Mobile Web Usage Grows 34% Year Over Year

advanced34    Cell Phones, Technology     communication, mobile marketing

Women Are Using Mobile More And More

Over 56.9 million consumers accessed the web using a mobile device in July 2009 up from 42.5 million a year earlier. This represents a 34% increase year-over-year. (Nielsen).  Growth year-over-year among ages 13 to 17 (45%) and users 65 and over (67%) outpaced other mobile web user demographics. While men continue to constitute 53 % of the mobile web audience, female mobile users increased 43% year-over-year while the male audience grew 26% over the same period.

Mobile Advertising To Grow 74% in 2009

advanced34    Cell Phones, mobile marketing, Technology     mobile marketing, mobile marketing statistics.

According to a new Gartner report, mobile ad spending will grow this year 74% worldwide. The projected amount is $913.50 million  although they site that it will not really accelerate until 2011 when advertisers are expected to boost mobile spending as part of a trend toward digital marketing channels.

By 2013, mobile advertising spending should reach $13 billion with the Asia-Pacific region leading the way, followed by North America and Europe.

A combination of the  increase in smartphones and flat-rate data plans will contribute to this trend.  According to the Gartner report, consumer usage of smartphones will be 45.5% of all phone sales by 2013, up from just over 9% in 2008.

World Telemedia 2009

advanced34    900 Numbers, Canada, Cool Stuff, mobile marketing, Technology     world telemedia, WT09

WT09 focuses on areas that represent a genuine opportunity for service providers and media groups alike whilst showcasing the content, services and applications that consumers will continue to demand in 2009 and beyond:

• Chat & Dating
• Psychic, Horoscope & Life Coaching
• Casinos & Gambling
• Competitions, Lotteries & Bingo
• UGC & Social Networking
• Information & Entertainment Services
• Developments in Billing
• Interactive Media & Marketing
• Working with Aggregators
• International Market Updates

This show has consistently brought together delegates from each sector of the Telemedia “value chain” to learn, network and do business in some of Europe’s best hotel venues. Combining seminars, workshops, exhibition, hospitality, 5 star networking and a packed schedule of lavish evening events, WT09 embraces the most exciting areas of web, media, marketing, mobile and fixed line in a unique 24/7-trading environment.

We’re looking forward to seeing you at this valuable industry forum and hope that if you haven’t already booked, you’ll take this opportunity to consider making the trip to Malta.

You’ll find us, Advanced Telecom Services, so we look forward to forward to seeing you there::

• 26^TH – 28^TH APRIL
• CORINTHIA SAN GORG HOTEL
• ST JULIANS
• MALTA
• www.etevent.co.uk

 AT A GLANCE 

•  Networking Pass Euro 350
• Full Delegate +Euro 200 or Casino, Lottery and Sports Book +Euro 130
• Weekend Networking Pass +Euro 150
• Poker Tournament +Euro 40
• Buffet or sit down lunch included with all passes
• Over 300 registered participants
• Over 30 Sponsors, Exhibitors & Promoters on the show floor
• Welcome Party – Sunday 26^th
• Cocktails on the Poolside Terrace each night
• Club 22 Party & Poker Tournament – Monday 27^th   

Advanced Telecom Services Sponsors World Telemedia Show

advanced34    900 Numbers, Canada, Cell Phones, IVR, mobile marketing, Technology, Text Messaging     Bob Bentz, World Telemedia 2009

Advanced Telecom Services is a sponsor of the World Telemedia Event to be held April 26 – 28 in Malta. 

Each year, World Telemedia attracts over 900 senior decision makers from over 50 countries worldwide.  The 2009 World Telemedia Event will be held at the San Gorg Marina & Resort on the historic island of Malta.

Advanced Telecom Services’ president Bob Bentz will be a featured speaker at World Telemedia 2009.  Bentz will be speaking about the 900 number premium rate industry in the United States and Canada and also about the mobile marketing industry in North America.

Advance Telecom Inc. is not Advanced Telecom Services, Inc.

advanced34    Technology     Advance Telecom, Advance Telecom Inc, Advance Telecom Inc ripoff, Advance Telecom ripoff, online software download

Advanced Telecom Services is not in the business of supplying software downloads from the internet.

What if your name were Jeffrey Damer?  Or Adolph Hilter?

It would be tough going through life with a name like that wouldn’t it?

Lately, we at Advanced Telecom Services, Inc., (with offices in Wayne, Pennsylvania–London, England–Prague, Czech Republic) have been feeling the same way. 

You see, there is a company out there on the internet named Advance Telecom Inc. that is creating a less than reputable image.  Numerous people on the internet have been ripped off by Advance Telecom Inc. from the downloading of its software online. 

Unfortunately, the name of the alleged ripoff company, Advance Telecom, Inc.,  is eerily similar to our company name, Advanced Telecom Services, Inc. 

When the software is downloaded and payment is made by paypal, the payee often appears as “sales@unlimited.com“.  Like you, we have attempted to find this company, but have been unable to.  Some victims of the Advance Telecom Inc. ripoff have said that it is a company in Pakistan, but we don’t know for sure.

