Computer Software

Although making use of an SMS API to send text messages from one’s website or software application can sound like a fairly daunting task, many SMS providers offer simple HTTP SMS posting allowing one to send SMS text messages directly through their gateways. Generally speaking, one will need to setup an account with an SMS gateway provider in order to get started. Most providers will offer a bunch of messages with which one can test the service; thereafter one will need to purchase more messages. One of the world’s most popular SMS gateway providers, Clickatell, offer real time HTTP SMS setup online through their website.

In the tutorial below, I will explain in a few simple steps how one can manually send SMS messages via the Clickatell HTTP Post. Note, that it is intended that developers will code their own commands around this API such that the relevant data can be extracted from their own systems. To that end, most providers offer additional code samples to assist with this sort of integration.

Step 1
Logon to their site www.clickatell.com and find the “SMS gateway” tab. Register for an HTTP API account. Once having done this you will be issued with what is called an API_ID. In order to send SMS via HTTP you will need the following bits of information:

Username (this you select when registering)
Password (this you select when registering)
API_ID (this gets issued to upon completion of registration)
The mobile number/s you would like to send the message to in international format e.g. a UK number would look like this: 448311234567
The message text itself e.g. “Meet me at the cafe in 10 minutes”

Step 2
Open your Browser (e.g. Internet Explorer), and type in your info in the address bar in the following sequence:

a) The basic start is http://api.clickatell.com/http/sendmsg?
b) Adding your personal authentication detail – you will then type the following into the browser:

http://api.clickatell.com/http/sendmsg?user=xxxxx&password

=xxxxx&api_id=xxxxx&to=448311234567=Meet+me+at+the+café+in+10+minutes

Press “Enter”, and your message will be sent. If the message is sent successfully a confirmation code will appear in your browser. If not, you will receive an error message.

Most International prepaid cell phones today are classified as a GSM or Global Service for Mobil cell phone that operates on the GSM 900 and GSM 1800 frequency. The phones themselves are not prepaid but a card called SIM, which is the “brain” of the international prepaid cell phone, and where minuets can be stored. Sims have a small computer chip inside that stores the cell phone number, settings, messages and other data necessary for the phone to function. With the right sim card an international prepaid cell phone can provide service coverage in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Pacific Rim, including Australia . To use, insert the sim card into the phone and your ready to go. When all of the credit is used up, all you need to do is call the service provider and receive more credit. Just as some countries drive on the other side of the road. Some countries use different TV systems (remember this when buying videos and DVDs internationally). And, unfortunately, most countries use different types of international prepaid cell phone service, too. However, more countries are slowly switching to the GSM system. Make sure you check this when your thinking of getting a international prepaid cell phone.

The SIM “chip” fits into a slot or tray where metal sensors make contact with the gold contact surface on the SIM card. Please note that certain SIM cards only work with GSM international prepaid cell phones that are compatible for use overseas, don’t forget to make sure you getting the right card to use with the international prepaid cell phone system, like the dual-band GSM phones for use in over 190 countries, and the tri-band versions with service in the United States and Canada. Equally important, Europe, Africa and Asia not only had the foresight to adopt the same international prepaid cell phone standard, but they also decided that their international cell phone networks would operate on the same frequencies (the 900mhz, initially and later the 1800mhz band). This explains why the same cell phone that works in London will work equally well in Johannesburg , Beijing and Sydney .

The bottom line: Most countries around the globe – more than 205 at last count – have adopted the GSM wireless technology and if you want to go travel outside of North America and want the convenience of carrying a cellular phone, then you’re going to need a GSM international prepaid cell phone.

Mobile phones have become one of the most prominent status symbols. It has gone beyond a mere tool to make and receive calls. It’s an expression of identity; a fashion statement; and with Mp3 ringtones, a way of injecting your own groove into your daily grind.

An Mp3 is a compressed audio file. For years, music lovers have exchanged these files on the Internet, playing them on their PCs or from dedicated Mp3 players. But then the mobile phone companies latched on to a brilliant idea: why not use those music files as ringtones, replacing the dull and sometimes annoying clanging sound that has been the trademark alert for incoming calls.

