Civil Liberty Groups Groups Sue U.S. for Data On Tracking By Cellphone

The ACLU and the EFF, two civil liberty groups, filed a lawsuit against the U.S. government yesterday, seeking records related to the government's use of cellphones as tracking devices. The Washington Post reports.

"The groups also want to know how many times the government sought location information without first establishing probable cause that a crime was taking place."

Restaurant reservations on your cellphone

Restaurant reservation site OpenTable.com has just launched Table Mobile, allowing people to make reservations via their web-enabled cellphone.

[via USA Today's Technology Live]

Subversive bathrom scales sends SMS with your weight

Core77 writes up 3 subversive bathroom scales designed by Alice Wang, a recent graduate of RCA.

On "White Lies", the further back you stand, the lighter you become on the digital display. On the "Half-Truth" scale, your partner becomes responsible for deciding whether to lie or come clean, since the display is on the front face of the device, out of the subject's view.

And relevent to this column, "Open Secret" reveals your weight every time you weigh yourself by sending a text message to a desired mobile phone.

Wang offers that "the receiver is then responsible to reveal the answer immediately, or the next time you two meet.

All of these projects were conceived as a reaction to Isaac Asimov's 1st law of robotics: A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm."

SMS Heat Wave Alerts

Spain is getting prepared for high temperatures of up to 40 degrees today and over the weekend, reports Typically Spanish and the Government will be ending advisory SMS text messages and emails to inform those at risk from the high temperatures, especially pensioners, the chronically ill and those who work in the fresh air.

Send Mobile Messages in Your Own Handwriting

KTF has launched a new SMS service enabling users to send a handwriting message over mobile networks, called Font of Your Own service. [via Telecoms Korea]

Official. Steve Jobs finally takes the wraps off 3G iPhone

Engadget is covering Steve Jobs keynote live from WWDC 2008 and the news is just in. It's official. The 3G iPhone will be available in 70 countries this year.

22 countries will be rolling out the iPhone 3G at the same time, July 11. Switzerland is one of them. Whew!

Read full Engadget coverage.

Send SMS Messages From Your iPod Touch

MogoTXT, a San Mateo, Calif.-based startup, has launched a service that allows you to send free SMS messages from your iPod Touch, which uses Wi-Fi to connect to the Internet.

The SMS messages, which are ad-supported, can be sent to either a single person or to groups. The service works with regular cell phones as well, as long as they have a web browser — and just not if the carrier is Verizon.

[via GigaOM]

SMS to combat youth knife crime

A plan to use SMS to combat youth knife crime is being trialled in schools in East London. Silicon.com reports.

"The text pilot enables youngsters to anonymously report classmates or other youths they suspect of carrying knives to anti-crime charity Crimestoppers UK.

The text informant scheme has been running for around a week in three schools in Tower Hamlets and is likely to continue until the end of the summer term. If successful, the plan is for the service to be rolled out to schools across the Capital and potentially even nationwide."

TeleFlip. Send and receive e-mail via text messaging

For e-mail via a cell phone, Sci-Tech Today tested Teleflip, a free service that lets you send and receive e-mail via text messaging.

Teleflip works with any e- mail account that doesn't require a secure connection to the Web. That applies to all the major Web-based e-mail providers, including Yahoo Mail, Hotmail and Gmail. Read full review.

Venice Launches SMS Flood Alerts

Cell phones will now tell Italians when the tide is high in Venice. The city government just launched a free text message alert system for the floods which frequently put La Serenissima under several feet of water.

Intended to assist waterlogged locals, the only real requirement for signing up is an Italian cell phone.

... These acqua alta alerts let users know up to 36 hours before floods hit, keeps them posted from three to six hours before storms and lets them know when things are clearing up and water is ebbing back into canals.

Given that there are far more cell phone subscriptions than Italians, it is one of those services whose time has long come.

reBlogged from Zoomata.com.

Secret messages could be hidden in net phone calls

The next time your internet (VoIP) phone call sounds a bit fuzzy, it might not be your ISP that's to blame. Someone could be trying to squeeze a secret message between the packets of data carrying the caller's voice. New Scientist reports.

