A new report from Portio Research focused on mobile messaging suggests that SMS will continue to be the cash cow of mobile data revenues for some time to come. Traffic volumes and revenues continue to confound predictions and are expected to keep growing throughout the global economic downturn. Indeed the whole mobile messaging industry worth USD 130 billion in 2008 is predicted to be worth USD 224 billion by 2013, 60 percent of non-voice service revenues. The report, ‘Mobile Messaging Futures 2008 – 2013’ ventures that there is nothing likely to stop continued growth of mobile messaging in the short term, driven by a cocktail of ubiquitous SMS, media rich MMS, enterprise based mobile email and youth conscious mobile IM.

SMS remains ‘King’ because there is no cheap, easy to use alternative that will work with all phones and across all networks, it is loved the world over.

Partnership reinforces Sonim’s status as rising mobile carrier for rugged users

San Mateo, Calif., December 3, 2008 – Sonim Technologies announced today that it will embark on a partnership with Land Rover, which includes the launch of co-branded mobile phone products as well as an eco-friendly packaging. Land Rover, recognising adventurers’ desire for a full roster of mobile and durable products, engaged Sonim to become its licensing partner for a line of rugged cell phones that are designed to compliment the lifestyle of the outdoor adventurer.

Two co-branded phones will enter the market by mid-2009 - the Land Rover S1 by Sonim and Land Rover S2 G4 by Sonim. This will be followed later in the year by the launch of a third Land Rover phone. Sonim and Land Rover will co-market the phones to top operators, mobile retailers and consumers in a staggering 40 countries.

Zagat Survey and Handmark® Launch First ZAGAT TO GOSM Application For iphoneTM

London, UK, December 2nd, 2008 – Zagat Survey, the world’s leading provider of consumer survey-based leisure information, and Handmark®, a global leader in the development and distribution of mobile media, today announced the release of ZAGAT TO GOSM ‘09 for iPhoneTM and iPod® touch users.  The new application gives users access to Zagat’s trusted ratings and reviews for over 40,000 restaurants, hotels,nightspots and shops in over 100 countries. It is immediately available through the Apple® App Store for a one time special price of $9.99 ($29.99 value) in honor of Zagat’s 30th Birthday.

Besides the Zagat ratings and reviews, there are photos, menus, Google maps, click to call capabilities and functionality that allows users to make instant restaurant reservations.  Users can easily search out establishments around the world using GPS (where available), current address, intersection coordinates, or postal codes (US).  

2nd December, 2008 - Telephonetics VIP, a leading provider of speech recognition and intelligent customer interaction technology, surveyed attendees at Call Centre Expo [1] to ascertain how they are going to exit the current economic climate in a stronger position. Loud and clear, we heard that focus on the customer is key. The winners will be those who strive to keep their customers happy, whilst also trying to save money. 

And this is where automation plays a crucial part. The routine and repetitive can be automated to give customers a clear and consistent way of transacting. As part of that automation, an immediate survey can be carried out giving management incredibly valuable information about how they are viewed by their customers (or suppliers or employees).

100% of respondents cited customer surveys as important. 100% also wanted to improve their response rates. Organisations are keen to learn customer opinion but do not have the resources available to collect the data, or worry that the act of asking a customer for input will of itself create customer unhappiness! Customer opinion is especially important in the current uncertain economic climate.