We have heard sale prices from $19.99 to $69.14 for its various products that include Macromedia Flash, Nero 8 DVD burners, AVG virus protection, TokBox, Adobe Reader, iTunes, SpyBot Search & Destroy, and an online virus scanner.

We at Advanced Telecom Services, Inc. have been supplying interactive telephone services since 1989.  Obviously, we would not have enjoyed a 20+ year successful business if we were involved in these sorts of online ripoffs by Advance Telecom Inc.  So, while we sympathize for your financial losses from getting ripped off by that other company, Advance Telecom Inc., please note that we have nothing to do with them.

We are Advanced Telecom Services and are in no way affiliated with the company Advancd Telecom Inc. that is selling software online and has so many complaints against it.

So, please don’t call our offices and yell at us.  We have nothing to do with it.

Easy Money! Get A 900 Number!

txtlover1    900 Numbers, Canada, IVR, Technology     900 Numbers, get a 900 number, USA 900 numbers, virtual chat

One of the greatest things about America is the freedom we have. Behind every door and around every corner there is opportunity. Recently my employer asked me to cut down my hours to help defray costs. I needed a way to earn the extra income I was losing and still be able to keep my other job.

I found a great website called Geta900Number.com. This site allows you to set up a 900 number right from your computer. You just go through their simple sign up and you can start promoting your number right away!  I started two weeks ago and I have already made up the difference in my income for the next month!  I started a “Virtual Chat Line” where people can meet and talk. I make over $2 per minute and most calls are an average of 8 minutes. That’s extra money in MY pocket!

I check the call usage each  night right after I put the kids to bed to see how much money I made that day. I can finally get a good night sleep now, knowing I can still pay my bills.

Text Messaging and Romance

advanced34    Cell Phones, Dating, Technology, Text Messaging     cell phone dating, mobile dating, text message dictionary, text-message dating

Recently, I had a rather lovely blind date with a gentleman I’ll call Jim. The evening was pretty much perfect. Great food, good conversation and no groping for any off-limit areas when the night ended. “This was fun,” Jim said, “I’d like to do it again sometime.” I gave him a casual, “Me too,” response and that was it.

Two days later my cell phone snaps me out of a daydream as I stare aimlessly at my computer monitor at work. It’s a text message. Thinking one of my girlfriends must be the sender, I casually open my phone. I’ts Jim. His message reads, “Are you free tomorrow night? I know a great steak place”.

What should I do? Ignore the message for a couple hours so he doesn’t think I am “waiting by the phone?” If I do, will he think that I am not text-message literate and therefore totally un-hip? Or do I respond right away, but with something vague like, “Got ur msg. Busy @ wrk. Call l8tr.”?  Oh the trials and tribulations of advanced technology!!

 I decide on a tactic somewhat in-between. I will wait for an hour, text back with, “Sounds gr8. What time were u thinking?” and then he will know I was too busy to respond right away, right? Or maybe my delayed response will make him think I am blowing him off, and he will make other plans! AAAHH!

 As I mentally tackle this challenge, the clock continues to tick. Thirty minutes pass. Then forty. Almost an hour now. Is it too soon? Is it too late?

I decide to take a break from my desk, and resolve to text back when I return.  I purposefully leave my cell phone on my desk so I won’t even be tempted by it. But alas, the odds are against me. As I get up and push my chair back getting ready to rise, I inadvertently knock over my giant coffee and it spills all over my desk, soaking my cell phone and all the secrets it holds. It is dead. I know it is as soon as I see the screen fade out. Now there will be no return text message to Jim, no great second date, no blissful romance. Jim’s number is stored in that phone which is now a fish in a pond of coffee, never to be revived again.

 I should have texted him back right away.

The Newest Learning Tool? The Cell Phone

advanced34    Cell Phones, Technology, Text Messaging     communication, learning tool, student, Text Messaging

Yes, it is here. It is the age in which teachers use the ubiquitous cell phone as a tool in their classrooms. That is what one instructor at UNLV is doing to teach students about the English language.

Text messaging finds its roots in on-line instant messaging programs, but has emerged into a platform from which people send 1 billion text messages per year. Text messaging has what most languages have, it’s own dictionary which is being updated daily. This language has made its way into the everyday life of students everywhere.

Teachers have seen text-speak show up in tests in the form of”b/c” for because, “thx” for thanks and “4” instead of for. But, argue some, these appearances of text-speak may provide a valuable learning experience.

There are teachers who believe that a discussion about the differences between various slang and ‘standard English’ stemming from a student’s “text message instead of English” errors would be more than justified. The material would be more personal to the student than just a workbook page for example. That would make the lesson stick.

There are also students, to whom English is a second language. Some of these students explain that because text messaging is in English, it has helped them to use English more. Instead of a mix between their native language and English, as some of these students will speak, text messaging is all English.

Teachers have expressed however, that the act of text messaging itself is a distraction to the texting student, students around him/her and therefore the teacher, while in the classroom.

