Posted by Fox on June 30, 2007 at 8:54 PM

So a few days ago, I got sent a link to a Mobile Social Network called Mobikade. If you're unsure what a Mobile Social Network is think of it as myspace or bebo on your mobile phone (more about Mobile Social Networks).

Anyway, so I got sent a link and thought I'd give it a try. Hee hee, being the cautious type I signed up using my wifes mobile phone. I figured if I was going to get hit with a bunch of premium SMS text messages, I'd let her deal with it :)

IT'S FREE
First surprise was that there is no charge! It's free. Nice, but what's the catch? Well I'll cover that and the sign up process in a minute. I want to get to cool stuff.

MY FREE MOBILE SPACE
Once I had my free account set up on mobikade I was given my own personal 'space' to post messages, upload mobile video and my photos (Nice to be able to move all my recent holiday snaps and mobile video off my memory card, while on the move).

SHARING YOUR MOBILE SPACE WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS
On signing up I was given a link my personal space on Mobikade. So I sent it in a text message to my brother-in-law and had him check out our holiday footage. Cool that he could post responses to my messages.

MAKE A NEW FRIEND OR TWO
When I signed up I selected a bunch of my interests, I'm not sure what impact that had on my account, but a cool feature is the ability to join 'groups' of shared interests. Anyone can create an 'interest group' on a chosen subject. Then you and I can join that group and post messages and share mobile video and photos on the subject.

FREE MOBILE DOWNLOADS
An excellent feature is the Free Mobile Games that they provide. No charge. Simply download them directly to your mobile phone and play away until your thumbs bleed.

WIN PRIZES
Another neat feature is that you get points just for being active and these points convert in to a chance to win prizes such as PS3's, iPods, Nintendo WII's and top brand name goodies such as perfume and clothing accessories.

HOW TO SIGN UP
When you get to the site, you just enter your U.K. mobile phone number. On the second page you give them some basic information about yourself and you'll instantly receive an SMS text on your mobile phone.

The text contains a link that you need to visit to confirm your registration. Just open the message and use the menu to 'find address". Then click the link.

That's it. Your in and active. From memory, I think I got about 100 points just for signing up. I've got my eye on a PS3 prize.

SO WHAT'S THE CATCH?
Well it's simple. They sell advertising space to fund the whole service, so there's no charge to you for using it. They're pretty clear about the fact that you'll receive up to 4 advertising SMS text messages a week. The messages don't cost you anything to receive. They're not a premium SMS text message.

So cool mobile social networking, free mobile games and brilliant prizes in exchange for my receiving 4 SMS text messages a week. Fair enough.

ONE LAST IMPORTANT THING
As with any mobile internet service, your mobile operator will charge you a fee based on how much data you use. Be sure to have a low cost data tariff or even switch to one of the free ones. This stuff is addictive.

Get your FREE personal space on Mobikade here. Hurry before all the cool nicknames are gone!