DO U LIKE ME? TXT 1, 4 YES; 2, 4 NO: AT&T Releases Annual Valentine's Wireless Courtesy and Dating Survey
09 Février 2007 - 6:03PM
PR Newswire (US)
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/.
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070209/CLF076
http://photoarchive.ap.org/ DATASOURCE: Cingular Wireless, now part
of the new AT&T CONTACT: Kelleigh Scott Beal of Cingular
Wireless, the new AT&T, +1-404-236-6321, or Web site:
http://www.cingular.com/ http://www.att.com/
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