Self Deleting Text Messages

Self Deleting Text Messages
How to send self deleting SMS according to a computer hacking website that reports "this technique is called SAFE-TEXT. It's a technique where a message destroys itself after being read."

Before proceeding further there are several matters worth mentioning.

Sent flash SMS text messages are not automatically saved and thus delete after opening and closing the message

SMS 25 Years Old Today

SMS 25 Years Old TodayToday, SMS (short message service) text messaging cellebrates its birthday. The service was technically created in 1985, however the use of this communications technological advantage containing the message "Happy Christmas" sent in the UK over the Vodafone network was not seen until the first was message was transmitted on 3rd December 1992.The ubiquitous use of SMS

Origin of 160-character SMS Text Message

Slashdot has an interesting discussion (source: LA Times) on why we have a 160 character limit on our text message. The researcher Hillebrand simply typed a few messages on his typewriter and all clocked under 160 characters. Long story short, the limit was supposed to be 128 characters but after eliminating a handful of symbols supported, they were able to squeeze in another 32 characters. To read more, visit Slashdot.

Mobile Technology Facilitates Traveling

I recently took a short trip to Chicago, one of my favorite cities in the U.S. and I’ve decided to rely less on paper itinerary and use my smartphone to manage; the end result has been quite positive. Let me share that experience:

Before the trip, I visited my airline AA.com and learned that they have a mobile friendly site simply by pointing your browser to their website (more info here); this is great to know that I can keep up to the minute update on flight status. Their website also allows you to sign-up for flight SMS text alerts. In addition, our company outsources employee travel arrangements with an agency, so my itinerary was emailed to me. The travel agency works with a service called "Virtually There" which dynamically recalls my itinerary as my trip goes on; they provide a hyperlink within the email that works for both desktop and mobile browser which makes it very convenient for me to retrieve flight number and hotel address while I am on the go. As a backup plan (in case I can't get 3G data access), I also kept a text version of my itinerary using the mobile notepad. I also setup my Nokia calendar to remind me of my flight, meeting and other notifications.

During the trip, I relied on all the mobile services above; it was nice not having to always pull out my paperwork and shuffling around to get the info I needed. I've also used Google Maps a whole-lot especially when looking up meeting locations and restaurant information. Having Assisted-GPS to identify my location within a building is a must. Google Maps application for Symbian S60 now offers "favorites" which allows me to save a location where I frequent; I could have added to favorites before the trip but it all worked out on the fly. One of our vendors invited us to a Cubs game at a nearby roof top party; taking a cab from downtown Chicago to Wrigley field at 6PM is not wise; I used Google Maps to study the traffic updates which gave me a good estimate on my arrival.

Overall, I think the advancement in mobile functionality is going great for people who frequently travels. Services like Orbitz offering travel alerts as well; which makes a lot of sense. The current state of our domestic travel is very intense; we deal with the extra long wait in security, flight delays, FAA regulations and rising gas price. Mobile technology has been a silent contributor in all of this by providing a better traveling experience. I can see this area continue to grow and cannot wait to see the day when I can check-in via mobile on my way to the airport with one-click and line up all the peripheral services like ground transportation, hotel accommodation, etc.

iPhone 3G Data Plan Gives 0 SMS

If you plan to buy or upgrade to the new iPhone 3G come July 11th, in addition to the new $30 unlimited data plan (currently at reasonable $20/month), be prepared to shell out $5 more for a mere 200 SMS that once was part of the package. This, over the 24-month contracted period, translates into $360 more over the first gen iPhone data plan in a two year period. This is starting to piss me off. Basically, they are turning a gadget which was suppose to be a one-time impulse purchase into a car-payment like structure (ie. 0 down payment, high interest scheme).

The original iPhone did not come with a 3G chip, which is its own flaw. Just by adding the 3G chipset into the new iPhone doesn't warrant AT&T to charge a $10 premium for the already 3G service; not to mention not everywhere in the U.S. have AT&T 3G coverage; which means some folks will be stuck with EDGE while paying $10 per month more. Additionally, with the increased cost, they should be increasing the SMS not taking it away.

Wine Lovers Rejoice, Review2Buy is here

Folks at Review2Buy just teamed up with WineReviewOnline.com to give you on the pulse information about the bottle of vino you are about to purchase. Simply text the year/brand/wine or ISBN number of the wine to “REVIEW” (738439), in seconds you’ll have the price and review of the wine at your fingertips.

