Limbo, Meet MYIA

When Limbo first started the reverse auction thing, I thought it was really cool. I tried it a few times when it was standard rate. Now, it's premium, so I don't do it anymore. But, still, even the name LIMBO (is cool when you win by having the lowest unique bid. So, now there is MYIA. Their website is http://www.myia.com/ and their short code is 72777 - but what does MYIA stand for? It is "My Instant Interaction." Well, ok, whatever. The concept appears to be same as LIMBO. MYIA is a subsidiary of Crossroad Mobile. Again, the website: "So how does MY Instant Auction work? Well it's like an auction and a game of skill rolled into one. In a normal auction the highest bidder normally wins. But, with MYIA, it's the LOWEST Unique Bid that Wins." And it's $1.99 per entry.

Of course, there must be a non-premium sms method to enter. It's the law, I think. So, in the fine print, it says:

(b) Mail Entry: Submit a Mail Entry by sending a handprinted 3x4 postcard with your Bid amount to MYIA., 2323 Bryan Street 18th Floor, Dallas Texas 75202. Handwrite the amount of your Bid in cents without punctuation. For example, if the Bid is $1.93, write 193 Postal Mail delivery specific charges and terms may apply. In accordance with the terms; rules and regulations of your mail delivery service, you are responsible for all applicable charges and fees associated with your Mail Entry. All entries must be received by 11:59 p.m. PT on January 2, 2006.

Hold the phone, entries must be received by January 2, 2006. Something looks wrong. Any one care to investigate. I think Limbo is more upfront and honest about their alternate entry method by phone.

GPShopper's SLIFTER - 75438 (SLIFT)

It doesn't use GPS and I don't know what Slifter means, but this is a product finder. On http://www.slifter.com/, it says "Try our new FREE Slifter SMS short-code (75438) to search for local products in retail locations near you. Just text your query and zip code to 75438. In seconds you will receive a text message with product and pricing information at the closest retailer!" Oh, so GPS equals zip code. Happy Shopping!

News Straight Outta TAMPA

If you want news alerts from the Media General properties in Tampa, then you need to know short code TAMPA (82672). Check out for the instructions: http://www.tbo.com/tools/alerts/textalerts.shtml.

GoTV - Trivia for TV Channels on the Phone

On http://www.gotvnetworks.com, I read that "GoTV Networks is the first made-for-mobile television network and studio group that is changing the way people use their wireless." So, what does Mobile TV have to do with a short code. Well, a month ago, someone asked me who owns 46464. At the time, I texted 'help', then 'go' as instructed in the help response. The next message said it was from GoTV. So I think this is owned by GoTV (www.gotvnetworks.com). Though there is no mention on the site about a short code. And today, it doesn't say GoTV in the message response. It does ask me trivia questions...and I seem to get them mostly wrong.

More Mobile Social Networking

Obvious Corporation brings us Twitter. Obviously, this is "A global community of friends and strangers answering one simple question: What are you doing?" Well, that's what they say at http://www.twitter.com/. I don't quite know what this means. It's not obvious to me. Anyways, short code is 40404.

Yahoo brings us Mixd. Though not obvious, they tell you text 'Try' to 445566 and figure it out. On the All About Mixd webpage, they say "Mixd is about going out. Coordinate last-minute meetups, share pictures and videos from your phone, and remember last night on a website we create for you, automatically." And they also have nice examples on this page: http://mixd.yahoo.com/about. Why not be for me, but at least it's more obvious.

More Premium Mobile Entertainment

26706, which spells ENMOB (real short for Entertainment Mobile, I suppose), has premium entertainment alerts. Check'em at http://www.enmob.com/.

58560 has premium entertainment alerts and ringtones. Check'em at http://www.lovesoulmate.us/.

9555 has premium entertainment alerts and sports scores. Check'em at http://www.jamster.com/jcw/specials/text_alerts.do.

89623 has ringtones. Check'em at http://www.funkyfones.us/.

Unwired Appeal Informs Us of Missing Codes

Someone, I assume from Unwired Appeal, informed us that there were at least four codes missing. They were 36263, 37890, 42349, and 74347. They didn't say what the first two do, but 42349 was described as a "Mobile multimedia delivery and billing platform" and 74347 was described as "Progressive Insurance alerts." I added the first two no questions asked although I only got a vague response from 37890 by texting 'HELP' and no response at all from 36263.

I added 74347 but not under Unwired Appeal. They may be the "service provider" for Progressive but I think of this one as a Progressive code. See press release where there is no mention of UA: http://newsroom.progressive.com/progressive_insurance_news/2006/August/Mobile_alerts.aspx

UA also said that 57879 belongs to them. Well, there is no response to 'HELP" so I haven't added this one. The other reason I didn't add it is because of an article I read last month (http://www.denverpost.com/headlines/ci_4719289) that said the code will be introduced by "Denver-based Connectme360... targeting the hotel industry with its code 5STRZ (57879). Essentially, the company's service will allow hotel customers to receive information about the city they are visiting, such as the nearest sushi restaurant, by sending a message to 5STRZ. The company hopes to launch the service in the coming weeks, said chief executive Brian Hayashi."
Yes, it is all very confusing. I'm sure it will get straightened out in the end.

More Mobile Marketing Services - 46604, 72008, and 23000

One is new (72008) and one is old (46604), but both have been added in the last month to the directory. Then there's 23000 - I don't know if its new or old.

I believe 46604 from iphs! (owned by Omnicom Group) has been around for a while, although it is new to the directory. This service is branded EZTXTMSG and you will see the following description at http://www.eztxtmsg.com/html/what_is_eztxtmsg/: "eztxtmsg.com is a turnkey, web-based service that simplifies management of mobile marketing campaigns. It is an easy to use online service that provides you with the right tools to conduct marketing campaigns through SMS and group text messaging." The bulk SMS rates are decent, not the best I've seen, but decent. But a keyword will add a $100 per month - definitely not the best pricing. Still, it comes from a good brand. I'd tell you who I think has a better deal... but I don't want to be accused of favoritism.

I believe 72008 from Unique Advertising Strategies is new to the directory and to the nation. The website at http://www.uniqueadvertisingstrategies.com/ said it was introduced in November 2006. Though to be honest, I don't know what is so unique about this service. And the pricing comparison at http://www.uniqueadvertisingstrategies.com/costcomparison.php confused me, as it compares print advertising, email marketing, and direct mail, but doesn't tell me how what are the mobile marketing costs if you go with these unique people. Well, the demo on the site is alright.

Red Fish Media tells us that they are "able to offer a One-Stop-Shop' to corporations whose strategy is to increasingly target the cell phone and mobile communications consumer." I also read on http://www.redfishmedia.com/ that Red Fish Media, LLC was established in 2004 as a specialist mobile communications content provider and strategic consultancy. Ok, so it's old. New to the WhoIs directory though.