Get Some Textual Healing this Valentine's Day

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 19, 2006--

Textpert Advice from T9 and Relationship Guru John Gray

“Sending a text is a great way to get to know someone better and to let them know you are thinking of them. Text messages are an informal and fun way of communicating”

Tegic Communications, maker of popular T9 Text Input software for cell phones, has teamed up with John Gray, author of best-seller Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus and AOL Love & Sex Coach, to offer the top-ten tips to help ensure a successful union of texting and dating in 2006.

It's no secret that text messaging is on the rise. In fact, even texting to share amorous thoughts is on the upswing, according to the first annual T9 Texting Outlook Survey. Sixty percent of those who sent text messages have sent one to tell someone they love them or miss them.

Meanwhile, 27 percent have sent a flirtatious or sexy text message and 26 percent have used cell phone text messaging to say "Happy Valentine's Day." Seven percent have even sent a text message to ask someone out on a date - so keep that phone charged up at all times!

Given the rise in text messaging, which is now used for breaking up, making up and for asking out dates, Tegic and John Gray offer the texting tips below to help ensure successful coupling in 2006.

Texting & Dating: Top-Ten Do's & Don'ts

DO reply to a text message in a timely manner. No one wants to press "send" only to be left waiting (and waiting) for a reply.

DON'T read too much into whether he or she has (or hasn't!) signed off with X's and O's for kisses and hugs.

DO carefully consider the effect your text message is going to have on the reader. Send a note that will put a smile on her face, not leave her wondering why she gave you her number in the first place.

DON'T overuse emoticons, such as smileys, and text speak, and make sure the recipient knows what you mean. You don't want to scare off a potential date who thinks you mean "lots of love" rather than "laugh out loud" when you type LOL.

DO wait until at least the third date before you engage in "textual relations" with a new love interest. Be sure sexy or intimate texts are well-received before firing off note after note.

DON'T assume he is awake and sober just because you are. If you receive an outlandish reply at 3 in the morning or no reply at all, wait 12 hours and try again.

DO flirt and send love letters via text. But be careful about sending texts that you wouldn't want read by anyone other than the intended recipient.

DON'T read too much into failure to reply right away to your text message. However, if you've texted three times without a reply, it may be time to move on.

DO make sure you're sending a text message to the right person in your phone book. Imagine the discomfort upon learning you've sent hot and steamy love notes to your grandmother.

DON'T be a bad speller. It makes less of an impact on the intended to learn that you want to "kips" rather than "kiss" them.

"Sending a text is a great way to get to know someone better and to let them know you are thinking of them. Text messages are an informal and fun way of communicating," said Dr. Gray.

T9 predictive text software anticipates the word that a user is entering as they press a key just once for each letter. For example, keying "love" requires just four keystrokes (5-6-8-3) instead of 11 when tapping out letters individually. And "Valentine" can be reached in 9 steps instead of 19.

For users new to predictive text entry on cell phones, check out http://www.textfast.T9.com.

About T9(R) Text Input Software

T9 Text Input, a leading alphabet-based and Chinese, Japanese and Korean character-based text input software, is the flagship product of Tegic Communications, and is available in more than 51 languages. By incorporating T9 Text Input into mobile communications products, companies are solving the fundamental problem of how to quickly and easily type and send SMS text messages. More than 800 mobile phone models available throughout the world today include T9 Text Input and the technology has been licensed to major consumer electronics and communications equipment manufacturers worldwide. For more information about T9 Text Input software, visit http://www.T9.com.

About Tegic Communications

Tegic Communications is a leading provider of enabling software for mobile data services, including T9 Text Input, a market leader in predictive text input. A wholly owned subsidiary of America Online, Inc., Tegic was founded in 1995 to develop and market communication technologies for the telecommunications and computing industries. The company is headquartered in Seattle, Washington (U.S.A.) and has offices in London, Paris, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Seoul, Beijing, Bangalore and Sao Paulo. Tegic is on the Web at http://www.tegic.com.