Location-specific messaging system

1. A method of transferring data, comprising:

receiving a message from a first mobile device operated by a user;

storing the message according to a location of the first mobile device;

receiving a payment from the user of the first mobile device in exchange for storing the message;

receiving an indication that a second mobile device operated by a second user is located proximate to the location; and

transmitting the message to the second mobile device.

2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the message is received using a first communication protocol and is transmitted using a second communication protocol.

3. A method according to claim 1 , where the message is received in a first format and is transmitted in a second format.

4. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the storing step comprises:

storing the message in association with location information representing the location of the first mobile device.

5. A method according to claim 4 , wherein the location information represents a location of a physical entity.

6. A method according to claim 5 , wherein the physical entity is at least one of a vending machine, an exhibit, a retail store, a display, a restaurant, an advertisement, and an entertainment venue.

7. A method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

determining the location of at least one of the first mobile device and/or a location of the second mobile device.

8. A method according to claim 7 , wherein the location of the first mobile device and/or the location of the second mobile device are determined in the form of at least one of: geographic coordinates, a street address, Global Positioning System coordinates; Bluetooth proximity data; I.E.E.E. 802.11 proximity data; transmission tower location data; and scanned barcode data.

9. A method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

receiving a request for information from the second mobile device.

10. A method according to claim 9 , wherein the request comprises a request for a message stored by a user.

11. A method according to claim 9 , wherein the request comprises a request for a first message stored by a user.

12. A method according to claim 9 , wherein the request comprises a request for a last message stored by a user.

13. A method according to claim 9 , wherein the request comprises a request for all messages stored by a user.

14. A method according to claim 9 , wherein the request comprises a request for all messages stored by all users.

15. A method according to claim 9 , wherein the request comprises a request for all messages that satisfy a given condition.

16. A method according to claim 15 , wherein the request comprises a request for all messages stored by users who satisfy the given condition.

17. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the message comprises at least one of: text; image; video; voice; audio; data; characteristics of a user of the first mobile device; data associated with a user of the first mobile device; time; date; and biometric values associated with the user.

18. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the message is received via a communication form comprising at least one of: Bluetooth; cellular; I.E.E.E. 802.11; HomeRF; copper wire; infrared, and fiber optics.

19. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the message is stored proximate to the location of the first mobile device.

20. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the message comprises a question.

21. A method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

receiving a response to the message from the second mobile device.

22. A method according to claim 21 , further comprising:

transmitting the response to a third party.

23. A method according to claim 22 , further comprising:

receiving a payment from the third party in exchange for the response.

24. A method comprising:

receiving a message from a first mobile device operated by a user;

storing the message according to a location of the mobile device;

receiving an indication that a second mobile device operated by a second user is located proximate to the location;

determining whether to transmit the message to the second mobile device based on at least one of: a policy of a user of the first mobile device; a policy of a venue including the location; a group affiliation; a policy of a user of the second mobile device; a characteristic of a user of the second mobile device; an age of the message; a language of the message; or a payment made on behalf of the user of the second mobile device; and

transmitting the message to the second mobile device.

25. A method according to claim 24 , wherein the determining step is performed by a third party.

26. A method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

receiving a rating of the message from the second mobile device.

27. A method according to claim 26 , further comprising:

transmitting the rating to a third mobile device.

28. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the message transmitted to the second mobile device comprises an aggregation of received messages.

29. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the message transmitted further comprises at least one of the advertisement, a product specification, a product offer, and a time of day.

30. A method according to claim 29 , wherein the at least one of an advertisement, a product specification, and a product offer are provided by a third party.

31. A method comprising:

receiving a message from a first mobile device operated by a user;

storing the message according to a location of the first mobile device;

receiving an indication that a second mobile device operated by a second user is located proximate to the location;

transmitting the message to the second mobile device; and

receiving a payment from the second user of the mobile device in exchange for transmitting the message to the second mobile device.

32. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the message relates to at least one of: entertainment; music; a movie; information; education; a product and an advertisement.

33. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the message is stored and transmitted by at least one of: a kiosk; a picture frame; an automated teller machine; a building; a server; a pedestal; a telephone; and a telephone booth.

34. A method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

transmitting a first message to the first mobile device before receiving the message from the first mobile device.

35. A method according to claim 34 , wherein the first message is a question, and wherein the message is a response to the question.

36. A method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

providing a benefit to a user of the first mobile device in exchange for the message.

37. A method according to claim 36 , wherein the benefit is at least one of: money; goods; services; coupons; and entitlements.

38. A method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

detecting the first mobile device; and

transmitting a request for the message to the first mobile device.

39. A method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

detecting the second mobile device; and

transmitting an offer of a message to the second mobile device.

40. A medium storing processor-executable process steps to transfer data, the process steps comprising:

a step to receive a message from a first mobile device operated by a user;

a step to store the message according to a location of the first mobile device;

a step to receive an indication that a second mobile device operated by a second user is located proximate to the location;

a step to transmit the message to the second mobile device, and

a step to receive a payment from the second user of the second mobile device in exchange for transmission of the message to the second mobile device.

41. An apparatus comprising:

a processor; and

a storage device in communication with the processor and storing instructions adapted to be executed by the processor to:

receive a message from a first mobile device operated by a user;

store the message according to a location of the first mobile device;

receive an indication that a second mobile device operated by a second user is located proximate to the location;

transmit the message to the second mobile device; and

receiving a payment from the second user of the second mobile device in exchange for transmission of the message to the second mobile device.

42. A medium storing processor-executable process steps to transfer data, the process steps comprising;

a step to receiving a message from a first mobile device operated by a user;

a step to store the message according to a location of the first mobile device;

a step to receive a payment from the user of the first mobile device in exchange for storage of the message;

a step to receive an indication that a second mobile device operated by a second user is located proximate to the location; and

a step to transmit the message to the second mobile device.

43. An apparatus comprising:

a processor; and

a storage device in communication with the processor and storing instructions adapted to be executed by the processor to:

receive a message from a first mobile device operated by a user;

store the message according to a location of the first mobile device;

receiving a payment from the user of the first mobile device in exchange for storage of the massage;

receiving an indication that a second mobile device operated by a second user is located proximate to the location; and

transmit the message to the second mobile device.