Their service extends to books, movies, music and electronics as well. A pretty cool solution enhancing the mobile experience for basic cell phones without web browser or data access.

Filipinos Sends 1 Billion SMS Daily

Wow, the Filipinos are pretty hardcore. In 2007, averaging 1 billion text messages sent per day. In this article, there are some interesting facts:
* 8 million plus Filipinos overseas usings SMS as their primary method of communication
* Text message played an important role over throwing their president in 2001
* The SMS has been doubling since 2005 (250M), 2006(500M)
* The rate to afford mobile is reasonable. As little as 2.5 cents per msg.
[Thanks for sending this one in, Mark]

Nokia SMS Widget for Windows Vista

Nokia released a widget for Windows Vista users from its beta lab. This tool allows you to view and send SMS text on your desktop by connecting your phone to the computer. Pretty nice tool for the text extremists who's got the biggest text package and uses it all the time. Enjoy!

Taken directly from Nokia Beta Labs Blog:

Here’s a small - but really nice - treat for Windows Vista users (about 15% of Beta Labs visitors). Nokia Text Messenger is a Windows Vista gadget, with which you can view your latest SMS messages, and send new ones, conveniently from your Windows Vista sidebar.

It should work on all Nokia devices compatible with PC Suite. Just make sure you have 6.85 or later installed.

Google Maps SMS, Google Maps SMS

Yes, I know, the title is repeating. Thats exactly my point. Did anyone else besides me notice that on Google Maps, whenever the "Send to Phone" function is used, it actually sends information as SMS to your phone, TWICE. Its happened to me a couple of times already and thinking back, its about one month ago this started to happening. Not sure if this problem is carrier specific, but I am using AT&T if anyone cares.

Verizon Wireless Customers Expected To Exchange More Than 300 Million Messages This New Year’s Eve

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Spreading New Year’s wishes is more fun with text, picture and video messages from Verizon Wireless, the leading wireless company with the nation’s most reliable wireless voice and data network. This New Year’s Eve, Verizon Wireless expects its customers to send and receive more than 300 million messages in the 16 hours between 12 p.m. today and 4 a.m. ET New Year’s Day.Mike

Verizon Wireless Customers Expected To Exchange More Than 300 Million Messages This New Year’s Eve

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Spreading New Year’s wishes is more fun with text, picture and video messages from Verizon Wireless, the leading wireless company with the nation’s most reliable wireless voice and data network. This New Year’s Eve, Verizon Wireless expects its customers to send and receive more than 300 million messages in the 16 hours between 12 p.m. today and 4 a.m. ET New Year’s Day.Mike

Best Mobile Marketing: Dog the Bounty Hunter!

Enpocket was recently awarded Best Mobile Campaign Award at the 2006 MITX Awards. The winning campaign is A&E's famous TV show: Dog the Bounty Hunter. The campaign cleverly delivers "Dogism" via SMS text message where receipients can receive weekly text message such as: "Dogism: When you break someone down, make sure you always raise them up higher than they were before."

On a seperate note, it seems like current state of mobile marketing is largely driven by SMS interaction.

Email SMS Text Messages (Free SMS)

Inspired from the Sprint Treo SMS post, I have decided to post email extensions to U.S. wireless providers. This is handy if you have a smartphone with email or you can use your PC to send a email text message without being charged (the receipient will be charged for receiving). Simply input the receipient's 10-digit phone number infront of their carrier's email extention and they will receive your short email via SMS. Several downsides to this method: 1). Sender information will be some random number, so the recipient may not read your SMS. 2). Not sure if reply to that random number will work. 3). You'll always need to remember each carrier's email extension and know recipient's carrier.

T-Mobile: phonenumber@tmomail.net
Virgin Mobile: phonenumber@vmobl.com
AT&T: phonenumber@txt.att.net
Sprint: phonenumber@messaging.sprintpcs.com
Verizon: phonenumber@vtext.com
Nextel: phonenumber@messaging.nextel.com
Source
Source 2
Update 2/24/2008: For the hardcore SMS folks using a Nokia Smartphone, a Widget is available for you to blast SMS text messages via your phone plan but using your Windows Vista computer!