Recent shifts in global SMS usage have some tech analysts deeming video messaging, among other social media platforms, as communications’ newest successor. Video messaging’s allure continues to spread, catching the eye of big players such as software heavyweight Microsoft, Skype’s recent heir in an 8.5 billion buyout. From e-mail to Xbox, Microsoft is concentrating current development efforts on video conversation technology integration throughout its product line. Likewise, Facebook has reportedly linked ventures with Skype in order to broaden the social media network’s functionality with “Facebook to Facebook” calling.
Is video the practical communications solution for 21st Century America — from quiet business meetings and college classrooms to noisy suburban streets? The International Association for the Wireless Telecommunications Industry (CTIA) proves otherwise, revealing a growth in text messaging of 16 percent from January to June 2011 – amounting to more than 1 trillion texts. Undeniably, there is a resilient element to SMS that video messaging lacks.
“We think the group-mobile-messaging market is changing the way people interact with mobile,” said Skype chief executive Tony Bates. The video mega monster recently announced a new marketing strategy, in an attempt to harness the power of SMS, beginning with the recent adoption of communications start-up GroupMe, a free group messaging service provider.
Jefferson Wang from IBB Consulting echoes Bates, declaring SMS a still “highly lucrative” platform. Like Skype, the firm believes Group Messaging, voice-to-text solutions and location-based services are where SMS will maintain a stronghold amongst even the most seemingly enticing of fads. If the voices of Bates and Wang are any indicator to the pulse of the technological marketplace, SMS messaging will prove to not only conquer user flexibility and scalability, but surpasses video messaging in overall communication efficiency for mobile users across the nation.
