time but it brings it back full force once the effect has begun to wear off. When you are depressed about the breakup, drinking only further enhances those feelings. Do not do drunk dialing even if it sounds good when you are drinking. It doesn’t do anything for you or win your ex.

Error 3 – Text Message Terrorism

This mistake cannot be blamed on alcohol. Text message terrorism occurs when you constantly assail your ex with phone calls, text messages, emails, instant messages, etc. You believe that constantly trying to get a hold of your ex is a good thing because it keeps them thinking about you. Actually, it does make them think about you but in a negative way not positive. If your ex hasn’t called you after the first phone call or message, the chances are they won’t be calling you.

If this is your case, then do the next best thing. Give your ex the space they need to work through the problems they saw. During this time, you work on your own problems. If things work out, then maybe the two of you can work things out and get back together but using text message terrorism to stay in their life will not work or win your ex back. It just makes you look like a psycho.

Text Messaging Catching On in America

by Anthony Wayne Editor — Cool Ringtones Blog

Philadelphia – Once considered a teenage fad, text messaging popularity in the United States is rising dramatically. According to The Wall Street Journal, 4.7 billion text messages were sent in the USA in December, 2004 compared to 2.1 billion in December, 2003.

In fact, text messaging is entering all aspects of our society, even relationships. The San Francisco Chronicle reports that nine percent of singles have even admitted to breaking up with their significant others via text message. Thirty percent of text users said that they’ve continued an argument by text message; probably part of the same group that ultimately contributed to the break ups.

The applications for text messaging promotions are also increasing just as quickly. Major League Baseball offers a text message service that enables its fans to catch up on the latest news and results of their favorite team. There are also custom cell phone wallpapers of team logos and unique actual game recorded play-by-play ringtones in the professional baseball offering. Live 8, which sponsored the single biggest text messaging promotion in history, garnered 26 million texts last month supporting increased government aid to poor African countries. The opportunities for promoters appear to only be limited by one’s imagination.

One of the more interesting applications that we’ve seen is one being sold to radio stations by Chicago-based Spark Network Services. Spark, which got its start by offering 900-number based radio voice personal datelines, is now selling a suite of text messaging products called PromoTXTRadio. The text messaging products allow radio stations to offer votelines, sweepstakes, song dedications, station play lists, traffic reports, and breaking news via text message. It even allows radio stations to offer their station jingles to be played as cell phone ringtones.

Still, Americans have a long way to go to catch their Asian brethren when it comes to the growing phenomenon of text messaging. CTIA-The Wireless Association, estimates that the average Chinese cell phone user sent 651 text messages last year compared to just 203 for US wireless users.

C U L8r.

If you are a frequent netizen or an avid mobile phone user, you cannot rule out the benefits of free messaging. In fact, most amongst us prefer to send SMS to particular destination than to make calls because the former is much cheaper than the latter. With the emergence of consumerism, there have emerged some of the better and convenient options like sending free SMS through Internet that have proved to be much more lucrative and reliable.

There are various websites that provide the facility of sending SMS through the mobile phones via Internet. These websites do not charge any fees for this service. All you are supposed to do is to get yourself registered with these websites and you can send messages to anyone on their mobile phone and could easily chat via this medium. There are also some Internet messengers which provide the same facility to the user. They also allow receiving and sending e-mails through the Internet.

The method of sending text messages via Internet is not a new method but it has not been used for business since a long time. Lately, we have seen an upsurge in the manner in which these websites are growing in the market. And if you are thinking as to how on earth are they working without charging anything and solely for free, then the answer is through advertisements. The main source of income for these websites is provided through the advertisers who give a back link of their homepage to the user and thus they help the business to thrive in this way.

Also, free SMS could be availed by the many mobile phone service providers by availing one of the contract mobile phone deals that are available in the market. The providers usually go gaga over such offers and you can easily avail this benefit by signing a contract deal with one of the service providers that could be easily found in the market.

Thus, availing free SMS is the trend of the times and you can enjoy these services and make your life easier and convenient.

You suspect your spouse may be having an affair, but you aren’t sure what to do. Do you confront them and cause a fight or possibly accuse an innocent person of something they didn’t do? Or do you let the anxiety in your heart and the sick feeling in your stomach just pester on while you do nothing?

The best answer is neither. Find out for sure if your spouse is cheating without having to confront them before having proof. The worst thing you can do is nothing and let your stress and anxiety eat you up alive. That’s not a healthy way to live and it will take its toll on your and your kids will sense the change in you.

