Facebook extends status updates to SMS

Social networking giant Facebook announced users can now subscribe to receive text message alerts containing their friends' status updates directly from their online profiles. By clicking the new "Subscribe via SMS" link posted directly below a friend's profile photo, users can also comment on a status update directly from their mobile device by replying to the update alert. Users may also sign up for mobile updates from the Facebook pages of their favorite celebrities, public figures, businesses and organizations.

The status alert service is now live in 18 countries where Facebook has existing relationships with mobile operators--markets include the U.S., the U.K., South Africa, Indonesia and New Zealand. Users must first activate the Facebook Mobile application before signing up for the service.

For more on Facebook's SMS status updates:
- read this Facebook blog entry

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