by PETER SVENSSON, AP Technology Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — Americans are saying goodbye to text messaging, a wireless industry group says, as Internet-based applications such as Apple’s Messages are starting to taking over from what was once a cash cow for phone companies.

CTIA — The Wireless Association says Americans sent 2.2 trillion text messages last year, down 5 percent from 2011. That’s still 19 text messages per person per day.

Text messages vaulted into the mainstream in 2007, despite often costing 10 cents each. Costs came down quickly as phone companies started selling monthly “bundles” of texts.

Now, many phone companies give text messaging away for free as part of a plan that mainly meters data used.

That has helped stave off mass migration to Internet chat applications and Facebook messaging, but texting is still declining in popularity.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.

The tech giant confirmed yesterday in its earnings report, OS X 10.8 “Mountain Lion” would go on sale Thursday morning.

Anyone who bought a new Mac after June 11th gets the upgrade free.

New features include closer integration with iPhones and iPads and easier access to social media.