GeekSugar

Pride of the LOLCats: Lions Now Send Text Messages

Kelly Schwarze — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 06:31:19 PST

OK, lions aren't manipulating their fuzzy paws to send text messages to the rest of their pride. Rather, scientists in Kenya have outfitted local lions with GPS tracking collars that send automated text message updates to the researchers on their locations.

Every hour, the GPS collars transmit a text message to a server, which eventually sends the data to a satellite map that shows the lions' movements so researchers know when lions come too close to farmers' livestock. In order to protect their own assets, some farmers have resorted to poisoning the lions to prevent their herds from becoming a meal. Conservationists hope by following the lion's movements on the savannah, they can turn dwindling population numbers around.

So far, 10 lions are wearing the collars, which cost $3,000 a piece and were partially funded through Kickstarter.

What Is Disco?

Kristy Korcz — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 01:05:46 PDT

Group messaging was all the rage at this year's SXSWi, and now Google's recently acquired Slide Inc. is throwing itself into the ring with Disco, a free group messaging app for the iPhone.

Launched late last week, Disco allows you to set up messaging groups, then send and receive SMS texts among each other in one clean and organized fashion. The app may be free, but text messaging rates will still apply.

AT&T Updates Messaging and Upgrade Plans

Kristy Korcz — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 01:00:46 PST

AT&T changed its data plans last year, and starting on Jan. 23, the company will be initiating updates to its messaging and upgrade plans as well. While it may not be good news for current customers, there is a slight light at the end of the tunnel for those iPhone customers hoping to upgrade with a discount. Check it out below!

Text Messaging
Text messaging plans now consist of Messaging Unlimited ($20 a month/$30 for families), and a new Messaging 1,000 plan (1,000 texts for $10 with $0.10 for each additional text over 1,000. The previous Messaging 200 (200 messages for $5 a month) will be discontinued. Good news is, current customers can stick with their new plans, but the old plans won't be available when you upgrade or sign a new contract.

Find out about the early upgrade and family plan changes after the break.

How Many Text Messages Will Be Sent in 2011?

GeekSugar — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 04:00:54 PST

We already know that text messaging is becoming the more popular way to communicate (and besides emails, I send more texts than I do voice calls), but a new study estimates just how many texts will be sent in 2011. Can you guess the number?

Take the Quiz

Apple Wants to Keep Sexting Off Your Kids' iPhones

Kristy Korcz — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 11:00:47 PDT

Want to keep your kids from sending naughty text messages to each other? Fear not, Apple has your back. Apple was just approved for a 2008 antisexting application of sorts that would allow parents to block and filter certain words and phrases from the text messaging feature on their kids' iPhones. This application could be enabled or disabled, much like the parental controls you find on your TV that block certain programs from being viewed by minors.

What does this new application mean for you? Find out after the jump.

What Percentage of Adults Text?

GeekSugar — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 12:15:16 PDT

Teens may still reign supreme when it comes to text messaging, but a recent study suggests that adults are becoming more and more comfortable with sending and receiving texts. Can you guess what percentage of American adults have taken to texting?

Take the Quiz

Lance Armstrong Brings the LOL to a Few Radio Shack Spots

GeekSugar — Wed, 26 May 2010 05:47:15 PDT

Cycling legend Lance Armstrong is having a busy week. He crashed during stage five of the Tour of California and also defended himself against allegations of drug use during the Tour de France. On a bit more optimistic note, Lance's new commercials for Radio Shack - the cycling team he rides for - came out this week. In the spots, Lance gives some lessons on cell phone etiquette, which include: "No man over the age of 30 will ever use emoticons - no colon parentheses smiley faces . . ."

The spots are super funny so it's no surprise that Christopher Guest of Waiting For Guffman and Best In Show fame directed them. See what Lance has to say about voice mails in the second commercial when you

Hello! Lets You Text and Chat Without the Fees

GeekSugar — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 09:00:43 PDT

If you've been longing for a BBM-style chat and text client on your iPhone, you can stop holding your breath - Hello! has arrived. This mobile-to-mobile messaging service works like BBM by assigning you a PIN so you can keep your number a secret, and all of your texts are free since you aren't using your SMS plan. Plus, Hello! is available worldwide as it works on 3G, GSM, and WiFi networks, and lets you chat with a group of friends all at once. Additionally, push notifications ensure you don't miss any messages, and all of your sent or received photos and messages are saved if you're offline. It's a great alternative to SMS since you can save a few bucks in the long run.

The iPhone and iPod Touch version of Hello! is available now through the App Store for $2 (free if you don't mind bothering with ads), in BlackBerry App World for your BlackBerry smartphones, and is arriving soon for Android devices.

This App Encourages Sketchy Behavior

GeekSugar — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 14:30:15 PST

When I asked, most of you agreed that technology makes infidelity easier, and now a new app seems to basically encourage it - or at least enable it. The aptly named Tiger Text, a free iPhone app, allows you to send text messages that delete themselves after a set period of time. To take advantage of this wonderful bit of technology (can you sense the sarcasm?), both users need to have an iPhone. When one party sends a text to the other, they're prompted to download the app, and the message is displayed. After that, depending on your settings, the message will disappear as soon as one minute after reading to as long as five days after. Using the app means that the messages you send and receive aren't stored on your phone, therefore protecting your guilt/innocence.

I suppose there are a few practical applications for a service like this: sensitive personal information, business dealings . . . but why not just delete the message once you receive or send it? Instead, there's now a practical way for paranoid cheaters everywhere to keep their texts a secret. Lovely.

Do You Trust Your Mate to Be Alone Around Your Gadgets?

GeekSugar — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 03:47:37 PST

I saw this crazy iPhone app yesterday called iTrust that records your mates attempts to break into your texts and emails while you're away. The app developers also give an interesting fact: 67 percent of British women say they regularly snoop around in their boyfriend's phone. It got me wondering how many people would actually buy this app in fear that their significant others are spying on them? We've already talked about how tech makes it easier to get caught cheating these days, but does tech also make it easier to get caught snooping? For example, if a text message comes in on your iPhone, and your spying mate reads it, there's no way to mark it as read again. Additionally, if you've ever found that you're logged into your email or Facebook, but know you signed out after your last session, does that pique your interest and make you suspicious that someone found their way into your accounts?

Thankfully I'm not worried about my boyfriend snooping around in my digital life, but what about you - do you trust your mate to be alone around your gadgets?