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unconfirmed
There's no official confirmation yet, but TMONews says that T-Mobile is working on a system to let its users block SMS, MMS, email and IMs from other users one at a time through a call to customer care or a visit to a retail store. It's unclear whether you can block calls, which would be even better thanks to annoying automated calling systems that somehow call you for days on end but don't say anything. Is T-Mobile the first provider to activate call and message blocking? Why don't more providers do this? [TMONews]
Rumor: T-Mobile Will Allow Blocking of Text Messages, Maybe Calls
There's no official confirmation yet, but TMONews says that T-Mobile is working on a system to let its users block SMS, MMS, email and IMs from other users one at a time through a call to customer care or a visit to a retail store. It's unclear whether you can block calls, which would be even better thanks to annoying automated calling systems that somehow call you for days on end but don't say anything. Is T-Mobile the first provider to activate call and message blocking? Why don't more providers do this? [TMONews]
concept
The WaSnake shelf concept by designer Jean Louis Frechin not only holds your stuff, it also features connectivity that allows it to display news from chosen RSS feeds and even SMS messages. Plus, the whole unit is highly configurable so you could find a spot for it on nearly any wall in your home.
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The WaSnake Shelf: It's Like a Personal Assistant That is Nailed to Your Wall
The WaSnake shelf concept by designer Jean Louis Frechin not only holds your stuff, it also features connectivity that allows it to display news from chosen RSS feeds and even SMS messages. Plus, the whole unit is highly configurable so you could find a spot for it on nearly any wall in your home.
More »
iphone patent
iPhone Instant Message Patent Points to Upcoming MMS, Background IMs, GPS Module
Apple's filed a patent on their upcoming iPhone instant messaging app, detailing exactly what it's going to look like and how it's going to behave. While most of the images show an iChat-esque (and current SMS-like) interface, there are some interesting tidbits we picked up from the text. One, there's mention of "graphics, photos, audio files, video files and/or other attachments as are supported in a MMS and/or Enhanced Message Service," which points to possible MMS support in the future. At the very least, it might mean that their IM app will be able to transfer files. Two, there's also a reference to the user receiving "an instant message while the user of the device is in another application," alleviating fears that we wouldn't be able to IM in the background. Both these snippets are after the jump.
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free
Jaxtr Gives Free International Text Messages To You And Your Swedish Friends
With Jaxtr, we've got a cheap (free) and easy way to send messages internationally. Before now, whenever we saw a hot lady dressed up in a Stormtrooper outfit we had to send Jesus hundreds of IMs in hopes that the chime would wake him up. No longer! Now all we have to do is log on to Jaxtr—it works from the iPhone too—and type our message in there. Their service only supports a limited number of countries such as the UK, Sweden and Germany, but it leaves out some big ones like Japan and Spain. Wait, Spain? Guess Jesus is going to have to wait a few hours to see Ms. Stormtrooper. [Jaxtr via Gear Diary via JkOnTheRun via Into Mobile]
weird news
The same doctor that was pushing for internet addiction to be classified as an official mental disorder has now published an article in the latest American Journal of Psychiatry stating that sending a large amount of SMS messages will qualify as well. Not only that, it seems that Jerald Block is throwing in too much computer gaming in the mental disorder pile too. What do you and your BFF Jill think? Is too much SMSing something you need to get professional help to quit, as evidenced by the findings that "people who are denied access to the internet or mobile phones displayed feelings of anger, tension, and/or depression?" [Cellular News via Tech Dirt]
Sending Too Many SMS Messages Means You Have a Mental Disorder
The same doctor that was pushing for internet addiction to be classified as an official mental disorder has now published an article in the latest American Journal of Psychiatry stating that sending a large amount of SMS messages will qualify as well. Not only that, it seems that Jerald Block is throwing in too much computer gaming in the mental disorder pile too. What do you and your BFF Jill think? Is too much SMSing something you need to get professional help to quit, as evidenced by the findings that "people who are denied access to the internet or mobile phones displayed feelings of anger, tension, and/or depression?" [Cellular News via Tech Dirt]
cellphones
AT&T Jacks Up Text Message, Multimedia Message Rates
Yesterday, AT&T announced an unlimited voice plan for the iPhone that still comes with a paltry 200 text messages. Now, we have word that AT&T will be jacking up the price of text messages over your plan's limit to a whopping $0.20, with multimedia messages going up to $0.30 (not that the iPhone can send those). If you send lots of text messages you'd better sign up for a larger text plan or risk adding some pretty crazy fees to your bill. [Broadband Reports]
10:21 AM on Mon Mar 10 2008
By Adam Frucci
13,142 views,
65 comments
Latest by n/a: Ok so I've been going round and round with AT&T customer service, according to the brochure I received with my iphone it clearly states unlimited calling and texting to at&t wireless customers, I also checked their terms and conditions page more »
cars
Webasto Heater is Activated by SMS, Pre-Heats Your Ride
The winter may bring with it romantic comedies featuring Hugh Grant, but the downside is the drop in temperature. Fortunately, the Webasto Thermo Top E Parking Heater allows users to send a text message to a car where it is installed, which then kicks it into action, ensuring your car is warm to the touch when you get in. The self-contained unit uses a tiny amount of fuel, and can also be activated by voice or remote control. The heater outputs 4.2kW for a maximum of 60 minutes at a time. Sure, that would keep you from hanging like a brass monkey, but the $1,695 price tag seems a little on the hefty side to us. Remember; it's not cold if it's free cold, whatever that means. [Red Ferret]
6:07 AM on Tue Feb 19 2008
By Haroon Malik
3,021 views,
19 comments
Latest by n/a: maybe some of you don't understand the effect this will have on emissions if this was implemented into all cars. cold starts produce the biggest amounts of hydrocarbon and carbon dioxide more »
gadgets
"Shopping" at Ikea is more of an enjoyable afternoon outing than an quick in-and-out errand, so anything that helps make the experience even more pleasant gets a thumbs-up from us. This Ikea Mobile kiosk was found in Seattle by Unpluggd, and allows you to scan bar codes for products to get sent via SMS to your phone.
