Man Sends SMS before wounding six people

A man accused of wounding six people - one critically - when he opened fire inside a shopping mall sent text messages saying he was about to show the world his anger, reports IOL.According to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, "a routine day of shopping turned into a terrifying scene at the Tacoma Mall Sunday, witnesses said, when a young man in a shirt and tie opened fire with an assault rifle, then kept three people hostage for hours before surrendering to police.At least seven people were injured -- one critically -- and the mall was locked down Sunday afternoon as frightened shoppers scrambled for safety"."Dominick Sergio Maldonado, 20, surrendered to police on Sunday after he ducked into a music store and took three hostages, all of whom were released unharmed after about four hours, authorities said, reports IOL.Bret Strickler, who said he was Maldonado's best friend, was quoted as telling the Seattle Post-Intelligencer that he got a text message while Maldonado was holding the hostages that said, "The world will feel my anger."

Playing Battleship with SMS

Over 115,000 people engaged with the Telecom Mobile Push The Button competition, reports TOUCH/CAST via adland.This experiential event generated over 5. 4 million text messages as contestants played out a text version of ‘battleships’ to win great prizes and the ultimate right to Push The Button and sink the F69.Over 90,000 registered to play but in the end it was all down to Jo Smith, a 22-year-old student from Te Atatu to do the deed.This campaign also went on to become the biggest TXT game event in NZ’s history."

SMS Blamed for Fatal Accident

In a follow-up of Friday's post on a serious accident due to a teenager text messaging at the wheel, today the The Washington Post reports that "the bicyclist died Friday, two days after the accident. The 17-year-old driver will probably face misdemeanor charges after allegedly losing control of his car while text messaging and hitting a bicyclist."We do not believe it was an intentional act, but it was inattentiveness to the roadway. The investigation showed that he was text-messaging on his cell phone" at the time of the accident, said Lt. Alan Stanton, spokesman for the Douglas County Sheriff's Office. Under Colorado law, the teenager could face as much as a year in prison.

Record SMS Numbers sent in UK

The UK's Mobile Data Association (MDA) has reports that a new record has been set in the UK, with a staggering 2.9 billion SMS's being sent during last month and an average of 93.5 million text messages sent per day.Person-to-person texts sent across the UK GSM network operators last month show an increase of 25.7% on the total sent during the same period in 2004. The MDA's annual forecast for 2005 is 32 billion with a cumulative total to date of 29 billion.
[via Cellular News]

Affiliate Program For Mobile Search

Want to cash in on mobile search but don’t have the technology? Now there’s a way…SMS-based mobile search company UpSnap has set up an affiliate program which “will offer affiliate partners a $1.00 commission for every user they refer to UpSNAP”.UpSNAP offers mobile phone users a broad spectrum of text-based services that include free 411, comparison shopping, jokes, horoscopes, and pick-up lines. The services operate across all network carriers and are easily accessed by sending a query to the number 2SNAP (27627), or visiting UpSNAP.com.Affiliates pretty much need a US taxpayer identification number (TIN) or Social Security Number.UpSNAP’s revenue stream comes from merchants paying to have customers connect to them, such as the Yellow Pages or 1800 numbers… I don’t know how much the merchants are paying but it’s worth at least $1 per sign-up to UpSnap.

Affiliate Program for Mobile Search

Want to cash in on mobile search but don’t have the technology? Now there’s a way…SMS-based mobile search company UpSnap has set up an affiliate program which “will offer affiliate partners a $1.00 commission for every user they refer to UpSNAP”.UpSNAP offers mobile phone users a broad spectrum of text-based services that include free 411, comparison shopping, jokes, horoscopes, and pick-up lines. The services operate across all network carriers and are easily accessed by sending a query to the number 2SNAP (27627), or visiting UpSNAP.com.Affiliates pretty much need a US taxpayer identification number (TIN) or Social Security Number.UpSNAP’s revenue stream comes from merchants paying to have customers connect to them, such as the Yellow Pages or 1800 numbers… I don’t know how much the merchants are paying but it’s worth at least $1 per sign-up to UpSnap.

The Minefield Of Mobile Marketing For The Recruitment Industry

Mobile is proving to be one of the most effective channels for recruitment consultants to communicate directly with their clients. It’s instant, targeted and gets results. SMS messaging is used by many to communicate a range of information, from job opportunities to interview reminders. Consultants are managing clients’ appointments by integrating with their existing administration systems and the volume of no-shows is reducing as a result. The Mobile platform is also being used to send group alerts to clients (with general advice and information) and clients are becoming much more responsive. Text messaging (SMS and MMS) is no longer seen as something just for the youth market; its applications extend much further. The sector is growing, and in many cases we’ve only just scratched the surface.

via OnRec

SMS Being Used in Final Exams

Australian VCE students have been caught sending messages on mobile phones, taking calls during toilet breaks and getting others to sit their final exams, according to News.com.au."Official documents show struggling and outstanding students alike have turned to cheating. ... Breach of rule reports for 2003 and 2004 exams obtained under Freedom of Information show:-- A legal studies student was caught using a mobile phone to SMS during the final exam. A fellow student reported seeing the boy twice typing on the phone.-- A Maths student was reprimanded for receiving a call on a mobile phone in the toilets. Mobile phones are banned in all exams."