Live from ETel - Extending SMS and MMS
Dorrian Porter demoes Google Earth, with a soundtrack of theme music. Really, it makes it far more interesting to watch that globe spin with suspenseful orchestral arrangements building in the background — then he zooms in to England, saying the first SMS message sent was in the UK, sending the message, Merry Xmas. The fundamental meaning behind SMS is the message from husband to wife, “On the train,” — meaning you can communicate where you are and what your current situation is to your loved ones.
In the london bombing, SMS and MMS allowed witnesses to send out real-time reports with images.
Another famous use is a prime minister who broke up with a girlfriend via SMS: “That’s it - PM.”
In France and Spain, SMS is used to communicate weather alerts to citizens.
85% of new subscriptions are going to developing countries in general. Africa’s another hot spot for SMS and mobile technologies – campaigns asking for help, stopping the spread of AIDS, spreading information about food and water availability, etc.
The British govt. is sending messages to soldiers and citizens in Iraq via SMS, for instructions and as a propaganda tool.
In India, the growth rate is amazing and has a similar impact as in Africa - 50% growth. Like Africa, they’re using it for agriculture, marketplace issues.
In Thailand, as a result of the tsunami, SMS is using weather alerts.
In Malaysia, it’s legal to get a divorce via SMS, and that was proven in court.
People have been arrested for receiving fake messages across the world, including the Netherlands, such as messages supposedly from Osama bin Laden, so it’s clear there is government monitoring.
Korea uses less SMS than other countries, but has ubiquitous broadband and more mobile technology.
In Japan, kids have RFID alerts that tell parents when kids are leaving school.
Fans in the US use SMS to communicate about American Idol and tv/celebrity information. SMS in the US is driven by young people. In New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina, there were people who could only ask for help via SMS, and reporters who only had SMS to log in reports.
MMS for photo messaging is the largest used in the US. This can be tied to user generated content.