There is a wide variety of Mp3 ringtones, as wide as the range of music itself. From Mozart to Madonna, the Beatles to Britney Spears, or even commercial jingles, national anthems, cartoon themes, gospel music, nursery rhymes, even beat poetry. If you’ve ever hummed it, sang it, or tapped your feet to it, there’s an Mp3 version waiting to be played on your phone.

Mp3 ringtones can also be a good measure of how a movie or a sitcom has infiltrated into pop culture. There are ringtones that are actually snippets from famous scenes of Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings; while themes from The Brady Bunch bring smiles to anyone who has ever watched the show.

But there’s more. Mp3 ringtones aren’t even limited to just music. You can pick from a wide variety of sounds. A baby crying. A cow mooing. A woman moaning in ecstasy (how’s that to break the monotony of your board meeting?).In the Philippines, when wiretapped phone calls between the president and an election commissioner revealed possibility of election fraud, fragments of that phone call were even used as Mp3 ringtones—either as a sign of protest or to make fun of the situation.

All these ringtones are easily downloadable, but for those who truly want a unique sound they can even make their own ringtones. Some record the voices of their children. Others save romantic missives from a loved one. People also record the laughter of friends, or a fragment from a child’s Christmas performance, or even a beloved pet’s barking. While other people may not appreciate the Mp3, the fact that it has a personal meaning makes those ringtones music to the owners’ ears.

So why do people use Mp3 ringtones? The same reason they pick the shirt they are wearing: it reflects the owners’ personality. When they say my phone, they mean it in more ways than one. Sociologists say that people are driven to express identities in external symbols. It is part of our communal nature: this is me, this is the group I belong to. Primitive societies wore jewelry beads and animal teeth; some developed tattoos; and later on, developed clothes and other accessories. The phone is no different. Like feathers on a tribesman cap, it signals to everyone else who we are.

I can customize everything else, but can I make my Nokia cell phone unique? The answer, I found, is that I can do so very easily with a Nokia face plate. Cell phones, to many of us, are a big part of who we are. Our friends are in the contact list, we use the phone for calls, emails, and even to surf the internet. If that is the case, then, shouldn’t we make our phones unique to us? Of course we should, and it is possible. Even though so many cell phones look exactly alike, with the use of Nokia face plates, you can make your phone unique to you.

The face plate is basically the front of your phone. A Nokia face plate offers a very easy way to change that front to show off a theme, color, or idea without putting a lot of effort into it or having to tear apart your phone too much. It is easy to change a Nokia face plate so that you can get the look you want in what is likely a very important and highly personal possession.

In this day and age, personal expression is a big deal. You want to be able to express yourself and display who you are to everyone in every aspect of your life. There was a time when you couldn’t really do that with a cell phone. That is not true anymore, though. Thanks to the easy to use Nokia face plates, you can make your phone unique http://www.tahomatimes.com/category/technology-reviews/. Change the ring tone to fit you then add a cool new face plate that best represents you and you are ready to go. Your phone will then not only be your planner, internet browser, contact to the world, and lifeline to your own schedule, but it will also be an representation of who you are to everyone who sees or hears it.

The other advantage to an easy to change Nokia face plate is that you can change it often. You can, if you so desire, change your Nokia face plate to reflect your mood on a given day. Face plates, as a rule, are not very expensive, so it would be easy to make sure you have plenty of them on hand. You will be able to get up in the morning, think about how you feel that day and how you want to show the world you feel and do so with a new Nokia face plate. The options are almost endless in the message you can send when you combine ring tones with face plates to make your phone a total message sending source of self-expression.

Cell phones were once mundane pieces of chrome coloring and digital numbers. Now, though, you can change all of that with little trouble. By using Nokia face plates, can you can turn your cell phone into an expression of who you are or even of your mood on a given day. By adding changing ring tones, your options for your phone’s ambiance become limitless. So go out there, grab yourself some Nokia face plates, and start expressing yourself to the world through your phone!

Marketing is a fundamental aspect of virtually every business that is out there. For many companies, this is where most of their budget goes: advertising. There are hundreds of ways for you to advertise from coffee shop windows to on the web through banner ads. The goal is of course to target your key audience at the exact right time. This is not an easy task nor is it on that you should take lightly.

