ATLANTA, Feb. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- You've seen them on candy hearts for years, but now short, to the point, and sometimes discreet love notes are sweetening up cell phones as a result of wireless text messaging. Thirty-three percent of people surveyed say they communicate with their date or mate via text messaging in 2007, an increase of six percentage points from last year. Twenty-eight percent of users also report using text messaging to flirt. Looks like Cupid has tapped into the text messaging craze.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070209/CLF076 )

For the fourth year, Cingular Wireless, part of the new AT&T, has commissioned a survey of adult cell phone users to determine how cell phones have affected their romantic lives. The survey was conducted in January 2007 by ICR (International Communications Research) among 1,006 wireless users and reveals that SMS and MMS-based communication between partners is on the rise.

Other findings from the survey include: * Thirty-eight percent of respondents said that a date answered his or her wireless phone in the midst of a great dinner conversation while 31 percent said they had done the same * Twenty-eight percent have used text messaging to avoid long conversations * Seventeen percent reported that a wireless phone has saved them from an uncomfortable date * Twelve percent have used text messaging news as a conversation starter with a date or mate * Eight percent of respondents say they have ended a relationship over rude/offensive wireless behavior * Five percent of respondents have called someone else he or she was interested in from a wireless phone while on a date and seven percent reported that their date had done so * Six percent have judged a prospective date by the phone they use

"Text messaging has become part of the social fabric of dating in America," said Jennifer Bowcock, director of consumer public relations for Cingular Wireless, the new AT&T. "People can text one another to make plans or even say 'I love you' when they may not have the time or ability to make a voice call. It is definitely a discreet and simple way to stay connected."

Also significant in the survey results, 59 percent of active daters use text messaging to communicate with their dates, while only 30 percent of those who are married, in a committed relationship or not dating do the same with their partners. AT&T's wireless unit provides suggestions on how to lure your love with wireless this Valentine's Day:

* Text messages allow you to let your loved one know you are thinking about them, even if you're at work or a public place where a voice call isn't appropriate. Say I LOVE U or HEY CU T whenever the mood strikes. * Consider using your camera phone to snap a picture of a vase of fresh flowers or a hand-made heart drawn on paper and then use multimedia messaging to send the romantic image to your sweetheart. If you want to add a little heat to the fire, tap out a love note to include with the photo using text messaging. That's sure to make even Cupid smile. * Ready to take your love to the next level? Show your favorite guy or girl that you've set their picture as your phone screen's background. * Still searching for the perfect gift? Flowers and chocolate don't last forever. Take your favorite Valentine to the nearest Cingular store to buy the new Cingular SYNC by Samsung in Red, now available for $49.99 with a two-year contract and after a $50 rebate. * If you are expecting a call during a date, let your date know in advance that you might have to take it, that way he or she won't take you out with the trash. * Lastly, always Be Sensible and remember that a dinner or movie date is no place for a ringing phone if you want to live happily ever after.

AT&T's wireless unit also offers a variety of love songs for download as ringtones, in honor of Cupid's big day. Ringtones are available on Cingular MEdia Net or http://www.cingular.com/ for $2.49 each. There are also several Valentine's Day-themed wallpaper graphics available for download for just $1.99 each. A sample of featured romantic ringtones includes:

"Promise," Ciara "Forever and For Always," Shania Twain "My Funny Valentine," Chet Baker "My Love," Justin Timberlake "I Honestly Love You," Olivia Newton-John "Love Shack," B-52's "Unforgettable," Nat King Cole "When a Man Loves a Woman," Percy Sledge "Come Away With Me," Norah Jones "Ain't No Other Man," Christina Aguilera "Baby, I Love Your Way," Peter Frampton "You Are The Sunshine of My Life," Stevie Wonder "Brown Eyed Girl," Van Morrison "Making Memories of Us," Keith Urban "We've Only Just Begun," Carpenters

Another cool idea for Valentine's is to send someone a Mobile Postcard from Fujifilm. Customers can mail personalized postcards from their Cingular camera phone to any U.S. postal address for just $1.99. It's a great way to stay connected with the ones you love. For more information, visit http://www.cingular.com/learn/messaging-internet/messaging/mobile- postcards.jsp .

About AT&T

AT&T Inc. is a premier communications holding company in the United States and around the world, with operating subsidiaries providing services under the AT&T brand. AT&T is the recognized world leader in providing IP-based communications services to business and the U.S. leader in providing wireless, high speed Internet access, local and long distance voice, and directory publishing and advertising services. As part of its "three screen" integration strategy, AT&T is expanding video entertainment offerings to include such next-generation television services as AT&T U-verse(SM) TV. Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at http://www.att.com/.

CONTACT: Kelleigh Scott Beal of Cingular Wireless, the new AT&T,
+1-404-236-6321, or kelleigh.scott@cingular.com

Web site: http://www.cingular.com/
http://www.att.com/