Really cool article about the similarities between texting today and Egyptian iconography:

A new global language is being developed, inspired by "new media," the surge in technology and the ubiquity of new symbols and images that have replaced traditional words. This language is forming as the market demands it, the consumer craves it and will inevitably affect traditional language use as we know it. This new language does not discriminate, but rather, enables greater universal ability and even access to communication. It is a visual vocabulary with great benefits. As you who use the most cutting-edge icon-enabling technology (that the West takes credit for) ask yourself: Does any of this sound familiar? Are you as cool, hip, and innovative as you think?

Texting is creating a completely new social and mobile language!

Continue reading the full article @ The Huffington Post.

Mobile apps for political campaigns are becoming increasingly popular and relevant. Candidates are even utilizing Facebook and Twitter to notify people of candidacy announcements, travel schedules, and other events!

“The demand for it, to be able to do it, is going to grow a lot, particularly if it’s shown that apps are an effective way to raise money for a political campaign,” said Peter Scheer, executive director of the California-based First Amendment Coalition.

Continue reading at Chicago Sun Times

We'd like to point out a great article over at SmarterTechnology.com. Writer Dennis McCafferty looked at the great things that Ez Texting client Saddleback Church is doing with text messaging:

One of Ez Texting's more high-profile customers is Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., one of the largest churches in the nation. (Superstar minister Rick Warren is the founder.) The church selected Ez Texting's group-text messaging platform and then connected its entire membership database to the Ez Texting SMS gateway. This large-scale connection uses application programming interface (API), which allows the church's computer system to interact with the Ez Texting messaging system for seamless, automated communications. When parents attend services, they get alerts when a situation comes up involving one of their children attending a program outside the main church. This replaced an older, more antiquated pager system. Saddleback also sends daily Bible verse messages via text.

During major services, such as those for Christmas and Easter, Saddleback integrates text messaging within the program. The most recent Easter service, for example, was held at Angel Stadium in Anaheim and broadcast on XM/Sirius satellite radio, as well as via a Webcast. Those attending in virtual fashion were encouraged to text Saddleback to 313131 to interact when a trivia contest was featured. The church has also used the texting connection to send information to interested audiences about its history and mission, and for message-building and recruitment purposes.

Want to learn about how to use text messaging for your church? Head over to the ministry resources center.

P&G's head of e-commerce and new marketing models spoke at a recent Mobile Conference. He addressed how powerful and important mobile marketing is, and also put to rest the misconception that mobile marketing requires a lot of time, money, and expertise:

“You need to be up to speed with mobile and convince those with the purse strings,” he said. “Mobiles are smaller, cheaper and more powerful than ever. They have now become the retailer of choice, your personally designed shopping mall open 24/7,” quoted the IAB website.

Some spot on comments over at Equi Media about SMS Marketing:

As generic or long-winded messages are likely to be ignored, Mr Hyett said texts should be personalised and concise.

"You can merge in their details, their favourite offers – anything about your customers you can merge in and make them feel special," he explained.

But he advised against using text speak in marketing messages as "people just don´t like it" before adding that it is "very important" that messages are sent at time relevant to their content.

Read more @ Equi Media.

Want to learn more about text message marketing? Read our guide: Mobile Marketing with Text Messaging.

Shane Neman, our CEO, will be talking this Friday at 12 Hours Of Tech. Don't miss his talk: Why TXTing Your Customers Is What They Want

12 Hours Of Tech, produced by Smallbiztechnology.com, producer of the Sixth Annual Small Business Summit and Taste of Technology Small Business Series takes place on Friday, June 11, 2010 on the occasion of Internet Week NY 2010.

12 Hours Of Tech brings together leading technology companies to share their insight in how your growing business can use technology as a tool.

12 Hours Of Tech will help you understand how to use some of the hottest technologies to save time, save money, boost revenue, increase customer service and raise profits.

Head over to the 12 Hours Of Tech Site, Follow Them On Twitter, And Follow Shane Too!

Check out our latest press release over @ PRWeb:

When Saddleback Church wanted to enhance their services, they turned to text messaging. Saddleback Church chose Ez Texting’s group text messaging platform for its low cost, and flexible, powerful API. Saddleback connected their membership database to the Ez Texting text messaging gateway using the API. All communications are synchronized and seamless.

• Check out the entire press release.
• See the Saddleback Case Study.
• Learn About Texting For Your Church Or Ministry.

The April 3rd release of the Apple iPad has proven to be beyond successful- 2 million units have sold! It looks like Apple is on track to meet the industry’s expectations of selling more than 5 million iPads by the end of 2010. 

How much money is Apple looking at?

RBC Capital Markets, however, predicts that as many as eight million units may ship worldwide before 2011 arrives, a scenario that could generate some $4 billion in revenue for Apple, according to Reuters.

Read all about it at Mobile Marketing Watch.