Text messaging is an easy and quick way to communicate with others. Students should take care however; to ensure that text-speak does not appear in their school work and to be considerate of others. The best way to do this can be as simple as a thorough proofreading of all assignments. This takes patience, time and effort, but will pay off greatly.

What Colors Do The Opposite Sex Prefer?

advanced34    Cell Phones, Dating, Technology, Text Messaging     cell phone dating, color preference, text-message dating

Before online dating and mobile (aka cell phone or text) dating, people met the old fashioned way; at a bar, or a party or even the gym. Someone just might catch your eye, across the room. Maybe it was their smile, maybe a great outfit or an athletic build. Whatever it was, it was something that you saw. 

Today, first impressions are not about what you first see, but what you learn about a person by reading their profile on line, or by chatting through text.  How do they spend their free time?  What kind of career do they have? Do they have kids? Are they from the area originally?  Do they like to play or watch sports? Do they go out and dance every Saturday night, or prefer to stay in and cook?

Actually seeing the person that has captured your interest through text or on-line is the last thing that happens when people connect nowadays, not the first! It is the polar opposite of what dating used to be.  Therefore, if you really think about it, modern technology has provided potential daters with the ever-elusive second chance at a first impression! It’s the first time you actually meet face to face, in the flesh. It’s the Second First Impression.

Relating to this are the color preferences between the sexes. Why? Well, because what’s the first question everyone asks themselves and any friend who will listen when they are looking forward to that first in-the-flesh meeting?  What should I wear?

Studies suggest that everyone likes blue.  It is the color that receives the most votes across the board, regardless of age or gender. Purple however, is the second most favorite among women, whereas it is the overall least favorite of men. Green gets 14% of the votes for both men and women.  Orange is equally low among both sexes, as is brown, yellow and white.

These are important statistics to know in this mobile dating, and online dating world for several reasons, beyond knowing what to wear on the Second First Impression date.

For example, what does your social networking page look like?  If you are a woman, trying to attract men, by all means, do not make purple your dominant design color. Remember, men do not like it, and may click right past your page.

Then there’s your font color.  Are you a girl who likes to send text messages in Dark Cyan or Bright Magenta?  A Dark Blue or Dark Green will be much better received!

Third, and most obvious, is The Outfit. Among both sexes, orange is the color that people tend to associate with being cheap and inexpensive.  Blue is appealing to most, and seems to have a calming and relaxing affect. With black getting only a 1% vote for least favorite among men and white getting 3% for least favorite color among women, you can use these color preferences to put together an appealing, Second First Impression outfit with no problem at all!

 Source: Color Assignment by Joe Hallock, @ www.joehallock.com/edu

Text Messaging: R U In2 It?

advanced34    Cell Phones, Technology, Text Messaging     communications, e-mail, kids texting, Text Messaging

 I am an avid text-messager.  Detractors say it’s impersonal, it’s cold.  I say, get with the times people!  It’s efficient. It’s easy. It’s private, and it’s pretty much free when I bundle it with the other cool stuff on my phone.   

And I sleep with my phone.  It wakes me every morning. It vibrates on my mattress, and gently lulls me awake better than any alarm clock on the planet.  I wake up happy to see my shiny little plastic friend lying next to me. He is so considerate and unobtrusive.

But back to text messaging. It is the bomb diggity. I can text my kids while they are in class (even though the school told me I am not allowed to) to find out how their day is.  Cut the cord you say?  Nah, not yet.  They love it. And I am the “Cool Mom” that everybody loves. That’s why all my kids’ friends love to come over to my house.  See where this is going? Yup, I am that smart.  Keep an eye on the little cherubs and troublemakers 24/7 because they love being around me.  See how effective text messaging can be in the Parenting column?

I text message my boyfriend. He is a moody, young-blood who can surprise me with his testosterone fueled anger some days. Solution?  Text him in the morning.  “Good morning!” I send.  If I get a “J” back, then I know the coast is clear.  If there is no response, his calls go into VM the rest of the day. Text messaging is like my own personal emotional bodyguard.

This brings me to my ex-husband.  Dear Lord!  What did women DO before text messaging??  Like many, I have had the unfortunate 4-year I-am-trying-to-get-divorced-without-going-broke experience. We are on generally civil terms right now (today) and I credit text messaging with that.

E-mail could never have blocked the anger and poison that would drip from every one of our communications in the last four years.  But texting does. “C U @ Marriot @ 5pm” is the extent of it these days when we are scheduling an exchange of our kids. “Runng l8. B there in 15” is a common text I’ll get from Mr. Reliable… Even as I work my thumb through a dreadful cramp as I punch out “Sum things nevr change!” I am thankful that I have this tool.  Without it, my kids might be minus one dad.

If only my divorce attorney accepted text.  SHE charges $26.50 per e-mail!!

So for me, and perhaps for many moms like me, text messaging is the communication tool of the future. Without it I might be the mother of some trouble-making, gang member, wild-child, be minus one very hot boyfriend, and could be in jail for leading my kids’ father to the crocodile pond at the zoo after they’ve been fasting for 3 weeks. Now that is a truly amazing feat!