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Posts with tag texting

Scale Sends Weight Via Text Message

by Tim Stevens, posted Jun 30th 2008 at 1:24PM

Scale Sends Weight Via SMS -- Not Necessarily to You
If you dreaded hopping on the scale this morning to gauge the impact of that pizza bender you went this past weekend, then artist Alice Wang has a handful of concept scales that may be of interest to you. Each one subtly tweaks the concept of the simple scale in some deliciously subversive ways. One, called Open Secret, doesn't even have a display on it; instead, it sends text messages to a single recipient, who then has the burden of telling you the results.

Another similar scale, called "Half-Truth," has a readout screen that can only be seen by another person who has to tell you what your weight is -- honestly or dishonestly. Finally, there's the "White Lies" scale, which reads lower if you lean backwards. These are not the sort of products you're likely to find on the shelves at your local Wal-Mart anytime soon, nor likely any shelves anywhere, but they would certainly make that most dreaded of morning rituals a bit more dramatic. [Source: Core77 via textually.org]
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Text-Addicted Teen Sends 15,000 Messages a Month

by Terrence O'Brien, posted Jun 26th 2008 at 4:58PMBreaking News

Text Addicted Teen Sends 15,000 Messages a Month
Trust us when we say we make good use of our text messaging plans at Switched. Many of us simply could not survive without our unlimited (or at least hefty) text messaging packages, but one girl from Ohio sends more texts in a month than the entire Switched staff combined.

According to WEWS TV, Cleveland, Paige Horne, 15, of Stark County, Ohio, sends an average of 15,000 text messages a month -- that's an average of 500 messages a day!. Even so, she somehow finds time to keep her GPA above 3.0 while also playing high school basketball and volleyball. Regarding her technique, Horne responded, "I just don't look. I guess I had the phone a long time and I just know where the buttons are and I just hit them." With texting skills like these, we're pretty sure she could give the 13-year-old texting champion of the world a run for her money.

At that pace, Paige must literally be texting all the time. While walking, in the car, in class, and even while sleeping. We just hope she learns to take a break before she gets her license. [Source: newsnet5 via Geeksugar]



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Sleep Texting Is Like Sleepwalking, But for Text Messaging

by Tim Stevens, posted Jun 17th 2008 at 9:01AM

Sleep Texting: Modern Epidemic, or Myth?We've all heard of sleepwalkers -- people who wander the house (or neighborhood) at night completely unaware of what they're up to. There have been claims of other similarly motivated sleepers, too, like dozing drivers or even snoozing cooks, but a new supposed disorder has some experts crying foul: sleep texting, the act of sending text messages while asleep and without remembering a thing in the morning.

One such supposed sufferer is 24-year-old frequent texter Jessica Castillo, who, in the middle of the night, sent her boyfriend a text message that said "Baby u there? Need to tell somethin ...," then included a number of random digits and letters. The Italy, Texas resident sent a second similar message after the first one, but in the morning had zero knowledge of either. Others have reported similar incidents, leaving some to think that texting has become as innate an activity as walking to many.

Navigating through the menus on many phones to send a text is hardly an intuitive thing, and doing it without being awake is quite impressive, leaving many incredulous, thinking that people are simply lying to cover up for sending inadvertent messages at night.

It sounds believable enough to us, much more-so than some other claimed sleeping disorders, at least. [Source: TheStar.com]
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Famous French News Anchor Allegedly Fired Via Text Message

by Terrence O'Brien, posted Jun 16th 2008 at 1:26PMBreaking News

Long time news anchor at French network TF1, Patrick Poivre d'Arvor (known also as PPDA), has been fired in (according to some reports) the most unceremonious way possible -- via text message.

The beloved TV news anchor is one of the biggest TV personalities in France and was seen nervously texting during the Roland Garros tennis tournament (aka, the French Open). PPDA was reportedly trading messages with Patrick Le Lay, chairman of the board of TF1, and, according to Paris Match, was looking pretty bummed.

Despite these speculatons, PPDA claims to have heard about his dismissal the same way as the rest of the public, via the news. In September, PPDA will be replaced by Laurence Ferrari.

Of course, this isn't the first time we've seen someone fired or dumped via impersonal electronic means, and we don't expect it to be the last! Do you think it's wrong? [Source: Textually.org]
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With 78 Million Text Messages, 'American Idol' Breaks Records

by Terrence O'Brien, posted May 23rd 2008 at 6:01PMBreaking News

American Idol Breaks Text Messaging RecordsDespite what many of us predicted, 'American Idol' has not only just survived, but has gotten more popular as it continues its march through our pop-culture consciousness. Proof of that fact may lie in recent news from AT&T that this season of 'American Idol' broke text-messaging records by generating 78 million text messages through votes, trivia contests and other SMS content.

This record-setting seventh season also speaks to the increasing ubiquity of text messaging and the popularity of devices such as the T-Mobile Sidekick. It looks as though text messaging is well on its way to replacing 900 numbers and phone banks. [Source: I4U News via Textually.org]
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Texting Students Force Professor to Walk Out of Class

by Terrence O'Brien, posted Apr 7th 2008 at 1:10PMBreaking News


We've all had professors who had some absurdly strict class room rules, or a bizarre passive aggressive streak, but Syracuse University professor Laurence Thomas has combined both, much to the ire of his students and their parents.

