Blog Post 8 - Texting

The idea of texting, also known as short message service (SMS), first began in 1984 by Friedhelm Hillebrand and Bernard Ghillebaert. This website shared that the first message was sent in 1992, but at this time cell phones did not have keyboards, so the message was sent on a PC. 

Nokia was the first company to support sending text messages in 1997 with a full keyboard on the cell phone. This product was called the Nokia 9000i Communicator. Pioneers would be the people who first tried texting. The average American sent .4 texts each month in the year 1995. These Americans would be in the pioneer group. 

In 2000, the average number of texts increased to 35 a month for each user. The people that adopted the innovation at this time would be considered the early adopters because they saw how useful texting could be from the pioneers, so they started using it as well. 

The pioneers and early adopters see the benefits of texting and learn as time goes with different types of keyboards such as the slide phone keyboard, touch screen keyboard, and 9 touch keyboard. These groups also see the benefit of sending a quick message that the receiver can read and respond to easily without having to take the time for a phone call. SMS allows users to respond on their own time, or not respond at all whereas phone calls require both people to be available and at a place they can speak to one another. 

Other benefits as time goes on is that images and videos can be sent through a text message. This allows users to send more types of messages and benefit users. 

The early majority in this example would be the people who watched texting increase in popularity then decided to adopt the innovation because they saw the need to have the skill. The late majority would be the people who adopt the idea of texting way later. They might have begun texting in 2007 with new cell phone inventions and innovations like the smartphone that has touch screen keyboards. 

The laggards of the texting innovation are likely elderly people who did not grow up with the innovation and would have to learn from scratch. A few of the laggards may adopt, but it is likely after years of refraining. I picture the people in this group as grandparents who hold the cell phone close to their face and type using one finger. 

The late majority and laggards may have taken longer to adopt or not have adopted texting at all because they focus on the negative aspects of the innovation. One negative aspect is it takes away the tone of voice from the message. The sender may have one way of saying the message while the receiver may read the message is a differing tone that creates a different message than intended. These groups may also think that texting takes away from communication skills. Many texts include abbreviations or do not include proper punctuation. Late majority and laggards, who are typically in the elderly ages, prefer proper punctuation and in-person communication because that is what they grew up with. 

They may decide to never adopt because they do not want these negative benefits and other personal reasons. For them, the benefits may not outweigh the cons or negative aspects. These groups may really value actually speaking to a person or are set in their ways and not willing to learn anything new. The benefits of resisting the adoption of texting are that they get more human connection and potentially have less confusion of tone. They also get an instant answer rather than waiting for when the receiver sees the message and takes the time to respond. 

I think that the pros of texting outweigh the cons because you can always call or ask for clarification when needed. In situations where you don't need an instant answer, texting is often more convenient. Texting also provides written proof of a conversation if you need to provide answers for other people. The written proof also can serve as a memory. For example, if someone texted their address then you could go back when you are headed to their home. 

Texting also provides time to think of a response when it’s a tough statement or question whereas in person or on the phone one must respond immediately. The innovation also allows me to easily keep in touch with people who are especially busy. I still feel close to them, but do not have to find a time in their schedule to make a phone call or get together all the time. 

Texting has both positives and negatives and people have adopted the innovation over time to fit into the categories in the Diffusion of Innovations theory. 

When new technologies come out, I usually find myself in the early adopters or early majority groups because I like to see what it is about before adopting. I see how if the innovation is worth my time or funds and then assess if the innovation is for me. Check out this list of pros and cons to decide for yourself what category you are in!