ATLANTA, Feb. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- You've seen them on candy hearts for
years, but now short, to the point, and sometimes discreet love notes are
sweetening up cell phones as a result of wireless text messaging.
Thirty-three percent of people surveyed say they communicate with their
date or mate via text messaging in 2007, an increase of six percentage
points from last year. Twenty-eight percent of users also report using text
messaging to flirt. Looks like Cupid has tapped into the text messaging
craze.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070209/CLF076 )
For the fourth year, Cingular Wireless, part of the new AT&T, has
commissioned a survey of adult cell phone users to determine how cell
phones have affected their romantic lives. The survey was conducted in
January 2007 by ICR (International Communications Research) among 1,006
wireless users and reveals that SMS and MMS-based communication between
partners is on the rise.
Other findings from the survey include:
* Thirty-eight percent of respondents said that a date answered his or her
wireless phone in the midst of a great dinner conversation while 31
percent said they had done the same
* Twenty-eight percent have used text messaging to avoid long
conversations
* Seventeen percent reported that a wireless phone has saved them from an
uncomfortable date
* Twelve percent have used text messaging news as a conversation starter
with a date or mate
* Eight percent of respondents say they have ended a relationship over
rude/offensive wireless behavior
* Five percent of respondents have called someone else he or she was
interested in from a wireless phone while on a date and seven percent
reported that their date had done so
* Six percent have judged a prospective date by the phone they use
"Text messaging has become part of the social fabric of dating in
America," said Jennifer Bowcock, director of consumer public relations for
Cingular Wireless, the new AT&T. "People can text one another to make plans
or even say 'I love you' when they may not have the time or ability to make
a voice call. It is definitely a discreet and simple way to stay
connected."
Also significant in the survey results, 59 percent of active daters use
text messaging to communicate with their dates, while only 30 percent of
those who are married, in a committed relationship or not dating do the
same with their partners. AT&T's wireless unit provides suggestions on how
to lure your love with wireless this Valentine's Day:
* Text messages allow you to let your loved one know you are thinking
about them, even if you're at work or a public place where a voice call
isn't appropriate. Say I LOVE U or HEY CU T whenever the mood strikes.
* Consider using your camera phone to snap a picture of a vase of fresh
flowers or a hand-made heart drawn on paper and then use multimedia
messaging to send the romantic image to your sweetheart. If you want to
add a little heat to the fire, tap out a love note to include with the
photo using text messaging. That's sure to make even Cupid smile.
* Ready to take your love to the next level? Show your favorite guy or
girl that you've set their picture as your phone screen's background.
* Still searching for the perfect gift? Flowers and chocolate don't last
forever. Take your favorite Valentine to the nearest Cingular store to
buy the new Cingular SYNC by Samsung in Red, now available for $49.99
with a two-year contract and after a $50 rebate.
* If you are expecting a call during a date, let your date know in advance
that you might have to take it, that way he or she won't take you out
with the trash.
* Lastly, always Be Sensible and remember that a dinner or movie date is
no place for a ringing phone if you want to live happily ever after.
AT&T's wireless unit also offers a variety of love songs for download
as ringtones, in honor of Cupid's big day. Ringtones are available on
Cingular MEdia Net or http://www.cingular.com for $2.49 each. There are also
several Valentine's Day-themed wallpaper graphics available for download
for just $1.99 each. A sample of featured romantic ringtones includes:
"Promise," Ciara
"Forever and For Always," Shania Twain
"My Funny Valentine," Chet Baker
"My Love," Justin Timberlake
"I Honestly Love You," Olivia Newton-John
"Love Shack," B-52's
"Unforgettable," Nat King Cole
"When a Man Loves a Woman," Percy Sledge
"Come Away With Me," Norah Jones
"Ain't No Other Man," Christina Aguilera
"Baby, I Love Your Way," Peter Frampton
"You Are The Sunshine of My Life," Stevie Wonder
"Brown Eyed Girl," Van Morrison
"Making Memories of Us," Keith Urban
"We've Only Just Begun," Carpenters
Another cool idea for Valentine's is to send someone a Mobile Postcard
from Fujifilm. Customers can mail personalized postcards from their
Cingular camera phone to any U.S. postal address for just $1.99. It's a
great way to stay connected with the ones you love. For more information,
visit http://www.cingular.com/learn/messaging-internet/messaging/mobile-
postcards.jsp .
About AT&T
AT&T Inc. is a premier communications holding company in the United
States and around the world, with operating subsidiaries providing services
under the AT&T brand. AT&T is the recognized world leader in providing
IP-based communications services to business and the U.S. leader in
providing wireless, high speed Internet access, local and long distance
voice, and directory publishing and advertising services. As part of its
"three screen" integration strategy, AT&T is expanding video entertainment
offerings to include such next-generation television services as AT&T
U-verse(SM) TV. Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and
services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at
http://www.att.com/.
SOURCE Cingular Wireless, now part of the new AT&T
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Related links:
http://www.cingular.com
http://www.att.com
Photo Notes:
NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070209/CLF076
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
CONTACT:
Kelleigh Scott Beal of Cingular Wireless, the
new AT&T, +1-404-236-6321, or kelleigh.scott@cingular.com
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