Today marks the day that SMS (Short Messaging Service)--more popularly known as text messaging--turns 20 years old. To celebrate it, many technology news sites have offered their heartfelt greetings, which is mildly appropriate considering the fact that the very first text message was a simple "Merry Christmas" sent just in time for the holidays. Nowadays, the world sends and receives over 150 billion text messages every day. With its ubiquity and ridiculously cheap prices, it would probably surprise no one to find that it's here to stay.
What Else You Need To Know
- The very first text message was sent out on December 3rd, 1992.
- Finnish engineer Matti Makkonen is widely credited as the father of SMS. He participated in a recent interview with the BBC which was conducted entirely through text.
Other sources
Despite the fact that rivals can boast cheaper prices and additional services, the SMS has something all its challengers lack — ubiquity. Nearly everyone with a basic cellphone can send and receive a text, meaning that one can send a message without having to know what kind of phone is at the other end.- Ina Fried, All Things Digital
- TechRadar
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The text message turns 20 today
To celebrate the text message's 20th, Ofcom has done a bit of research into its illustrious history, finding that we now send around 50 text messages a week each.
- Other
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Text messaging turns 20
The humble SMS (short message service), aka the text message, has turned 20 today.
- The Inquirer
- Text messaging passes its peak as it celebrates 20th birthday
- Other
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Hppy bday: the text message is 20 years old today
Although SMS (Short Message Service) was originally conceived some years before, with hindsight Papworth's message was momentous moment in the history of communications.
- Other
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Text messaging at 20: how SMS changed the world
The first text message was sent from a computer to a mobile phone 20 years ago today.
- The Guardian
- Happy 20th birthday, SMS – I'll resist the urge to send you a drunken text | Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett
- Mobile Syrup
- The first text message was sent 20 years ago today
- Engadget
- Twenty years after the birth of SMS, its creator consents to a text-only interview
- Other
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OMG, the Text Message Turns 20
Since then there have been trillions of texts shuttled around the globe, each delivering their messages in 160 characters or less.
- Chip Chick
- Merry Christmas! The First Text Message Turns 20 Today
- More...