SMS for Life: 22 ways SMS could improve my life

I keep ending up in conversations about how SMS is very underutilized. After all, basically all phones can send and receive text messages – not everyone has a smart phone (yet). So here is a quick list of some ways I’d like to integrate texting into my (real & imagined) life.

1. Public transportation: Tell me how long until my bus arrives so I know if I can drink another coffee (or cosmo)
2. Diet reminder: Remind me to drink extra water at 2pm so I don’t crave that Snickers at 4pm
3. Banking alert: Tell me my balance just fell below my minimum so I can fix it immediately!
4. Real estate info: Send me details about the condo for sale on Beacon Hill that I’m walking by right now
5. Auto sales: Tell me if your dealer has the make and model I’m looking for in stock without me having to talk to a sales person
6. Toddler celebration: Let me know that my little one in day care just did something cute or brilliant!
7. Event ticketing: Send my ticket to the Red Sox game straight to my phone and let me show a code at the gate
8. Job alert: Tell me there’s a job that just became available in your database that fits my skills and I should apply for immediately
9. Mobile journal: I’m tracking some “issues”. Let me text how I feel throughout the day in real time to something that will compile it into a journal for a consolidated reference
10. Meeting reminder: Get my attention so I’m not late for the All Staff meeting that needs to start on time (or heads will roll)
11. Pre-heat the sauna: I want my sauna ready when I get home, let me text in to start it up (they do this in Finland!)
12. School weather alert: Tell me the snow emergency is for real and the kids can sleep in tomorrow
13. Team sports subs: The team needs a last minute goalie for the hockey game tonight, send a text to everyone on the league list to see if they can sub
14. Waiting list response: A space just opened on the waiting list – text me to let me know and respond ASAP
15. Test results: Let me know my medical test was all clear as soon as it’s known (don’t make me wait 2 weeks and wonder)
16. Time sheet tracking: Let me report the time I’m spending on each task by texting into a consolidating tool in real time (because in reality I’m going to make it up if I have to remember afterwards – and I’ll probably be late in handing it in, too)
17. Private shopper: Give me the scoop that those red Prada shoes I’ve been craving are finally in stock in my size and let me reserve or buy them if I text back in time 
18. Bully alert: Give my kids a way to report mean behavior to the school authorities anonymously
19. Concierge Service: I’m ready now, please have James bring my car around by sending in a text (and let me add that I’d like extra blankets for the next evening as well)
20. Liquidation: Give me the chance to visit your store at closing time if you have extra perishable items that get marked down to 75% off. (especially that strawberry tart with crème fraiche!) You’ll throw them out anyway if no one knows about it
21. Refill Reminder: I procrastinate in re-ordering my skin care regime – get on my case and remind me so I don’t age prematurely, ideally with a link to  order my standard items immediately
22. Inspiration/Guilt trip: Remind me that I committed to go to the spinning class at the gym by texting me right when I was about to say “tomorrow”… (ideally send an image of Gisele’s legs to add extra impact, although that would make it an MMS and a slightly different technology… )