One of the most intense types of marketing that is geared towards people no matter where they are and where they go is mobile marketing. Consider this. You could pay for one hundred banners to be put on the sides of buses in one major city. This will cost thousands of dollars in marketing. Those who see the ad will be able to react to it. But, in order for them to see it they need to be at the right place at the right time to see the bus go past them. In the end, your target audience is quite difficult to target in this medium.

But, when you consider mobile marketing, the tables are turned. What is the one thing that you insure you have when you grab your keys to head out the door? You mobile phone! And, so does about half of the population out there. Marketing through mobile phones is an excellent way to get your message out to individuals who are going to take this medium with them where ever they go.

Mobile marketing is fast becoming the talk of the town simply because it is so very effective. Because you can target such a large or such a specific group of people, it makes sense to take advantage of this type of marketing no matter what your product or service is. Because it can be very targeted and very broad, mobile marketing can serve many companies marketing needs: effectively.

There is nothing worse than being duped. Not only do you feel like an idiot, you are left to pay for an item or service you don’t want. The latest scam is the ringtone subscription service. Companies advertising free ringtone downloads, targeted at teenagers, have caught many users in expensive subscription ‘clubs’. The con is simple: Aggressively market your product as “free”, wait until a user enters their mobile number to access the “free” download, then send the user 30 ringtones a month at a cost of 5 USD per ringtone. Premium SMS subscription services, like ringtone ‘clubs’ allow mobile phones to be used like credit cards.

Legality is addressed in the terms and conditions agreement, a small box on the subscription form that must be ticked before processing. Written in practically illegible 9pt sans serif text, terms and conditions usually pop up in a small window which must then be maximised. Typically, the word ‘subscription’ and service pricing appear only in the terms and conditions. For example:

By clicking the “COMPLETE” button you agree to subscribe to Any Club’s ringtone service. You will be sent your choice of ringtone FREE of charge as a bonus for joining Any Club. The service allows you to download up to 4 ringtones each week. The US$4.95 charge will be billed to your mobile bill twice per week. To stop this subscription service at any time, SMS “STOP”, to short code 77777777. Your phone must be polyphonic compatible, be Internet-enabled and have text messaging capability. You must be the owner of this device and either be at least sixteen years old or have the permission of your parent or guardian. Artist names used for identification purposes only. Standard text messaging rates apply. For help contact customer service at 1-123-456-789.

This standard terms and conditions script can be found at any ringtone website purporting to provide free content. In practice, terms and conditions protect the ringtone supplier, once the box is checked the customer can be said to have recognised the stipulations of the agreement. Thus the blame is conveniently shifted from the ringtone supplier, to the customer. The customer, it is claimed, should have read the terms despite being (mis)led to the website on the pretense of free content.
Recently, thanks to a spate of consumer complaints, several ringtone providers have been forced to change their advertising policy. In the UK complaints of misleading advertising against ringtone company Jamster! have been upheld by the Advertising Standards Authority. In the US a lawsuit has been brought against Jamster!, accusing the ‘Crazy Frog’ proprietors of fraud, false advertising, unfair business practices. Legal action may result in greater transparency on behalf of operators like Jamster! However, consumers should recall the cliche “there’s no such thing as a free lunch”, and be highly suspicious of any website offering free mobile content.

Basic Camera Mobile Etiquettes You Must Know

The demand for mobile phones is increasing day by day, the demand for camera mobiles also have no exception. The introduction of camera mobiles has caused rapid increase in sales of these phones all over the world. Along with the widely accepted demand for the camera phones it also created some controversy because of the improper use of the camera mobile. There is no problem in having fun with your camera mobile, but you have to make sure that you are not exceeding the limits.

The following article throws light on some of the etiquettes that every one has to follow while using camera mobiles.

Respect others privacy

This is the basic thing that has to be kept in mind by a person using camera mobile. It is not advisable to snap pictures of others without their consent. This will be considered as a serious offense. So it’s better to avoid trouble by respecting others privacy.

Never use camera mobiles in banned places

The use of camera Phones is banned in some places. The use of such phones should be avoided in those banned areas. In the same way the use of camera mobile is restricted in certain areas, in such areas its better to ask the authorities regarding the extent of restriction.

Keep away from mass mailing

In the resent past the habit of circulating pictures of other people without their permission has increased at an alarming rate. Taking pictures, morphing them on your PC and circulating is also highly unadvisable. This will be treated as a serious criminal offense and will result in severe punishment in many countries.

