Trend: Cashless Society: SMS Commerce

TrendCentral reports: As the tech capabilities of the mobile phone increase, so does the power of SMS. While text-to-buy is a popular practice in Japan, we’re just now beginning to see a number of services emerge here in the States, which focus on text messaging as a way to drive business.

Here are two:

Live Buy It: Shopping mag Lucky has introduced a mobile marketing program titled Live Buy It in this month’s issue. Readers are able to instantly purchase products via PayPal from 18 different marketers and retailers simply by texting in the product’s code word. Shoppers will have access to a fully implemented Live Buy It program in the September issue, as well as online.

Mobo: Giving the idea of “fast food” new meaning, New Yorkers now have a new free text messaging-based service which drastically cuts down on wait time. With a choice of various local and chain restaurants such as Mangia, Tossed, Bienvenuto and Quiznos, users simply text in their orders and are then billed automatically through a pre-selected payment method. When the food is ready, they receive a text, and can pick up at a separate Mobo counter for even faster service. And if you can’t get out, Mobo delivers.

via TrendCentral.com