NYC boy, 16, named fastest texter in America
NEW YORK (AP) - The reigning 16-year-old champion of cellphone texting has reclaimed the title of fastest texter in America.
Austin Weirschke of Queens, N.Y., won after eight rounds at the texting competition Wednesday in Times Square. He gets $50,000 in prize money.
Eleven contestants from around the U.S. competed. The competition tested three skills: speed, accuracy and dexterity.
There were three rounds, including texting while blind-folded and texting with hands behind their backs.
The third round is called "text blitz." Phrases were shown to the contestants for a length of time and they copied them as fast as they could.
The annual competition is sponsored by cellphone-maker LG Electronics.
Austin Weirschke of Queens, N.Y., won after eight rounds at the texting competition Wednesday in Times Square. He gets $50,000 in prize money.
Eleven contestants from around the U.S. competed. The competition tested three skills: speed, accuracy and dexterity.
There were three rounds, including texting while blind-folded and texting with hands behind their backs.
The third round is called "text blitz." Phrases were shown to the contestants for a length of time and they copied them as fast as they could.
The annual competition is sponsored by cellphone-maker LG Electronics.
At my age I really appreciate modern technology.  My phone anticipates my next word and offers suggestions based on the first letters I âtypeâ in. The blue tooth ear piece asks if I want to read or save a new text.  I can even voice in an answer, so I can hold a long text conversation without taking my eyes off the road or my hand off the wheel. The only problem is that it does not always translate exactly what I said, but the person at the other end gets a good laugh. Iâm old and slow, but I like text over voice mail.    Â
Please let me know when he applies for his drivers license. Oh the humanity.
@sliverpicker
That, more or less, was my first thought as well.
Oh. Â His parents must be so proud.
Really, a contest for texting speed with monetary prizes? We've stooped to a new low...
Next stop...NASCAR.
Now I've seen it all! Â This gives all teens something to really aim for....
 @poolwench And if they fail, they still can try out for 'Teen Mom'
I bet I could still beat him as fastest phone dialer, using a rotary phone.
 @Robinsnest The Kid probably doesn't even know what a rotary dial phone is!
 @Robinsnest That is officially the funniest thing I read all week!
So a fast 16 year old texter is getting $50,000 in prize money for a vast wasteland? That's nothing! A 15 year old wom the award for longest video gaming by playing an X Box for 4 days straight! Don't you just love wherwe our youth is going?