I had a note from Bob Roth at 4INFO highlighting another range of service updates. The sexy new functionality is the ‘reply 1’ option which automaticall sets up a text alert for the information you just requested.
1. The "Reply 1 to Set Alert" Feature
This functionality eliminates the need to repeatedly type out and
request information for certain services, such as sports scores, stock
quotes, or weather queries. Instead, users can ‘Reply 1†to immediately
set automated text alerts. When a user sends in a sports, stock, or
weather query, their reply will ask if they’d like to set a text alert.
For example:* Sports: Text ‘texas†to 4INFO (44636). The reply will provide
information about Texas’ last and/or next game. Set a text alert for
‘texas†by following the ‘Reply 1 to set game end alert†command, which
will send a text at the end of each game.* Stocks: Text ‘aapl†to 4INFO (44636). The reply will provide
information about Apple’s stock for that trading day. Set a text alert
for Apple by following the ‘Reply 1 to set daily alert†command, which
will send a text at the end of each trading day.* Weather: Text ‘w 94303†to 4INFO (44636). The reply will provide
information about the weather in Palo Alto, CA. Set a daily weather
text alert by following the ‘Reply 1 to set daily alert†command.A confirmation text will be sent after an alert has been set by phone.
The text will describe the type of alert that was set and the various
ways to manage or discontinue its scheduled delivery.
A confirmation text will be sent after an alert has been set by phone.
The text will describe the type of alert that was set and the various
ways to manage or discontinue its scheduled delivery.
(Btw, we\’ve seen a marked increase in alerts being set with this
feature. I love it when a plan comes together.)
2. The Curse of 4INFO
Twice a coincidence, three times a curse? We created a bunch of online
ads for the Gannett affiliates in late January, using Duke as the
example team to query. Duke lost to Georgetown. We switched the small
ads in the USA TODAY over to Duke. Duke lost to North Carolina. We sent
out a press release for setting an alert from your phone. The same day,
Duke lost to LSU. Now, on one hand, since I am not a Duke fan, this
rocks. On the other hand, it really messed up my bracket. NOTE: New team
promoted above is Texas (which is a Big 12 nemesis and helps my bracket
when they lose).
As always, please send me your questions, comments, and/or concerns!
Sincerely,
Bob
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//–>I was just talking with a colleague yesterday about SMS stock alerts.
Both of us sat staring at each other wondering where we could get stock
information sent to our mobiles.
‘Google, probably?’ I thought. I did think of 4INFO, but as far as I
know they don’t operate in the UK yet. So I figured Yahoo might do
mobile stock updates. I tried a Google
and came up with nothing. I thought the text alerts space would be
crawling with service offerings! I must be missing something. There
has to be some huge big service here in the UK like 4INFO that has just
slipped my mind? Help me out with any suggestions!
I could certainly have done an 82ask — but then it was an alert I wanted, not an answer. Perhaps they could have suggested a service!