With season seven of American Idol [1] wrapping up last week (congrats David Cook!), I was completely shocked that a whopping 97 million votes were cast last Tuesday night. From that 97 million, a record-breaking 78 million were generated from text messages through votes, trivia contests, and other SMS content [2].

When AT&T polled 416 users about their texting and Idol habits, 51 percent said they text more frequently during the Idol season than other times [3], while 22 percent said they first learned how to text by voting for singers. Although I was totally obsessed with Idol this season, I have to admit that I . . . didn't vote! I know, I know, such an Idol hypocrite. Next season, I promise. What about you? Were you one of the 78 million who sent a vote via text?