What you need to do is contact an online investigator. They can find out the truth and put an end to the constant questions and suspicions in your mind. It doesn’t cost a lot and your knowing and not having to deal with suspicions any longer is more than worth it.

There are two investigations that can help you in your quest for the truth. First, you can give out your spouse’s email address to an online investigator and they will run it through their database to see if that email address is registered with thousands of dating websites on the internet. You will find out in less than 48 hours. Around 30% of ads on dating sites are by married people.

The second method is through digital forensic examination of a cell phone. If your spouse is talking on their cell phone to a lover or text messaging each other, you can find out, even if all text messages and pictures have been deleted.

You mail the cell phone to the online investigator and they perform a digital forensic examination of the phone. They can find everything including deleted text messages, deleted caller ID, deleted pictures, deleted address book entries, and more. You can find out everything in under a week.

If your spouse is sending and receiving text messages from a lover, they probably think they are safe from being caught after deleting them, but they are wrong! Everything deleted can be recovered so if they are cheating, then you will have solid proof.

Either way, you deserve to know if your spouse is being faithful or not on the vows they made and you deserve to choose to be with someone who is faithful to you.

To survive in this world, communication plays a vital role. Communication not only confines to sharing of thoughts or opinions but also to suggestions, feeling, information and even knowledge. The impact of communication has led to various innovations such as telephone, mobile phones and Internet. The recent research suggests that introverts prefer sending messages as they have the opportunity to think about what to express, removing the pressure of articulating an instance response.

Internet has brought innovation in various segments of the industry from media and telecom to finance and beauty. It is considered as one of the best ways to connect with people across the world. As a matter of fact, it as brought revolution in the lifestyle of people. The way people used to connect with others have totally changed. The short messaging service from Internet for instance, is used to get in touch with family and friends who are living faraway. These text messages from Internet are used to exchange text, images, graphics, audio and video file for free or by paying very less.

Short message service or SMS service is a communication protocol that allows the users to interchange short text messages with their friends and family members. The SMS text messaging is most widely used data application in this world. In context to handsets, the 2.4 billion active users or 74% of all mobile phone subscribers are sending and receiving text messages on their handsets. With the help of the messages, the users can share their thoughts, opinion and desires with some one else.

Chatting and communicating with others through Internet has become extremely popular. Sending or receiving messages via Internet do not take much time. Importantly, it is cost effective way to be in touch with others. The text messages break the barrier of thousand miles, as it allow the users to send and receive the message irrespective of geographical area. One can send short text message from the Internet and enjoy the feature of instantly conversation.

Most of these SMS via Internet are free of cost. So users should not feel disgusted or handicapped when their mobile phone is not working because they can still send SMS. These free text SMS are helpful when the users are working on the World Wide Web. Apart from free websites, free text messages are also being sent with the help of various Internet messengers. These messengers also offer services like sending free text messages to the specific mobile numbers. The users just have to get themselves registered in one of these Internet websites. Most of the websites are totally free of cost and don’t require paying any registration charges. These websites are really lucrative and are really popular amongst the people across the globe.

In order to locate websites which offers free SMS, one must visit search engines. The search engines help the users to find these websites quite easily. There are plenty of free SMS websites on the Internet. People may come across various short text messages sites which can be used to send messages on mobile phone.

Short SMS or short message service is a very popular feature which have broaden up the usability by appearing in the Internet. The technological innovations keep taking place in the present scenario, this technology of sending text messages through Internet has turns out be great. Undoubtedly, it will save time, money and offer a real fun. One can even send SMS through websites to another mobile without spending any penny from his or her pocket. It is a cost effective way to connect with friends and family members who might not be using the Internet at the same time. With the distances, people usually feel the relationships are far away. But today, relationships are just an SMS away, as it is a smart way to remember friends and family members. Therefore, it can be said that Internet has made the world a global village.

What is Chat to Text and does it live up to all the hype? Short answer. YES! First let’s talk about what Chat to Text is. Chat to Text is an application that was supposed to be integrated with facebook to allow web visitors to your page to contact you via text message from your page to their mobile phone with a sms text message. What a great concept. A visitor wants to get in touch with you right away so they just click a box and send you a text. You reply and your message goes back to the visitors’ computer. That is the short version.

