Killer apps

As of late, I have already stumbled across dozens of SMS applications that claim to be the next KILLER APP. I’m sure you’ve heard the term before...far too often, in fact. A quick search of local content reveals many references, with everything from illegal Web text sites, ring tones to crude text mail services being tabbed "the next killer app." This in reference to an application or product so lethal, that it has the ability to radically alter the way a culture does things. Truth is, I don’t believe there is such a thing as a "killer app."

Don’t get me wrong; I’m not against those wannabe applications. What I am against is the search for a killer app. If you ask me, people use applications for a variety, and a combination, of reasons. To cite one yet-to-be-developed application as the saving grace is, well, ridiculous. The practical and realistic side of me triumphs again. What I do admirably recognize is the simple usefulness of an application or product that will enjoin the broadest amount of community to its adoption. Illustrated below is my top pick of applications or services available locally which I believe is just the closest thing you will ever find to a KILLER APP.

The product dubbed Chikka (loosely translated: small talk) Txt Messenger is actually a mobile version of popular Instant Messengers (IMs) already being used by millions of PC users worldwide as a "real-time" communications medium (such as AOL IM, ICQ and Yahoo! Messenger). On the other hand, SMS (Short Message Service) or "texting" is Instant Messaging’s counterpart in the cellular GSM world and the most successful of wireless data services ever launched. The principle is the same: Real-time messaging between online recipients, through a computer or a cellular phone. Chikka’s idea was to marry these two most popular communication media from the PC and the mobile world and to initially launch it in the most demanding SMS market in the world – the Philippines.

Simply putting it, Chikka has now enabled its users to both IM and text any buddy, from more than 50 countries all around the world to the Philippines for free. There are now three ways to Chikka: 1) through a downloadable program; 2) the Web-based "javalite," for those on the go; and 3) through all pervasive, all familiar e-mail called Txt2mail! Txt2mail is a marriage of two widely acknowledged apps, e-mail and SMS. For more specific details on how to start enjoying these great services, check out their homepage at http://www.chikka.com or send IM to 2371 for Globe subscribers or I-CHAT to 277 for Smart subscribers.

Television enjoys the deepest penetration of any available medium in this country today. This apparently translates into 40 million viewers of terrestrial TV and two million on cable TV. Such is why LinkTV and its sibling, The Lounge, is what I consider another great application. These two TV channels are the pioneering true interactive TV channels in the Philippines; their ingenious developers were able to converge the TV with 12 million cellular phones. Thus, this enables a cellular phone user to view the channel and actually interact with the show. Gone are the days of passively watching shows! What you will see on screen is a multi-paneled split screen, such as on CNBC and Bloomberg, and every screen provides different functionalities. Specifically like streaming video, banner advertisement, news announcements and a real-time SMS chat window. The real-time SMS chat allows a user to send a chat message via text and the said chat message gets posted for broadcast up on a scrolling chat window in real-time. There must be already a huge community of SMS TV chatters as I have never seen that chat window stop scrolling upward, even at 4 a.m.! The other entertaining content on these 24/7 channels are as follows: interactive SMS games, promos, SMS polls, emoticons (just like an IM!), entertainment news and more! Check out LinkTV on Channel 44 on Home Cable and Channel 47 on Sky Cable, and the Lounge on Channel 54 at Home Cable and Channel 57 at Sky Cable. To get registered, send REGISTER to 22881 for Globe subscribers or to 20301 for Smart subscribers.

In a very recent statement, the Pope had stated that the Church must utilize today’s technology as a tool for evangelization and spiritual nourishment. This calls for the spreading of the gospel values to its various community members by means of mass communication. In response to this, a very inspiring SMS service called "Catextism" was recently launched by the Archdiocese of Manila. Catextism allows users to access "Sacred Space (popular on the Net, www.jesuit.com.ie), a guide to prayer and meditation on the Scriptures copyrighted by the Jesuit Communications Center based in Dublin, Ireland. In this mobile version of Sacred Space, it lets users send their prayer intentions for offering in Masses at EDSA Shrine. Another option lets users post their reflections as well as see the reflections posted by others. Replying to a particular reflection also permits users to engage in one-on-one anonymous conversation. It is almost like having a spiritual confidant always handy to help you get through the many stresses of today. The daily spiritual readings are supervised by the Archdiocese of Manila. According to Bishop Soc Villegas, "the mobile phone which represents the hustle and bustle of people’s lives now gives reminders for prayer...Catextism’s message is that God is present in all situations." To access this holy service, send AMEN to 2371 for Globe or 777 for Smart. You may also check their website for more details at www.catextism.com.

(Patrick R. Garcia is the managing director of Bidshot Wireless Services. For comments or suggestions, text your message to 233011(Globe) or 243011(Smart) or e-mail [email protected].)