Hello Everyone,

I hope you find the following seven tasks you can perform with your mobile phone both useful and enjoyable.

1.
BUILD A BLOG:

Did you know that you can both create and update your BLOG from your cell phone?  That’s right!  You can actually create a new BLOG from your phone just by sending a text message to go@blogger.com.  In short order, you will receive a reply listing your new BLOG’s ‘ URL and a “claim code” to enter at http://go.blogger.com.  From this website, you have the option of routing mobile posts to the new BLOG you just created or an existing one.  While on the site, simply choose a template (if necessary) and you are done.  You will see your initial text message and any additional posts sent to that same email address will instantly appear on your new BLOG.  This is a simple way to get your first BLOG up and running, immediately. 

2.
VOICEMAIL A TEXT MESSAGE:

The age-old trick of leaving yourself a voicemail reminder message gets a Web 2.0 twist with Jott.com.  With Jott, simply dial a special toll free number, leave yourself or someone else a voicemail message and it will be transcribed and forwarded to either an email or SMS address.  Further, Jott will let you store, manage, and even share your messages.  Your recordings are automatically turned into text; humans perform this function, but Jott promises strict security and confidentiality.  To get started, call (866) JOTT-123 or go to:
http://www.jott.com

3.
NAME THAT TUNE:

Have you ever wanted to know the name of a song you hear?  Simply dial (866) 411-SONG and hold the phone near the speaker for the next fifteen seconds and the songs information will be sent to your mobile phone via text message.  411-SONG requires no special equipment, just a phone capable of receiving SMS messages.  All you do is dial the number and follow the instructions.  After the service identifies the song, you will receive a text message containing the relevant info and a 99 cent charge on your monthly phone bill.  If you frequently find yourself trying to “name that tune,” 411 SONG also offers a $3.99 per month plan for unlimited song IDs.

4.
RECEIVE FREE MISSING CHILDREN ALERTS ON YOUR MOBILE PHONE:

Statistics show that the first three hours after a child is abducted are the most critical in recovery efforts. The Wireless Foundation, in conjunction with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and virtually all wireless carriers, offer AMBER Alerts via SMS text messages. Go to:
http://www.wirelessamberalerts.org to sign up.  Simply enter your phone number and up to five ZIP codes (so the service knows which alerts to send your way). When an AMBER Alert gets issued for your area, you’ll immediately receive a text message including the child’s description, where he/she was last seen, and any pertinent vehicle data. The participating carriers deliver these messages free of charge, so there’s absolutely no cost to you. Do your part and sign up now.

5.
COMPARISON SHOP ON THE SPOT:

Want to know if you are getting a good deal on a product while you are right there in the store?  Simply dial (888) FRUCALL.  After dialing, enter the product bar code; and, at no charge, it will identify the product and list prices of various online merchants.

6.
TELL ME:

Want to hear the latest news and weather reports for your area or get the latest sports scores all from an interactive voice interface?  Call (800) 555-TELL.  Call the number and you will be walked through menus from which you can access sports scores, business listings, stock quotes and more.

7.
TEXT ME GOOGLE:

Simply send a text message to GOOGL (46645) with a search term such as “Chinese restaurants, Times Square” In the body of the message.  You can also text a message such as “Weather 90210”.  Need to look up a word definition?  Just text “Define abacus”.  Give Google a few moments and you will receive a free text message reply with the information you seek from the search company.

Mark