"Two information scientists at the National Institute of Telecommunications in Warsaw, Poland, revealed last week that they are developing a "steganographic" system for VoIP networks.

Steganography is the art and science of writing hidden messages in such a way that no one apart from the sender and intended recipient even realizes there is a hidden message"

Taxi fare payment via SMS in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi residents will soon have the option to pay for taxis by sending an SMS from their mobile phones under a new e-payment system, reported Gulf News.

The system, called 'Q-cash', will be rolled out by the end of August or September this year. It is hoped that all taxis in the emirate will eventually offer it to their customers.

[via AMEinfo]

China uses text messaging to assure public

In order to reassure people and to squelch false rumors, the Chinese government is using SMS text messaging as well as internet postings to inform people that the areas where they live are not in the seismic zone. Over a million such messages were sent in nearby Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Guizhou Province.

[via Smart Mobs]

Clickatell SMS keeps 140 world delegates in touch

Clickatell, a global provider of messaging solutions - and faithful advertiser on this blog - , provided the South African Parliament with an SMS alert service to support communication at a recent assembly in the country. The Telecom reports.

The messaging service provided by Clickatell helped the South African parliament deliver notifications to parliamentary delegates from 140 countries meeting in Cape Town to discuss global issues.

With most delegates using their overseas cell phones and roaming on the South African network, SMS presented an easy, fast and cost effective way to stay in touch with each other.

Begging for alms by SMS

Pakistani beggars have started using mobile phones to fool people into giving them hefty alms in the name of religion.

As a matter of routine, they send messages asking for a credit of Rs 10-100 (25 cents-$2,50), offering in return a place in paradise.

Muhammad Usman, a businessman, told Daily Times that he received almost 10 messages a day in which a beggar used to ask him for mobile credit.

One message reads, “I am a poor man and my daughter is admitted to hospital. If you have faith in one God, please send me a credit of at least Rs 10. God may reward you and take you out of all troubles.

[via the Daily Times]

VW Live- polls customers at Times Square with SMS

From Autoblog

Volkswagen knows that 73% of the people want to take the tiny soap and shampoo from hotel rooms. They also know that 60% of ice cream buyers prefer cones over cups. On an apparent quest to learn everything, Volkswagen's just-announced multi-faceted polling effort, known as It's what the people want, "...is a way of keeping in touch with what matters to people today," according to Tim Ellis, Vice President of Marketing for VW of America.

In addition to the web-based polling, VW has also taken their efforts to Times Square where consumers may participate in live-polling, via text SMS, with the ABC Supersign (pictured above).

Siberia police experiment with traffic violation phone fines

According to the Courrier International (in French), the Siberia police is experimenting with an unusual way to collect traffic fines.

Traffic violators have the choice to pay a fine, or, send 10 text messages to their friends, reminding them to be respectful of the rules of the road.

The "SMS fine" concept was one of the entries in a contest by high school students from the city of Krasnoïarsk.

Jewellery that fits your phone screen

UK based jewellery retailer Fameo announced the launch of the first British mobile jewellery catalogue, a new mobile service.

This alternate version of the Fameo Jewellery Boutique, headquartered in London, has been specially designed for viewing on your mobile phone. Updated daily and includes all Fameo jewellery catalogues, as well as some exclusive content, such as access to your order tracking facility and SMS alerts service for the latest jewellery arrivals, price changes, order status and special promotions.

[via Press release]

'Free texting' between 38 countries

jaxtr, a Silicon Valley startup that lets users bypass a carrier's international phone charges via the Web, said it is offering free mobile phone text messages between 38 countries.

[via stuff]

BA sends over 11,000 SMS apologies

British Airways sent out over 11,000 SMSs in the week following the opening of its new Terminal 5, reports New Media Age.

" Its SMS traffic, which is managed by Incentivated rocketed as the terminal was hit by a series of troubles which resulted in hundreds of cancelled and delayed flights.

BA regularly uses the service, which is delivered in multiple languages to passengers globally, to remind passengers to check-in online, provide flight updates and to support its cargo business."

Image from The Telegraph.