Shut the camera lens when not in use

Always try to shut the lens of your camera mobile when not in use. This helps a lot in avoiding problems. This has to be followed properly because there are people who might get offended even if a camera is pointed at them.

Just use your common sense

Always use your brain to realize that not every one will like to receive MMS messages, just for the simple reason that most of the networks will charge the recipient for downloading the MMS messages.

Turn off camera’s flash wherever applicable

Its better to turn off your camera’s flash wherever applicable. For example if you are snapping pictures in a zoo the flash light can be distractive.

By following the simple steps mentioned above it’s possible for every one to keep out of the basic mistakes that may occur while using camera mobile. So have fun with your camera mobile, but within limits. And you can get more camera phone reviews from http://www.icameraphones.com

Is your current phone a bit tired or out of date? Would you like to enjoy the benefits of a free cell phone today? Well to get the most of out of a free phone package, you must take advantage of cash rebates, free accessories, free activation and free shipping. Your best pick would be Lets Talk.com, great phones and service.

There is nothing to buy up front. You can have a free cell phone from Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Motorola, Panasonic, or other name-brand phone delivered to your door in two days free! The only requirement to qualifying for this great offer is that you sign up for 1 or 2 years of wireless service.
Enjoy the convenience of owning a free cell phone
Most free cell phone providers will insist that they offer calling plans from national service providers such as T-Mobile or AT&T Wireless and that they use the same rates. It is true, but what they don’t tell you is they may reduce your options.

Offering free phones has always been a marketing tool. Mobile providers believe that if they can get you into their service, you’ll stay forever. You usually only get the free cell phone if you sign a contract for 2 or 3 years.

Phones offered for free are the cheapest and most ordinary phones. People shopping for any free cell phone are probably looking to save, but they may end up paying more. A great way to save money on cellular service is to sign up for a family or shared plan.

It really depends on what you want your cell phone for, who’s paying for it and if the free ones are really worth it. I believe a free cell phone may not necessarily be a bad offer; it’s just not that free.

Wireless phones are hand-held phones with built-in antennas, often called cell, mobile, cellular or PCS phones. These phones are popular with callers because they can be carried easily anywhere in the world.

Wireless phones are two-way radios. When you talk, it picks up your voice and converts the sound to radio frequency energy or radio waves. The radio waves travel all through the air until they reach a receiver at a nearby base station.

The base station then sends your call through the phone network until it reaches the person you are calling. The message travels through the telephone network until it reaches a base station close to your cellular wireless phone.

Then the base station sends out radio waves that are detected by a receiver in your telephone, where the signals are changed back into the sound of a voice. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) each regulate wireless phones.

FCC ensures that all wireless phones sold in the United States follow safety guidelines that limit radio frequency (RF) energy. FDA monitors the health effects of wireless phones. Each agency has the authority to take action if a wireless telephone produces hazardous levels of RF energy.

Nearly every high school student, and even many junior high students, has a cell phones. This makes it very easy for you to keep tabs on your teenagers with cell phone listening devices. Because they are interested in have phones that allow them to call their friends, you will be the hero when you give them a cell phone. And because you want to keep tabs and make sure that they are not engaging in destructive behavior, you can make use of these cell phone listening devices to keep track of where they are and what they are doing.

The great thing about today’s cell phone listening devices is that they do more than just let you listen to conversations over the cell phone. They also let you hear what is going on in the room, and they come equipped with GPS trackers. These are great because you know where your teenager is, as well as what she or he is doing.

Car tracking devices merely let you know where your car is. There is no way of knowing whether or not your teen is in the car. When you make use of cell phone listening devices with GPS tracking capability, you can know where your teen is. The phone is something he or she will keep on the person. The car can be parked where it should be, and then someone else can give a ride to someplace forbidden. A cell phone bug is a more complete device.

In addition to showing location, cell phone listening devices also let you listen in. The most advanced device works just like a regular cell phone. Your teen will get incoming calls, have a phone book, make calls, and even sometimes have a camera on the phone. The only difference is that you have the power to listen in. You dial a secret secondary number that gives you access to the phone. You can hear the conversation over the phone (and record it) or you can activate the microphone on the phone that picks up the sounds in the room.

You can always know exactly what is going on with your teens you make use of cell phone listening devices.