Txteagle - transcription service via SMS

Digital Planet

Alka Marwaha
BBC World Service

A new scheme that distributes simple tasks via text messages is being used to target a potential untapped work force in developing countries.

Txteagle is making it possible for many people in countries like Kenya to earn small amounts of money by completing simple tasks like translations or transcriptions.

Amazon's "Mechanical Turk" similarly divides up tasks but Txteagle differs in that it distributes them via text messages over mobile phones, which have a higher penetration rate - particularly in the developing world.