An experiment that lets you text your retail orders

Technology is changing commerce in ways that are almost difficult to imaging. A company called Subports now lets you buy items using text messages. You simply sign up with your details – mobile number, credit card and shipping address – and can then buy goods on your mobile device by by typing in a product’s Subcode. The Subcode is a descriptive name that appears in quotes in social networks, blogs, emails, or print ads, posters, flyers and signage.

You text the Subcode to PORTAL, your credit card is charged and the product shipped to your address. When necessary they add tax and shipping. The customer is then charged the standard messaging rates for the transaction.

Subports is an experiment in mobile commerce. The company says it wants “to lower the barrier of entry to the digital marketplace…” and people “to activate a retail presence anywhere.”