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Ikea Mobile Syncs Bar Codes, Weekly Deals to Your Phone
"Shopping" at Ikea is more of an enjoyable afternoon outing than an quick in-and-out errand, so anything that helps make the experience even more pleasant gets a thumbs-up from us. This Ikea Mobile kiosk was found in Seattle by Unpluggd, and allows you to scan bar codes for products to get sent via SMS to your phone.
More »
5:45 PM on Wed Feb 6 2008
By Jason Chen
4,223 views,
26 comments
Latest by Daimyo Nintendo: Hey put whatever you want in your store; just keep cooking those meatballs n gray n taters in the cafeteria. more »
gong hei fatmodo
Not only are we smart, charming and pretty here at Gizmodo, we are also fantastically cultured. As the Chinese New Year is upon us, we would like to take this opportunity to wish all those celebrating it a smashing new year. As a Chinese restaurant placemat our research informs us, the Chinese calendar cycles every twelve years, with each year representing a different animal. Tonight rings in the Year of the Rat, and in tribute to our respected rodent, we've got a special rattus gadget roundup. Jump in for that priceless, Indiana-Jones-in-the-sewer feeling.
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Gizmodo Salutes the Rat: Happy Chinese New Year!
Not only are we smart, charming and pretty here at Gizmodo, we are also fantastically cultured. As the Chinese New Year is upon us, we would like to take this opportunity to wish all those celebrating it a smashing new year. As
12:30 PM on Wed Feb 6 2008
By Haroon Malik
6,616 views,
55 comments
Latest by soundengineer: @whiteknight89: snakes ftw! And hey guys, as long as we understand that, it's fine. I find that it's much easier for those more attuned to the western tongues to get their lips around the phonics of "gong hei fat choy" rather more »
potty
SMS Opens Bathroom Stalls: I HAV 2 P
Along Highway 1 in Western Finland, some rest stops have bathrooms that can be opened only via text messaging. Otherwise locked, a number is posted on the door to which you text "OPEN." The door unlocks and you can do your business. More »
bugs
iPhone 1.1.3 Mixing Up Your SMS Order? Here's How You Fix It
If your iPhone's displaying SMS messages out of order on firmware version 1.1.3, it's because your phone has a different time/date setting from your cellular provider. To fix it, just switch your phone to auto-sync from the network. [Apple]
nokia
ShakeSMS Lets You Shake Your Nokia to Read Text Messages
Shaking a phone to read text messages is as intuitive as swiping your finger across the screen to unlock it, but once you're trained it becomes second nature. In this case, ShakeSMS is an app for Nokia phones that lets you jostle your phone to view an incoming SMS. Jigger it again to go back to the home screen. That's pretty much all the app does, but it does it well. [ShakeSMS via Phonemag]
privacy
Verizon, AT&T Respect Your SMS Privacy
Verizon and AT&T have both gone on record saying they do not record SMS communications. The privacy debate is one that, understandably, gets emotions stirred, but you can all rest a little easy knowing the official stances of two of the major cellular networks. More »
iphone
We've got the walk-through video above, but here's what we think of iPhone Firmware 1.1.3. The Google Maps location finding is excellent, probably because Apple made sure they programmed in Moscone's data points correctly into their location services. It takes a while to zero in onto your location because it's not GPS, which means it's not really that great for turn-by-turn directions where you need to know whether or not to make a right at the next light. More »
Hands-on With iPhone Firmware 1.1.3
We've got the walk-through video above, but here's what we think of iPhone Firmware 1.1.3. The Google Maps location finding is excellent, probably because Apple made sure they programmed in Moscone's data points correctly into their location services. It takes a while to zero in onto your location because it's not GPS, which means it's not really that great for turn-by-turn directions where you need to know whether or not to make a right at the next light. More »
We've got the walk-through video above, but here's what we think of 
sms symptoms
New Zealander Diagnosed With Text Messager's Thumb
A student in New Zealand has been diagnosed with the first recorded occurrence of Text Messeager's Thumb in the country. The 20-year old student is thought to have sent up to 100-text messages/day, which resulted in inflammation of the tendons in her thumb, causing grave discomfort. More »
air cells
The 