Text in the New Year

Virgin Mobile predicts that over 50 million text messages will be sent in Canada on New Year's Eve, which is double the number sent last year. On average, Canadians send about 31.5 million text messages per day.

"There's no doubt about it, we're becoming complete text maniacs and we get right into it on big occasions," said Nathan Rosenberg, Chief Marketing Officer at Virgin Mobile. "Whenever we celebrate, people love to express how they feel with a text message. New Year's Eve is the climax of that frenzy."

There are obvious times where text messaging is extremely convenient: if you're in a meeting, for one, or a quiet place where you can't accept phone calls (like a movie theatre or a library). Of course, if you're somewhere that's blaringly loud, as anywhere on New Year's Eve is likely to be, text messaging becomes equally as convenient. Although a quick "Happy New Yr" would likely suffice, Virgin Mobile predicts text messages of a naughtier ilk as well.

With that said, don't be surprised if a Guiness Book of World Records rep is hanging out at your party to log the record for most simultaneous finger-punching. 3, 2, 1, pull out your Blackberry, and text! Oh yeah, and Happy New Year!