There are other technologies that can carry more complex, detailed messages. There are other delivery systems that are easier to use, less limited in scope and arguably far more secure. There can be few means of communication that rely on such an unwieldy and inefficient data input process as mobile phone text messaging. And yet, the medium is one whose impact on society has been enormous over the past few years.
Telephone-based short-messaging service (SMS), to give it its full name, has grown up, donned a suit and marched straight into the board room of many commercial organisations. Anyone who thinks it is useful only for spotty, awkward teenagers with a lamentable grasp on grammar and punctuation is living in an ivory tower.