Let’s talk about what Chat to Text really is. Chat to Text is an application that brings social networking, blogs, and websites together with texting, making your sites completely interactive. You can place this application on any of these sites, including facebook and myspace. You copy and paste the code to your site and that’s it. Your site is now interactive. Your visitors will now be able to send you a text message right from your site and you will be able to respond back right to their computer. If you own a business and have a website do you see how powerful this application will be? It’s like having 24/7 customer service on your site. If 24/7 is not for you then you can go in and set hours that you are available for chat. You can speak with a prospect or customer while they are still on your site. Now that is powerful! Want to stay in touch with your myspace and facebook friends? Just paste the code to your page and your done. All of your friends will now be able to text you from their computer to your mobile phone. Don’t worry, if your getting too many messages you can turn your chat window off, set specific hours, save your chat history and customize your chat window with your photo.

Wow! Sounds great, but how much do these features cost? Only $5.99/month and you can make all of your sites completely interactive. Wait. There’s one more great feature. You can share this feature with others and make yourself a nice residual income as well. Do you know anyone on facebook, myspace or bebo? Do you know anyone who owns a website or has a blog? Of course you do. If you didn’t you wouldn’t be from this planet.

So check out this application and share it with others. It’s all about staying in contact. Give it a try.

There are three things that we never leave home without any more–your keys, wallet, and mobile phone.

Note that we no longer have a need for a watch. Those of us who still wear watches do so only because it’s a nice piece of jewelry; it’s no longer a functional item with a cell phone in your pocket.

There were 157 billion text messages sent in the United States last year! That’s up 61% over the 98 billion text messages sent in 2005! There are now more cell phones in the United States than there are internet connections.

And, if you’re trying to reach teens and young adults with email, that is just so yesterday. Text messaging represents 48% of all written communication by 15 to 24-year-olds. Remember pen and paper? Only 5% of 15 to 24-year-olds written communication is done the old fashioned way.

But, perhaps the greatest advantage of text message marketing is that you can reach your audience anytime, anywhere, any place. 84% of all consumers keep their cell phone on and with them 24 hours per day and 94% of all text messages are opened and read. That’s why The New York Times called mobile marketing “the most powerful advertising medium of all time.”

We all know teens love to text; 29% of teens send more than ten texts per day. But, if you think text messaging is just for teens, think again. 39% of active text message users (those sending more than ten messages per week) are over the age of 35. Even Grandma does it now–8% of those over the age of 70 are now considered active text messagers. All told, 95 million Americans are in this elite group of active text messagers today.

Another invention going the way of the typewriter is the landline phone. 15% of all cell phone owners don’t bother to have a landline phone anymore and 31% are considering giving up their home phone in the next three years.

If you’re a radio station executive and you’re not offering text messaging by now, you may still be living in the Marconi era. The beauty of text messaging to radio listeners is that since so much of radio listening is done outside of access to general media, text may be the only medium available. If they’re in their car, on the beach, or at the office, there’s probably no competition from television or internet. Hence, radio and the cell phone are the means to reaching your target audience.

What do radio listeners want to do with text messaging? According to the Pew Study, they want to request songs, enter contests, and obtain station play lists. It’s not surprising then that the top text message applications for radio stations to date have been contests, song requests and dedications, vote lines, station play lists, and enhanced advertising.

Enhanced advertising is where the game is starting to change for radio stations. What was once a promotional tool has now become a sales tool. What was once a cost center for a radio station has now become a revenue center.

94% of all text messages are opened and read. No other medium can make that claim, not even radio. That’s why forward looking radio station sales teams are now up-selling their customers with text programs. And, it’s working because the advertising works. It’s no longer just a spot buy when you add an interactive text promotion to the on-air commercial. Some account executives are getting in on buys in demos where they were once shutout. Others are gaining additional market share on the buy by bundling spot buys with a station text message campaign. Mobile marketing offers the sales team a weapon that others in the market simply don’t have.

Here’s how it works. Next time the radio station plans to give away tickets to a concert, why have 999 frustrated callers reaching busy signals and one lucky winner? With text messaging, all 1000 listeners get through to the station. There’s still only one lucky winner, but all the entrants receive the station advertiser’s marketing message. More importantly, the station now has a database of 1000 opt-in P-1 listeners.

Next time the station has breaking news or a pre-sale buy of concert tickets, it will want to notify the opt-in database, thus providing another opportunity to put your advertiser’s message into the palm of the hands of your loyal station listeners. Your advertiser’s message gets through and your P-1′s feel like VIP’s.

According to Forrester Research, 43% of US marketers will be using mobile marketing within the next year. Mobile marketing is projected to generate $4.8 billion in revenue in 2011.

Radio needs to jump on the mobile marketing train. If it doesn’t, somebody else will.