SMS comes of age (IMHO)

SMS comes of age (IMHO)

Just read the Wired posting Amazon Launches Text_Message Shopping and I was excited as this seems to improve upon 1-Click ordering. This in my opinion adds even more convenience to the shopping experience. I remember when Jeff Bezos announced Frictionless Retailing and this really set the scene for what they were trying to do - well, they continue to deliver.

The full Amazon press release is available here, but here's the key part of that release: "In less than a minute and using only text messages, Amazon.com customers can find the product they are looking for and complete a purchase using TextBuyIt. Simply send a text message to "AMAZON" (262966) with the name of the product, search term or a UPC or ISBN code, and, within seconds, Amazon replies with the product or products that match the search, along with prices. To buy an item, customers simply reply to the text message by entering the unique single digit number next to the item they want. Customers will then receive a short phone call from Amazon with the final details of their order and asking them to confirm or cancel the purchase."

You can see what people are saying about it on the Techcrunch board generally positive comments, including one mentioning Frucall interesting lessons for start-ups including Xpollen.

So are we about to see a whole new set of SMS based applications. Here are a few of my favorites:

  1. Zaptxt lets you create custom keyword searches to track your favorite RSS enabled websites via email, instant messenger or mobile device
  2. Primiro allows you to get any content you see in a newspaper, magazine, billboard instantly on your email and in your Primiro Library, by simply sending a short SMS
  3. Jott converts your voice into emails, text messages, reminders, lists and appointments
  4. Frucall Free comparison shopping with your cell phone when you're in a store

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