The rule: No texting in class. A perfectly understandable rule. And one that really the students should have no problem following. But professor Thomas' way of dealing with texting students is more akin to an six year-old holding his breath until he gets that toy he so badly wants. No, Thomas isn't holding his breath at the front of the lecture hall until he simply passes out -- that would be hilarious. Instead, when professor Thomas catches a student texting, he simply walks out of class.

Naturally parents and students, who are spending over $30K a year on this education, are a little peeved. They claim that Thomas has a responsibility to teach or pay up. Thomas on the other hand seems to think his students need to learn a thing or two about respect.

Undeniably, the students shouldn't be texting during class, but the professor's sweeping punishment of the entire class for the actions of one student lead us to believe this guy was teaching sixth graders not that long ago. Then again, at least he's not reacting like the guy in the video above.

From Jossip

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Amazon Intros TextBuyIt, For Mobile Comparison Shopping

by Will Safer, posted Apr 3rd 2008 at 1:54PM

Amazon.com's TextBuyIt

We'll admit it. We've been chased out of a big box retailer or two for taking pictures of products and writing notes on prices. It seems comparison shopping isn't something these stores want their customers to be doing.

But in comes Amazon.com to the rescue.

The giant online retailer announced a new service called TextBuyIt for a little comparison shopping and buying, and it's as easy as sending a text and receiving a text message.

Here's how the new service from Amazon works:

First, find a product you want to buy. Send a text message to "AMAZON" (262966) with the name of the product, search term or a UPC or ISBN code, and in short order Amazon replies with the product or products that match the search, along with prices. To buy an item, reply to the text message by entering the unique single digit number next to the item you want. You then then receive a short phone call from Amazon with the final details of the order. Then you confirm or cancel the purchase.

Easy please-y.

If it's your first time using the TextBuyIt service, you'll be asked for your e-mail address and shipping ZIP code that's connected to your Amazon.com account. The e-tailer then uses your default settings for payment, shipping address and shipping speed.

This is another service that's similar to what our friends in Asia are already doing all the time. In Japan, it's common for shoppers to do their buying via mobile phone. Now we get to satisfy our need to shop on the fly, as well.

From Amazon.com and Reuters.


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London Lamp Posts Padded to Protect Distracted Texters

by Terrence O'Brien, posted Mar 6th 2008 at 1:19PM

Lamp Posts in London Padded to Protect Walk'n'Text-ers
We live in a dangerous world filled with murderers, terrorists, and lamp posts. That's right: lamp posts. Don't play coy with us. We know on at least one occasion you've been walking down the street texting away on your mobile phone and walked right into a lamp post or telephone pole.

British telephone directory service 118 118 is out to save Londoners from themselves and has started wrapping lampposts in thick padding. Apparently serious injuries from people paying less attention to where they were going and more to their tiny cell phone screen has inspired the company (along with charity Living Streets) to take action. The company will poll pedestrians in the area of the pilot program and if all goes well, Birmingam, Manchester, and Liverpool are next.

The best part about the 118 118 program is that there is simply nothing we can do to make it any funnier. Once in a while something comes along that is so perfectly hilarious we are forced to just let the story mock itself. If this was April we would have written this off immediately.

And for those of you who don't believe us:

From Engadget, Yahoo News, Metro, and Daily Mail

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New Jersey Bans Texting While Driving

by Will Safer, posted Feb 29th 2008 at 2:12PM

Texting while driving.


The seeds of driving safety are being planted in the Garden State.

Tomorrow marks Day 1 when talking on a cell phone without a hands-free headset or texting while driving becomes a primary offense in the state of New Jersey. This means police can pull over a driver for the phone-related infraction alone, instead of having to wait for another violation to occur -- such as speeding or driving without a seatbelt -- before doling out a ticket for the talking or texting offense.

This marks an increase in the seriousness with which officials in New Jersey are taking this major source of driving distraction, although plenty of other distractions are in play and allowed by law, like shaving, eating or even reading the newspaper, as a spokesman for AAA points out.

By elevating the infraction to a primary offense, New Jersey lawmakers have made it clear that the primary role of a person behind the wheel should be -- yes -- driving. Fines will range from $100 to $250, although oddly enough no motor-vehicle points will be assessed.

The New Jersey division of highway safety is launching an education campaign to coincide with the newly strengthened ordinance, and electronic signs on the state's highways will warn drivers of the new law and the consequences for drivers who run afoul.

According to a local police official from Southern New Jersey, he expects catching drivers will be an easy task, with so many of them using cell phones in a careless way. "Its going to be like shooting fish in a barrel."

Be advised.

From the Burlington County Times.


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Tennessee To Ban Texting While Driving

by Will Safer, posted Feb 21st 2008 at 4:10PM

Texting while driving.

