Texting + Driving = Uh Oh.
The New York Times has posted a driving game that measures how your reaction time is affected by external distraction (i.e., text messages on your mobile phone). After playing this game for a few minutes, I can definitely say that I have a new appreciation for states like California and New York, which have banned cell phone use while driving.
Think you can multitask while driving? Click here to prove it.
Very recently, Punchkick Interactive was asked to create a mobile marketing campaign by a client representing Motel 6. The goal of the campaign was to influence the buying behavior of Hispanics who are traveling on spontaneous road trips.
The SMS campaign integrates with traditional radio advertising, and offers travelers a way to sign up for alerts of fun events in their destination city. Travelers who sign up receive three days of event information. Mobile Marketer wrote a great article summarizing the details of this campaign.
Certain SMS Messages Fail on the Palm Treo
This is just a quick note for all you mobile marketers out there. A very specific text string in an SMS message will not work on the Palm Treo—regardless of wireless carrier.
The issue is as follows. Sending a link WITH “http://” but WITHOUT “www” will not work. For instance, “Visit http://groups.google.com” won’t be delivered. However, “Visit http://www.groups.google.com” will be delivered. Very strange, but very fixable.
Adriana Gil Miner created a great video for her blog, Digital Ecologist, outlining today’s issues with SMS spam, privacy, and how mobile marketing law in the United States may be influenced over the next several years by the CAN SPAM Act. This follows up on Pogue’s Post about The Worst Spam Ever.
Learn more about Punchkick Interactive’s mobile marketing capabilities.
New ‘Google Wake Up Kit!’ Spotted on Google Calendar
While using Google Calendar this morning I noticed a new feature titled, “Google Wake Up Kit!” I clicked on it because I often have trouble waking up. Unfortunately, however, it was just an April Fools Day joke from Google.
In combination with the kit, you can receive a new type of notification from Google Calendar, called the “wake up” notification. This notification is relentless in ensuring your timely awakening from restful slumber.
The “wake up” notification uses several progressively more annoying alerts to wake you up. First it will send an SMS message to your phone. If that fails, more coercive means will be used. The kit includes an industrial-sized bucket and is designed to be connected to your water main for automatic filling. In addition, a bed-flipping device is included for forceful removal from your sleeping quarters. Learn more.
Learn more about Punchkick Interactive’s custom mobile software capabilities.
Verizon Wireless to Offer Unlimited Voice, Data, and Messaging Packages
Engadget reports that they have received a flood of tips stating that Verizon to offer unlimited voice, data, and messaging packages. It is reported that starting Tuesday, February 19th the following plans should be available:
- $100 – Nationwide Unlimited (voice)
- $120 – Nationwide Select Unlimited (voice, SMS, MMS)
- $140 – Nationwide Premium (voice, SMS, MMS, VZNav, VCAST, email)
- $150 – Nationwide Email and Messaging (voice, SMS, MMS, and data)
- $170 – Nationwide Global Email and Messaging (voice, SMS, MMS, and international data)
- $200 – Family plan with two lines, $100 per additional line
Additionally, the sources at Engadget claim that premium paying subscribers will also receive the following additional perks:
- The 5GB cap on data will be lifted
- The plans will be available on one or two year agreements
- There will not be a contract extension for current customers
- All plans include mobile Web 2.0 portal access
- No roaming or long distance charges
Random links for Monday, June 25th
- Is Google going to launch a Google-branded handset?
A short post asks this question citing Google’s announced partnership with LG Electronics. - Creating and Testing Mobile Web Sites with Adobe CS 3
Short article on testing .mobi sites with Dreamweaver CS3 and Device Central. It’s another great read from Scott. - Vodka Authentication by SMS
Apparently, counterfeit Vodka is running rampant in Russia. To combat that effort, the Russian government is creating a Vodka authentication system via SMS. “By sending the serial number of the bottle to a designated short code, they will get a response by SMS certifying (or not) the product.” - Penrillian .sis Packager
Penrillian have recently released a useful .NET application that allows anyone to package up passive content (music, images, ebooks etc) as part of standard UIQ or S60 .sis install. - Nokia Mobile Web Server
- ustwo is hiring interface designers
- iPhone guided tour from Apple
- Top 10 phones for playing games
It is what it is. Every list of links needs a good “top 10″ article. - Appleiphany
“Appleiphany (noun): The feeling experienced when using or viewing an Apple device, questioning why the heck things haven’t worked like this all along. Example: When viewing the recent iPhone Guided Tour, I kept asking myself why mobile phones don’t already do all this stuff… seriously, it’s so dang obvious. See also hindsight.”
SMS campaign demonstration. Feedback requested.
We are experimenting with sending phones SMS messages based on actions within a Flash Lite movie. To test this, we have implimented a way for our visitors to sample an SMS campaign—simply type your mobile number in the form located at the top right of our blog. Use the following format: 12165261544 (country code + area code + local number). Unfortunately, we have not been able to test this on all carriers or outside of the United States. If you do test this, please comment on the success or failure of the text message delivery by including your country and cell phone carrier.
Thanks for your help!
Punchkick Interactive blog aggregated by MXNA
After several months of posts, we finally decided to have www.punchkickinteractive.com/blog/ aggregated by MXNA. The Punchkick Interactive blog discusses all things mobile marketing including: Flash Lite enabled software, BREW, sms campaigns, and mobile Web sites. The blog is maintained by Ryan Unger and Zak Dabbas—co-owners of Punchkick Interactive mobile marketing and design firm.
Dodgeball.com – Using LBS, this tool finds friends and crushes near you
This may be old news but it is new news to me. One of Time Magazine’s 50 best sites is actually valid as a best site. http://www.dodgeball.com lets you join a community that uses location-based services (LBS) to find other community members via your mobile.
Basically, you log in via your cell and send an SMS message with your location—this gets broadcast to your friends. The other service dodgeball.com offers is notifying your crushes (that you define via dodgeball.com) that you are within 10 city blocks of them. It’s pretty cool. The homepage has an animated tutorial.
Learn more: http://www.dodgeball.com
