Michigan Journal

Issue date: 9/16/08 Section: Features

Media Credit: Slydial.com

For anyone who has ever reluctantly dialed a phone number, pressed send, held their breath as their heart dropped with each ring and crossed their fingers in hopes that the person would not pick up their end of the phone, a savior from awkward phone conversations has arrived. The bright minds of MobileSphere, a global wireless communications provider that focuses on providing mobile messaging and telephony solutions to service providers, enterprises, universities, and consumers, have brought everyone with telephone access the best thing since sliced bread, which in the world of wireless would be text messaging.

What's this new earth quaking phone function? Slydial.

This new voice messaging service allows callers to effectively avoid conversation for reasons both harmless and scandalous by bypassing the actual phone call and simply leaving a voicemail. Callers who have at one time dodged someone's phone calls, needed the day off of work, tried to ditch a stage five clinger, or wanted to apologize to someone but were too afraid to face the one they wronged will find slydial useful.

Just like the "sly" service they provide, slydial's creators cleverly covered all of their bases. Victims of slydialing have no way of knowing they are being avoided. A slydialer simply calls the slydial number (267-SLYDIAL) and then, when prompted, types in the phone number they intend to call. Slydial calls the other party, sends the caller straight to the voice mailbox and, in some instances, even displays a missed call alert. In no way can slydial phone calls ever be answered.

While the phone messaging service's Web site admits that slydial is a craft and mischievous way of skirting around an uncomfortable conversation, not everyone needs to use slydial for naughty reasons. The site also brags that slydial is an efficient and hassle-free form of communication. Instead of texting while driving, people on the go can keep their hands free by slydialing. A friend that wants to wish someone luck before an interview or a first date, but is too busy cramming for an exam to gab can save time but still be thoughtful by using slydial.

Senior Kristin McDonough agreed that she would use slydial to ease communication when she's busy.

"When communicating with campus organizations I don't always have time to make a phone call, and not everyone has text messaging on their phones," she explained. Although McDonough has pure intentions for slydial, other students plan to take full advantage of the sneakiness slydial offers its users.

Continued...

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