Nationwide cellphone alert system in the works

Federal regulators as early as Wednesday are expected to take a major step toward development of a nationwide emergency alert system that would send text messages to cellphones and other mobile devices wherever a crisis occurs, reports USA Today.

"The FCC is slated to establish technical standards and other requirements that for the first time would make such communication possible, two FCC officials say. The officials requested anonymity because commissioners have not yet voted on the plan.

Although wireless carriers would not be required to upgrade their networks to accommodate the alerts, those that agree to participate would have to implement the FCC's standards. "

SMS Demo: A Unique SMS and Language Translation Technology

SMS Demo is a new service which enables anyone from their cell phone anywhere in the world, to send a text message to another cell phone, landline phone, email, or fax and have It automatically translated in over 30 languages in both text and audio.

Free trial applications and video demos are available here.

[via Press release]

Railway drivers, guards to be instructed through SMS

Another innovative application of text messaging: instructing New Dehli railway drivers and guards through SMS.

"All loco drivers and guards will be communicated through SMS about their duties as part of the Crew Management System," said a senior railway official.

The aim is to optimally utilise technology to increase efficiency and do away with the existing manual system. We have finalised the SMS modules and it will be applicable to all categories of drivers," said the official.

[via ZeeNews]

Mobile phones as language learning tool

According to The Daily Yomiuri, several companies are offering language-learning services as an option to the usual video games or e-mail.

"Recent advances in cell phone technology have resulted in sound quality high enough that users can distinguish slight differences in pronunciation of the target language. The cited disadvantages of using cell phones for such study methods--small screens--are not likely to bother people using their phones for listening practice.

... Students using the cell phone system progressed faster than those using the computer version."

BeamMe

Now in public Beta mode, BeamMe.info offers users a simple and useful platform to retain information from a website on their mobile phones.

A Beam is a button that sits next to website content, and when clicked allows users to immediately send that information directly to their mobile phone for free.

To view a live Beam in action click here.

SMS warms up your car

The Webasto Thermo Top E Parking Heater allows users to send a text message to a car where it is installed, which then kicks it into action, ensuring your car is warm to the touch when you get in.

[The Red Ferret via Gizmodo]

SMS Cuts Bike Theft

A system that combines a motion detector and SMS is being used to deter and catch bicycle thieves in Portsmouth. 160characters.org reports.

"A Cycle Monitoring System using SOS Response's Wireless Asset Security Protection (WASP) allows owners to lock up their bikes in CCTV-controlled secure areas at railway stations, campuses, and town centres. When the system was piloted in Portsmouth last October through December, bike crime was reduced by 90 per cent.

When the bicycle owner locks up their bicycle they send a text to a security office to trigger the system to guard it. Then if someone then moves, or tries to move the bicycle, a sensor in the lock emits a silent alarm which triggers a CCTV camera to zoom in and take a picture. "

JotYou Sends SMS Based on Locations

JotYou is an MS service which takes into consideration your location. It means your text message will only be received once the recipient reaches a certain location. [via Mobile Weblog]

Send messages from your computer or mobile phone. Send to one friend, many friends, or just yourself. Specify a location so your friends get a message when they arrive at school or the mall. When your friends arrive at the location you specify, JotYou alerts them by sending your text message to their cell phone, and delivering the message.

Book, pay for and receive air tickets on mobile phones

Hindu reports that E-commerce player MakeMyTrip has launched a system with mChek that lets customers to search, book, pay for and receive domestic air tickets on mobile phones.

Customers send ‘MakeMyTrip’ as SMS to 543219. A menu appearing on screen allows them to search, book and pay for tickets through their handsets, completing the entire transaction.

An e-ticket and PNR number will be delivered to the handset. The system links users’ credit cards to their mobile numbers through a one-time registration. There will be an mChek PIN number. "

A Mobile Language Line for Domestic Violence Victims

A new California State program brings translation services to non-English speaking victims of domestic violence in over 170 languages, all via mobile phone.

As Kathy Black, Executive Director of La Casa de las Madres, a program for battered women, teens, and their children, explained, “Our monolingual and bilingual domestic violence clients are in even more danger when they can’t tell the police about what is going on for them.”

[via MobileActive.org]