Zlango’s Icon-based Language for SMS

Zlango is a new Israeli startup (there is a lot of innovation going on there)
that has created a very interesting new language and associated
application that could change the SMS landscape (as well as,
eventually, email and IM). Israel design firm Mantis is involved with the project.

The language is based on icons, or pictures. Each icon has a specific
meaning – a person pointing to himself for “me” or a heart for “love”.
There are over 200 icons included in the Zlango language today.

Users of the service download a thin 64K Java or Brew application for
their GSM or CDMA phone. The application converts the icons into a SMS
message and then re-translates back to icons at the receiver phone. To
see how it works visually, check out the flash tour here and then try out the simulator here.

Source: Techcrunch