Americans are adept at adopting new technology, and texting (sending a text message via a cell phone) is one of the new tools that has been easily learned and utilized among a population that seems driven to constant communication -- and in many cases, driven to distraction.

Take the rise in incidents in which someone writing or reading a text message while driving ends up causing an automobile accident. Several states have enacted or are considering laws to ban texting while driving. Add now Tennessee to the list of places where fumbling with a digital device while driving may soon be illegal, following a trend that is picking up speed around the country.

New Jersey and Washington State already ban the activity and the proposed Tennessee law would slap offenders with a $50 fine plus a $10 court cost. The Tennessee state senate transportation committee has already had a hearing on the bill, introduced by Republican state senator Jim Tracy. The state House has not yet scheduled hearings as the Senate won't be voting for at least another two weeks.

From The Tennessean.

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Driver Causes Fatal Wreck While Texting On Cellphone

by Will Safer, posted Feb 13th 2008 at 4:05PM

Texting while driving is dangerous.

Here's a somber reminder of why it's important to pay attention to the road while driving.

A California woman was driving along a highway at 66 miles per hour when she crashed in to a line of cars stopped by a construction zone. Why didn't she see the line of cars stopped ahead of her? Because she was too busy sending text messages from her cell phone.

Many states and provinces in North America have banned talking on cell phones without a hands-free device while driving. Some states are going a step further, banning use of a cell phone while driving altogether. But fewer states and municipalities have banned texting while driving. Some are getting wise to this major and dangerous distraction, with Washington State leading the way.

A 2006 University of Utah study found that people driving while talking on a cell phone were as impaired as if they were driving with a 0.08 percent blood-alcohol level. Another 2006 study by Liberty Mutual Insurance Group and SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) found that instant and text messaging while driving leads the list as the biggest distraction while driving for teens.

From Textually.org.

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Texting For Turnout On Super Tuesday

by Will Safer, posted Feb 5th 2008 at 4:10PM

Texting the Obama campaign.

The Obama campaign has been reaching out to younger voters during the lead-up to Super Tuesday by telling them to text "HOPE to 62262" to learn more about how to participate in caucuses.

The traditional way to get the message out -- especially in caucus states, where every person who shows up at a caucus site can have much greater impact than someone voting in a primary -- is through targeted mailings and phone calls. But this texting message is going out over the radio airwaves via stations geared toward younger listeners. The radio ad details the date and time of the caucuses.

Those who send the text message get a response asking for their zip code, which is used to provide local information to the voter.

Since the message is going out over the radio, it could inspire people who support other candidates to go to the caucuses, but Obama's people seem to believe that the greater the turnout the more support he'll receive.

(Are you still undecided? Try glassbooth.org to see how your views line up with the candidates'.)

Does this call for texting work? According to a study by the University of Michigan and Princeton University, text messages to newly registered voters increased the likelihood of voting by 4.2 percentage points.

From the Wall Street Journal.

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Locked Toilets in Finland Unlocked with TXT Messages

by Terrence O'Brien, posted Feb 5th 2008 at 9:44AM

Text to Open Finish Toilets
Fed up with vandals and people who don't light a match after dropping the kids off at the pool, the Finish government has started locking the country's public, roadside toilets. Signs posted outside inform the user that in order to unlock the lavatory, one must text the word "open" (in Finish) to a short code and the door will be unlocked remotely.

The system will allow police to track down criminals, vandals, and those who leave the seat up.

From Boing Boing

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Text Messages Blocked In Sri Lanka out of Security Concerns

by Will Safer, posted Feb 4th 2008 at 2:38PM

Text messaging in Sri Lanka was suspended Monday by that country's government for fear that Tamil Tiger rebels would use the system to scare people away from independence day celebrations.

The country's telecommunications regulator ordered the suspension of SMS text messages for the duration of the celebration and the leading service provider, Dialog, complied.

In the Western world, we often hold Edward Bulwer-Lytton's famous line "The pen is mightier than the sword" to be a hard-fast truth but it seems in some tension-filled regions the pen -- or in this case the text -- could be used to instill fear, or worse.

While most of the country engaged in celebrations, suspected rebels blew up a passenger bus, killing 13 people. This follows other suicide attacks during the weekend.

Besides blocking text messages, the government also blocked main roads throughout Sri Lanka's capital city of Colombo.

From Textually.org.


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Baby Seal Sends Text Messages to Scientists

by Terrence O'Brien, posted Jan 25th 2008 at 3:09PM

Seal Sends Text Messages to Scientists
The Society for the Study and Protection of the Mediterranean Seal (what a mouthful), or MOm, have fitted a baby monk seal with a cellular transmitter that will keep them updated via text message. After the seal was rescued in rough seas only a few hours after being born, MOm nursed the adorable creature back to health and trained it to survive on its own.

Before setting the newly feral seal free, researchers strapped it with a transmitter that will relay the seal's position, depth, times spent in and out of the water, and swimming speed all via standard SMS messages. Thankfully for the researchers, the whole thing is automated.

The seal might have trouble banging out "I'm on the island of Rhodes" with those tiny little flippers.

From Textually.org

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