Did Text Messaging Kill the E-mail Star? (Part 2)

Text messaging is the next natural progression of Instant Messaging. They are pretty much the same thing except it's done on cell phones as well as computers now. When IM came out it caught on huge so it's easy to see why texting is just as popular.

As for fees, I think wireless providers are going to end up having to give unlimited texting plans to everyone for a very minimal charge. That minimal charge still ends up being a large sum by the time it's all added up though.

Kaplin,

Very true. If there are 10 million users, even if they charged only $1.00 per month for unlimited usage, it is still $120 million per year.

And there are probably that many texters just in the state of New York...

I wonder if so many people use it and are addicted to using it, if it is one of those items, crazy enough, like cigarettes, that people are just willing to pay for in $10 or $19.99 per month doses.

I know that DVR jumped recently with Time Warner from $5 to $7.99 per month. Not only did I not notice, I didn't even really care becuase I don't want to go back pre-DVR. I have not missed either a Mets game or an important comment from my wife since I signed up for it. If companies are smart, even if they start with a minimal fee, small increases over time would result in ridiculous profit margins.

Mets game? Dude you are sick. The Yanks are where it is at.

Ah please. Anyone can root for a team that has won 26 World Championships.

It takes a real fan to root for a team who continually crushes your soul.

Case in point: Note that it was Billy Wagner who gave up the lead in the All-Star game. Even when the Mets don't play, they find a way to twist the knife.

That type of masochism only a true fan can truly appreciate.

Oops, where are the Mets and the Dudes and who is Wagner? haha...

Back to the topic:

Texting is very likely so popular because the necessary minimum unit is very small, easy to operate and nearly everyone is carrying one all the times. At home its easy to send texts by using a computer with a real kbd and w/o any cost.

Newton,

Thanks for the comment. Indeed, accessibility and cell phone price are definitely driving factors. Is that enough, though, to have it become more popular and more often used than e-mail?

And on the offtopic thread...the Mets are in New York and Billy Wagner is supposed to be a great pitcher for them.

Maybe its just because I am a senior, but frankly I don't like the idea of text messages any more than I like cell phones and much for the same reasons. That being they are a distraction to the people doing the texting (or the cell phones) especially when driving. Studies have demonstrated conclusively that such distractions are a prime cause of accidents.

Perhaps if the insurance companies (based on scientifically generated data) placed a significantly increased premium on those who used cell phones or texted while driving then we would se much less of it.

Personally, there is nothing I, or any of us, do that requires continuous contact with another person.

I agree, but how could an insurance company tell if you were texting while driving? Just from a police report? It's not like anyone is going to tell the insurance company that that they do it.

To reduce the danger of distraction of a driver by a cell phone there is only two alternatives:

1. prevent it totally, e.g. by law, like don't drive drunk/calling/texting prevent it technically: require the installation of a cell phone distortion unit on each car, haha.

2. allow it and make it safe, by means of technically improved equipment and enforce installation by law. There is numerous acceptable solutions like hands-free phone connection with bluetooth and only for texting while driving there is no solution at all. Thus texting should be forbidden by law.

Newton,

Actually, I do have a solution for texting while driving in an upcoming blog. It gives users the ability to text, hands-free and is free for anyone who has a phone.

Beyond that, though, it is just about as dangerous as driving under the influence, I imagine (although texting doesn't affect your judgement specifically, just your attention)

The use of Bluetooth technology and other "hands free" technologies doesn't prevent the distraction from occuring during driving; it only allows persons with such phones the ability to keep both hands on the steering wheel. Distraction is more associated with where the concentration is focused during the phone operation. Frankly, I find it typical that those using cell phones while driving shouldn't be given a lisence. Perhaps the solution to this dilemma is to have those inclined to text or cell phoning during driving would be the requirement to have a special lisences where lisence tests are given while driving at high speed in simulated traffic (quick reflex situations) between semi tractor trailers. [Often a typical scenario]. Most couldnt pass the drivers test and live. To me it seems there is far too much emphasis on communication and no emphasis on safety.

Should we get rid of radios, too? I know a lot of people who also hold conversations in the car.

I know it's not exactly the same thing, but the line of what is mentally distracting and what is not is somewhat hard to draw.

Yeah, spam can be a real bucket of cold water -- whether you get it in Text Message or in an e-mail.

Offering unlimited test messaging on cell phone plans is being offered today, but rest assured the service providers are factoring the cost of maintaining the platform into the monthly recurring charges.

One of the big revenue streams for providers is not just the regular text messages that go around, but also the premium content messages. These are essentially advertisements that offer you something for your phone -- ring tones, download games, etc. The ad comes as a text message with a link to click. The link sends a text message back to the advertiser to begin the download. At this point, the service provider has charged for two SMS messages and the data service for the download. I'm not saying this is bad (remember I work for one of these providers) but it is a service we provide and charge for.

Another use is by large companies that want to get messages out to their work force, particularly those who have field technicians or a dispersed sales force. In an effort to cut costs, these companies have dropped pagers and rely on cell phone messages to get "the word" out.

Interesting to see that it is already being picked up by a specific work force and used for the dissemination of information.

I know that the rugby club that I play for uses mass text for announcements that need to go out immediately. It did require, however, one person to input 50 contacts into his phone.

Depending on the service you are using, the SMS platform may accept messages in SMTP format, thus negating the need to put 50 contacts into a phone. In this case, you could just send an e-mail to the distribution group of 50 mobile phones.

There are usually character limits on SMS message, 160 characters to 500 characters depending on service and service provider, so that has to be factored in as well.

I guess as long as contacts are simple, that should do it. Or you can send multiple messages.

Really, how complex can you get on a screen the size of a cell phone?