billion in lost SMS revenue last year. In South Korea, for example, the staggering popularity of social messaging services such as KakaoTalk and Daum’s MyPeople have driven down SK Telecom’s SMS traffic considerably. Put another way, mobile operators may be losing SMS revenues, but they are also gaining smartphone subscribers and the data plans that come as part of the package. Informa is still forecasting that SMS will remain a multi-billion dollar industry for mobile operators through 2016, with global SMS revenues rising from US$114.9 In a word: buoyant. MORE >>

Download these best Women safety apps for your smartphone and it could help you send emergency SOS SMS alerts, emails, Facebook notifications and even call friends with a single tap of the app should you need help while travelling alone at night, or being confronted with a threatening dangerous situation. CircleOf6  app when used will send a predecided SMS to your friends with your GPS location and a ‘Come and Get Me’ message. Fightback  utilizes your smartphone’s GPRS, SMS, GPS, maps, email and linked Facebook account to send SOS messages when needed. MORE >>

adults want to be reached by using SMS. OS or SMS? Mobisoul suggested mobile-savvy operating systems (OS) may displace SMS. While several commented that smartphone may well win out in the end, many more argued that SMS has the reach and the all-important personal touch. As @noahelkin pointed out: “SMS remains an effective engagement mechanism, even for those with advanced devices.” ” @Ew4n agreed, adding that “a perfectly timed SMS can really sway the balance on most any transaction.” Mobile is global. 2) I’m bored. MORE >>

There are many new and reasonably priced tools to help make your site mobile-optimized, but before you plunk down any money, check out Google’s “GoMo” site , which features a handy testing tool, as well as other resources to help businesses improve their websites. So, why not share deals, information, and updates with your customers via SMS? For a simple guide to get started with SMS Marketing, check out the Beginner’s Guide to SMS Marketing by Tatango. Cost: Varies depending on the SMS Marketing Software partner. How to make sure you’re “findable?” Over $50?  MORE >>

Consider this as a list of my top predictions for 2012: Device price points will continue to drop — and we’ll see more offers that provide consumers with a product at a discount provided they agree to receive ads. major global brand allocates approximately 70 percent of its mobile efforts to reach efforts that include SMS. Some of the smartest minds in mobile marketing and advertising recently gave their 2012 predictions for mobile during a webinar conducted by Mobile Marketer and sponsored by Hipcricket. HOW I SEE IT: The webinar was full of insights. MORE >>