Sports alerts from Rivals - 600600

Does this seem odd to you. Rivals.com offers sports text message alerts through short code 600600, but according to the FAQ, "You may receive Text Alerts on one team only." I thought rivals must involves two or more teams. This is a fee based service so I haven't tried it myself. Enjoy if you'd like at http://wireless.rivals.com/messaging.asp.

Textopoly - 99134

At www.textopoly.com, they invite you to text Textopoly to 99134. I did. Then I was invited to reply with CALL to get a phone call. I didn't.

I also didn't see any press release about an actual campaign using 99134.

MindMatics brings us Knights of Prosperity - 94444

I texted 'join1' to 94444 as the press release directed me. Nothing happened. Here is apparently what should happen according to http://www.mindmatics.com/en/01/content-03-1.html?id=1&year=2007

They mention another program with Maury: http://www.mindmatics.com/en/01/content-03-1.html?id=2&year=2007 but there were no instructions in the press release.

"A YouTube for Ringtones" - PhoneZoo - 69964

PhoneZoo brings a revolution? In thier own words from www.phonezoo.com/aboutus:

"At Phonezoo, we believe your phone should reflect your personality. That's why we make it easy for you to make free ringtones and share them with others. We make it simple for you to turn the music you already own into custom ringtones and get them on your phone. You can also explore the ringtones other members of the Phonezoo community have created and rate them, comment on them and get them for yourself. We are dedicated to building a community where people can find, create and share the content that they love - all for free.
Phonezoo Communications, Inc. is an angel-funded startup. We are currently in Beta version of our product. Our technology combines user-generated content and the power of social networks to give consumers a fun, innovative, mobile service. Phonezoo.com website incorporates patent pending technology. (USPTO Provisional Application #60745963, #60744994). Our headquarters are in Sunnyvale, CA."

Voting from Txtstation - 55333

Some one submitted this short code through the maintenance form http://www.usshortcodeswhois.com/3.html. At the time it was used by Fox News to 'Pick which GOP candidate would make the best president' according to the anonymous person who submitted it. I texted 'help' just now and was informed "Competition brought to you by Concert and Levi's" The cost entry per is $0.50.

Make ringtones from any song - 49759

Do you 'own your phone'? Apparently you have to make your own ringtone first. "OwnYourPhone.com allows you to convert your own digital music files (mp3,m4a,wma,etc...) into custom ringtones (your music, clipped how you want)" Check it out at www.ownyourphone.com.

This is clearly a challenge to the industry. On the news page, the company writes "Verizon Wireless officially refuses to allow their customers to put user generated content on their phones. Good for you draconian emperialism, you've hoodwinked your customers again!That means until Verizon Wireless comes to their senses (because enough of their users realize they are being pwned and change providers), we won't be able to support the evil mobile empire :[

Good luck fighting the wall!

On the radio - 49330

Radio Data Group Inc. provides "a radio-friendly texting tool- so you can text your listeners and they can text you?" So what is a radio-unfriendly texting tool? The most interesting thing I read at www.rdg.com/mxm is that there is "No set up or messaging fees" and "No requirement to charge listeners premium fees", but there is "Barter pricing that's flat, predictable, and all-inclusive " But, what is barter pricing?

MYSBUX - not so impressive right now

So by now you know the big news. Starbucks has a short code. It is 697289 or MYSBUX.

I have to agree with most of the mobile pundits including Mobhappy. I'd tell you what I think, but he wrote so eloquently. Read the post at http://mobhappy.com/blog1/2007/04/01/what-is-it-about-starbucks/