OK folks, here's what I've found out about the SMS messages to +447624802625.
It turns out that phone number validation via SMS was in fact enabled for Windows Mobile in build 298463 and for Palm in the initial release. I had not been made aware of this (no one thought to tell me) so that's why I didn't put it in the release notes. On behalf of SEVEN I apologize for this oversight.
As for the number being an escort service: That is
absolutely not true. The number was purchased by us from a service called ASPSMS which is a service that provides (among other things around SMS messaging) SMS-to-HTTP. I realize that a Google search for 447624802625 returns a couple of alarming-looking results indicating association with some kind of escort service, and it is certainly possible that the number lived a previous life in that underworld, but I can assure you that the number is owned by ASPSMS and we purchased the rights to use it. It is completely legitimate. Anyone interested in learning more about it can visit their web site here:
http://aspsms.com
As for how it works: We program the client to send an SMS to the ASPSMS number whenever a new email account is being registered. The SMS contains your phone number and some information about the email account being registered (email address, type, provider, etc). They receive the SMS and then translate it into an HTTP URL which they then post us at an API URL at preview.seven.com. When they do this, we add the information to the reporting database.
Why are we doing this? Basically, it's to test the functionality, which really is what a beta program is for, isn't it, folks? In commercial releases, we need to be able to track user activity and collect reporting data for many reasons, not the least of which is to be able to bill our carriers and collect revenue. Without reliable and verifiable reporting data, we can't make money and then we will disappear and you'll be sad. Come on, admit it!
So why do we need to use an international number for this? The short answer is: We don't. Well, not necessarily, anyway. We can choose a number in (just about) any country in the world. We chose a UK number because we were thinking of Symbian users initially who for the most part are outside the US, and particularly are most highly concentrated in Europe. Unfortunately we can only hardcode a single number into the client, and there is no way for us to give you a choice as to which number to use. We are looking into acquiring a US number to use for other clients such as Windows Mobile and Palm which would make more sense because most users of those platforms are indeed located in the US.
Of course, even if we are able to do this, there will still be a certain number of people for whom this will be an international number and hence there will be costs incurred. We have the capability to pop up a warning message during installation (and therefore before registering any email accounts) where we can inform you that using SEVEN may result in charges for SMS messaging, including possible international SMS messaging. I am pushing hard to make this happen and I hope to have it in place with the next client update for each platform.
I think that just about covers it... let me know if there are any further questions or concerns.