Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.

It seems that every industry these days is focused on investing in mobile technology. I now do most of my banking from my iPhone and aloft hotels is piloting a program where you can get your room key automatically downloaded on your mobile phone so you can skip the front check in desk (sign- me up for that!).

United is now offering 500 free miles (registration link) for signing up with their mobile shopping platform. Once signed up, they'll send you up to three texts per week with offers that might appeal to you. I just signed up, so I'm not sure what kind of offers they will be, but it appears that there will be opportunities to earn extra United miles for spend on your Visa (note: it does not need to be a Chase United MileagePlus Explorer Card - I successfully registered my Sapphire Preferred).

Of course nothing in this world is actually free, so not only do you give them the right to text you offers, but they also get access to your personal shopping information from Visa "..I understand and agree that my Visa card's transaction history (which may include my flight itinerary information purchased with my Visa card) with United Airlines and other merchants may be used to provide me with offers and messages based on my purchase behavior, and I agree to the broader terms and conditions of participation in the MileagePlus mobile offers program. I acknowledge my name and email address and mobile number will also be collected by MileagePlus and subject to MileagePlus privacy policy (see MileagePlus website)."

So basically they will be able to understand your purchase history and then select offers targeted towards you. Is that worth it for 500 United miles (roughly $10 to me)? Only you can say, but I personally did it because I will just un-enroll once I get my miles in 6-8 weeks.

To opt-out:
(a) send a text message with the words "STOP" to 81825 or "STOP" to any text message you may receive from MileagePlus mobile offers (or such other short code that may be used in the future);
(b) visit https://rtm.visa.com/MileagePlus and unsubscribing your enrolled mobile number

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Hat tip TPG reader Umut!

Terms and Conditions:

1. Offer valid only for MileagePlus^® members currently residing in the 50 United States (including Alaska and Hawaii).
2. To receive the 500 bonus award miles, members must successfully register by entering their MileagePlus member number, eligible Visa card number and mobile number.
3. Register anytime on or between May 21, 2012 and Oct. 21, 2012.
4. The registration period will conclude at 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 21, 2012.
5. This offer is combinable only with other combinable MileagePlus offers.
6. A member can register up to three eligible Visa cards per MileagePlus member number but can only earn the 500 bonus award miles one time.
7. Please allow 6-8 weeks after registration for posting of the 500 bonus award miles. The 500 bonus award miles will be posted to the MileagePlus account entered at time of registration.
8. Miles accrued, awards issued and bonus offers are subject to the rules of the MileagePlus program. The MileagePlus program, including accruals, awards and bonus mile offers is subject to change without notice. United and MileagePlus are registered service marks. For complete details about the MileagePlus program, visit mileageplus.com.
9. Offer subject to change without notice. Other restrictions may apply.
10. Visa and United, including their respective subsidiaries, affiliates and agents are not responsible for any products and services of other participating companies and partners.
11. For complete details about the MileagePlus program, visit mileageplus.com.
12. Complete terms and conditions for MileagePlus mobile offers can be found here