There was a time,almost 20 years ago, that text messaging was a new and exciting thing.  That almost seems impossible since the invention of smartphones has brought us so many new and previously impossible functions when it comes to our mobile devices.  Now it seems that text messaging may already be becoming extinct as more people turn to mobile software for their communication.  Applications have more features than traditional text messaging and can also be free to use.  Amongst a new era of SMS fraud these apps are also safer to use than traditional texts.

Apps like Viber will actually mirror your phone book with all of your contacts that also use Viber.  This allows you to call or message these contacts free of charge.  This application will also inform you if anyone from your contact list installs the app.  Viber does need 3G or a wireless connection so even though it is technically free users need to be aware of data usage.

An app called Jaxtr, created by the mind behind Hotmail, lands along the same lines as Viber.  Jaxtr will integrate with your existing SMS inbox.  When someone sends you a message using Jaxtr it will end up in your SMS inbox.  You do not need to have Jaxtr installed on your phone to receive messages sent by the app into your inbox.  This gives it an advantage over other similar apps.

Another app that has serious business applications is and app called Whats App.  This application not only allows users to send SMS messages as well as documents.  It is not restricted to any specific operating system and can be used across platforms.  You are also able to send messages and documents to multiple recipients, which makes contacting groups of people easy.

Probably one of the most popular forms of communication in the mobile technology era is Skype.  Skype allows users to chat using both video and text messaging.  Skype can be used across platforms as long as your device has a front facing camera.  Along with one on one video, users are also able to do group video chats which has important business applications especially if you or associates travel.

This comes on the heels of mobile companies around the world considering dropping prices for SMS.  These companies are also taking steps to reduce the amount of SMS spam consumers receive.  Cloudmark research recently released data showing that SMS fraud and spam are growing by 300 percent yearly.  These attacks are becoming increasingly more sophisticated and can contain a rapidly changing content.  The most common forms of these frauds are loan, gift card, credit card, and bank frauds.  According to Cloudmark these SMS scams can be more damaging than traditional email scams.  While most email attacks are just spam with only around 10 percent of them being financial fraud, over half of the SMS spam is made to extract sensitive financial data.

As in app messaging becomes more popular it is easy to see how this could be the end for the SMS.  While traditional text messaging will probably never really disappear, its popularity will most likely continue to decline.  Gone are the days when people just missed the nostalgia of making a phone call.

On The GoWARE provides mobile app development and training services for Apple iPhone, iPad, Google Android, and BlackBerry platforms.