Text-message 'Star' voting cut off

A mobile operator in Saudi Arabia has banned cell phone users from sending votes by SMS text messaging to top-rated pan-Arab show "Star Academy," which airs on Lebanese satcaster LBC

Dating Through Text Messaging

Forget the Internet. Forget the birth-control pill. The biggest change in American dating might be the same device that rules the rest of our lives: the cell phone.
It's impossible to be young and dating without one. It dominates every courtship step, from first moves to late-night booty calls to "can u bring home dinner, honey?" text messages.
When exchanging numbers at a bar, there is no more desperate scramble for a pen. Now, it's a scramble for the phone so digits can be plugged in.
But as names and numbers accumulate in the phone, a serial dater's cell turns into a modern-day black book - or, in the case of columnist Matt Katz, a graveyard of past dating experiences.
The cell phone's text messaging also proves that there's a high-tech way to behave like a jerk.

Using SMS to Attract Young Generation

When it comes to advertising, Millennials mean money and Generation Xers mean extra cash.Today’s teens and young adults have a wealth of spending potential. But to capture that younger market, companies are having to reach out in unconventional ways.
“Xers’ and Millennials’ heads are turned by the pop and sizzle of the message and by the medium by which that message comes,’’ said Chuck Underwood, president of the Generational Imperative, which counsels companies on managing age differences.Advertisers — if they want to make a sale — must learn how to relate to and speak the language of young consumers, he said.That means shoving traditional marketing methods to the side and using mobile messaging, podcasting and online video to reach Millennials (Gen Yers, ages 24 and younger) and some Gen Xers (ages 25-39).“Using technology works, but it can backfire,’’ Underwood said. “These generations have just become too sophisticated of consumers to be tricked into buying any old product.’’

Text Messaging Service Promises to Appeal to All Segments

Through GenText, the end user will essentially have a one-stop shop for communication, entertainment and transactions. GenText allows for the integration of basic services and premium services under one short code. The platform is designed to cover all mobile communication, information and entertainment transactions. The basic offering package of communication and information will involve user/self-generated content. The premium selection will include the integration of outsourced content to the GenText platform.

Mobile Assets will use GenText to help facilitate market segmentation drivers between all age groups and usage profiles. As a result, need-based service and communication will be driven to increase revenues. It is expected that GenText will be able to build stickiness with users through its ability to create segments within an overall umbrella of services. GenText will be able to drive market share in text based VAS and also create opportunities as a marketing tool. With GenText, the service provider will be able to offer the Total Texting experience and map the SMS/text usage across a variety of services for its subscriber base.