We　introduce　the　concept　of　cyber-physical-social-mediated　communication　(CPS-C)　and　analyze　why　CPS-C　is　better　than　pure　cyber-mediated　communication　for　two　popular　applications:　mobile　social　networks　and　mobile　crowd　sensing.　CPS-C　utilizes　its　unique　characteristics　(i.e.,　cyber-physical　synchronization,　human　intelligence,　and　physical　displacement)　to　bring　benefits,　including　natural　boundary　of　information　exposure,　tangible　interaction,　targeting　receivers　on　the　fly,　decentralization,　and　piggybacking.　As　a　result,　energy　efficiency　and　user　experience　are　improved.　We　highlight　the　existence　of　human-machine　intelligence　in　the　communication　process,　which　has　rarely　been　addressed.　©　1999-2012　IEEE.