Text Messaging Featured Article

Texting is moving in a new direction. Consumers are beginning to realize they want freedom with the process of sending a text message. Zipwhip, a cloud texting provider allowing mobile subscribers to text from virtually any connected device, is moving with this shift.

The company recently announced the launch of its desktop app, which allows Android (News - Alert) phone users to text message from PC, Mac and Linux operating systems using their existing mobile number.

Zipwhip frees SMS from the mobile device, empowering Android users to text whenever and wherever it’s convenient on a desktop at work, tablet during a meeting or laptop in class.

Eighty-three percent of American adults own cell phones, and nearly three-quarters of them text message. Reports indicate that there were more than 2.3 trillion text messages processed in 2011 – a 12-percent increase over 2010.

John Lauer, chief executive officer at Zipwhip, identified texting’s untapped potential early on.

“Everyone loves their phone, but we found that after installing Zipwhip our users read 42 percent of messages on their desktop,” he said. “We could never have predicted such a huge shift in behavior.”

Zipwhip attributes this shift to two factors: demand for a device-agnostic SMS experience and giving incoming messages priority positioning on a user’s desktop. Upon downloading the desktop app, received messages appear over other applications, making it easy for users to stay connected to those that matter most.

Previously, Zipwhip was only available via carriers. Zipwhip began its initial product rollout with Sprint Web Texter in February 2009 and added partnerships with T-Mobile (News - Alert), U.S. Cellular and C Spire, enabling a range of cloud texting services.

In response to the popularity of Web Texter, Sprint launched an enhanced version, Web Texter Plus, in February 2012. Over the past two months, Web Texter Plus has seen an eightfold increase in the number of monthly signups, speaking to consumer demand for a more flexible SMS solution.

In addition to carrier partnerships, the company also enables a Web-based and Android tablet application that allows customers to text anywhere, anytime. In the past year, Zipwhip claims to have more than doubled its user base to 6.4 million and now processes over half a billion messages per month.

With this announcement of the desktop application, Zipwhip continues to complement its carrier, Web and tablet offerings by providing consumers with an all-encompassing and seamless SMS solution.

Want to learn more about the latest in communications and technology? Then be sure to attend ITEXPO West 2012, taking place Oct. 2-5, in Austin, TX. ITEXPO (News - Alert) offers an educational program to help corporate decision makers select the right IP-based voice, video, fax and unified communications solutions to improve their operations. It's also where service providers learn how to profitably roll out the services their subscribers are clamoring for – and where resellers can learn about new growth opportunities. For more information on registering for ITEXPO click here.

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