Frucall adds new services…

Further to our earlier posting, Frucall today announced the introduction of several additional new features to their mobile, voice-based price comparison shopping services.

Frucall Text - allows users to receive price comparison info, (previously only available in audio) via text message delivered to their handset. This convenient features removes the need to have a pen and paper handy to jot down the pricing info or having to commit anything to memory, instead providing a handy text-message version for ease of reference throughout your shopping experience.

Also announced was new buddy list and messaging functionality:

Frucall Buddy List Messaging lets users send voice and text messages to friends, families and groups they define. Users can record voice or text messages that are sent instantly to everyone within their selected Buddy List groups. Buddy List Messaging works on all phones and is not limited to phone numbers on the same carrier network. Normal carrier charges apply to receiving text messages.

Thanks to Michael @ Frucall for the heads up, and good luck with the new services.

Further details can be found here.

TV Guide by SMS - 4INFO

Mobile search provider 4INFO have added another great feature to their growing list of mobile search and information services - TV Guide info by SMS.

By texting a simple message to 4INFO (44636) comprised of the command ‘tv’ + ‘the name of the show’ + ‘user’s zip code’, 4INFO will respond within a few seconds with the a list of providers servicing that zipcode area. The user is then prompted to select a provider from the menu of choices. On replying the user then receives an SMS detailing the airtimes for the requested show for the next few days.
More…

Digg2Phone - get your Digg fix on your fone

Digg2Phone is a new service allowing registered members to receive SMS alerts on stories currently doing the rounds on Digg.com. Use it to track your own stories, see when stories hit the home page, track new comments or see when a story gets buried etc.

As Digg2Phone say:

Digg2Phone is for the digg addicts who can’t watch the digg spy all day.

With Digg2Phone, you can choose which stories you want us to follow for you, and we’ll text message you when something happens.

The service is not yet available to the public, but they are looking for beta testers. No details yet on a public release. Another fun non-telephony way to use your handset…

[More from Digg2Phone]

New system to deliver cell phone photos to 911 operators

There are over 370 million camera phones in use worldwide, and increasingly they are being used to communicate news as it breaks.

In July 06, the London bombings saw images of the devastation being uploaded from cell phones to blogs and sites like Flickr as the event unfolded, and many cell phone recorded video clips made the mainstream broadcast news.

PowerPhone who specialise in software and training for 911 operators, have developed a new system named Cell Phone Delivery (CPD) allowing callers to send photos from a camera equipped cell phone handset via email direct to the console of the 911 operator, providing the operator with far more accurate information from the scene of a crime or emergency than a mere verbal description might allow.

“Citizens are now the eyes and ears for our 9-1-1 operators — and camera phone photos are going to be an important part of improving safety and security.” Chris Salafia, PowerPhone’s president and CEO

[More from PRWeb]

Welsh shop worker fired by SMS

21 yr old Kate Tanner, a shop worker at Blue Banana (a clothing store) in Cardiff, Wales was recently fired from her job by SMS.

The company defended the decision by saying that they had tried to call Ms Tanner several times before texting to say that since her performance hadn’t been up to scratch they had to let her go. Although not their general policy the company explained that it was an appropriate last resort method of communicating their decision given the circumstances and because SMS messaging is considered such a large part of “youth culture”.

The terminating text:

“Hi katy its alex from the shop. Sorry 2 do this by text but ive been trying to call u + ur phones been switched off. Ive had a meeting with jon + ian and weve reviewed your sales figures and they’re not really up to the level we need. As a result we will not require your services any more. You will receive your last pay packet on friday 28th july. Thank you for your time with us”

What next? Your boss putting comments on your Blog or your MySpace profile? How about a slightly more personal message from your boss on YouTube?

[Full story from icWales]

SMS RCRD BRKN - 2 QIK 4 ME - 42.22SEC

“The razor-toothed piranhas of the genera Serrasalmus and Pygocentrus are the most ferocious freshwater fish in the world. In reality they seldom attack a human.”

A phrase we all use every day I’m sure, but no-one is quicker than Provo, UT teenager, Ben Cook at sending this “oh so common” bit of prose to his closest friends to reclaim his own Guinness World Record on Friday from a twenty-something Singaporean woman.

160 Characters. 42.22 seconds. Amazing!

[More from CNN.com]