The Techno-Gurus from technology makeover show My Home 2.0 apply their skills to an animatronic Teddy and online service, Twitter.com
June 16, 2008

Facts

What is a Twittering Teddy?

* Twittering Teddy is a DIY project created by the Techno-Gurus from the technology makeover show My Home 2.0. New York agency Campfire created My Home 2.0 to showcase Verizon’s FiOS technology transforming the lives of real families.

* Teddy employs custom circuitry, text-to-speech software and bluetooth hardware, to enable it to sit on your desk and read aloud the Twitter feed of you and your friends. (Oh, it employs AA batteries, too.)

* A short, embeddable video shows the build process in detail, with full instructions available on the My Home 2.0 site. It features Gurus Alison Lewis (whose new book Switch Craft lands in stores this October) and Lloyd Emelle (who developed the text-to-speech software with his colleagues at the Drexel Music and Entertainment Technology Lab.)

* For two weeks, beginning June 16th, you can watch and hear Teddy twitter live via an exclusive partnership with Ustream.TV, where you can also chat with other visitors, as well as the Techno-Gurus themselves.

* During this time, one of several working versions of Twittering Teddy that were created for the shoot will be placed on eBay in a charity auction. All proceeds will benefit the Homeless Children's Education Fund. The winning bid will be matched by The Verizon Foundation, up to $1,000.

* You can get in on the fun yourself by visiting Twittering Teddy's web page, by following teddy on Twitter, and by bidding on the eBay auction.

* This project is not officially endorsed by Twitter.com, but makes use of their publicly available API.

What is Twitter?

* Twitter is a service for friends, family, and co–workers to communicate and stay connected through the exchange of quick, frequent answers to one simple question: "What are you doing?" There's an excellent video that explains Twitter in simple language here.

Quotes

Attributed to Beth Mulhern, Verizon's Director of Consumer Regional Marketing in Pennsylvania and Delaware:

"My Home 2.0 brings to life the ways ultra-high-speed broadband and high-definition TV, powered by Verizon FiOS, can make the homes of families large and small more fun, productive and connected. Twittering Teddy is an example of the creative applications that are available through the use of our all-fiber technology. We are thrilled that the recipient of the proceeds of the eBay charity auction will be the most deserving provider of quality educational resources, The Homeless Children’s Education Fund."

Attributed to William B. Petersen, President of Verizon Pennsylvania:

"Verizon's mission is to help individuals, across the lifespan, achieve the skills they need to live, learn and work in the 21st Century, especially through the use of technology. The opportunity to bid on the Twittering Teddy Bear being offered by Verizon's My Home 2.0 is innovative and exciting, but even more so since the winning bid will be matched by Verizon, up to $1,000.00, to benefit the Homeless Children's Education Fund in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Together, Twittering Teddy, the winning bidder and Verizon are helping to improve the quality of life and education for children who otherwise may not have such an opportunity."

Attributed to Brad Hun stable, Founder, Worldwide Interactive Marketing, Ustream.TV:

"Ustream.TV is excited at the opportunity to work with Verizon FIOS and be the exclusive live video solution for the Twittering Teddy project. As the world's largest live streaming company, Ustream has worked with everyone from 50 Cent to Sen. Barack Obama, but working with the world's best fiber network in Verizon FIOS and the amazing Teddy is something very special!"

Attributed to Jennifer Vickers, Managing Director, Homeless Children's Education Fund:

"We are honored that Verizon has chosen our organization and most of all our children to benefit from this creative venture. Technology has definitely helped in our work as we are constantly looking for innovative programs to serve our transient population. With the increase of web-based products we are able to provide access to digital library databases, educational software and reading assessment tools that can be used throughout our shelter-based program network. These products also allow our students to take advantage of resources after they leave the shelter. Verizon FiOS provides an opportunity to help in the most unexpected ways and we are glad to be a part of this campaign."

Multimedia

In addition to the Twittering Teddy Web Page, we have assembled the following links and multimedia that will assist you in informing others about the project.

HANDY LINKS

* Twittering Teddy Home Page

* Teddy on Vimeo

* Teddy on Twitter

* Images of Teddy on Flickr

* Teddy's eBay auction (coming soon)

* Teddy's Del.icio.us Bookmarks

* My Home 2.0 Facebook Group

About

About My Home 2.0
My Home 2.0 is an episodic TV show in which ordinary families get the custom home technology makeover of a lifetime. With the help of our three Techno-Gurus, each home goes from an outdated relic to the Verizon FiOS-powered, high-tech envy of the neighborhood. We reveal the jaw-dropping results at a massive block party, and invite a few hundred friends and neighbors to join in the fun! You can watch the episodes, follow the families’ 2.0 transformations, and see the Techno-Gurus’ latest DIY projects at 2pointhome.com.

About Campfire
Campfire creates marketing programs that organically insert brands into consumers’ conversations. Campfire draws on its experiences in marketing and entertainment, starting with The Blair Witch Project in 1998 and including branded properties such as The Art of the Heist for Audi, Beta-7 for Sega/ESPN Video Games and My Home 2.0 for Verizon. Campfire is based in New York City. For more information, please visit: campfirenyc.com.

About Ustream.TV
Ustream is the leading internet broadcasting platform. Ustream's proprietary technology powers an easy-to-use, web-based interface, allowing anyone with a camera, computer and Internet connection to broadcast live to the world. Integrated with a host of interactive tools including chatrooms, co-host, and shout meter, Ustre am's platform delivers real-time, social experiences on the web. Since its beta launch in March 2007, Ustream has grown to 360,000 registered users broadcasting 8,000 – 10,000 live shows a day. Ustream.TV is headquartered in Mountain View, California, and is privately held. For more information, please visit: www.ustream.tv

About The Verizon Foundation
The Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon Communications, supports the advancement of literacy and K-12 education through its signature program, Thinkfinity.org, and fosters awareness and prevention of domestic violence. In 2007, the foundation awarded more than $67.4 million in grants to nonprofit agencies in the United States and abroad. The foundation also matched the charitable donations of Verizon employees and retirees, resulting in $25.1 million in combined contributions. Through Verizon Volunteers, one of the nation's largest employee volunteer programs, Verizon employees and retirees have volunteered more than 3 million hours of community service since Verizon's inception in 2000. For more information, visit www.verizon.com/foundation.

About the Homeless Children's Education Fund
The Homeless Children’s Education Fund (HCEF) is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit located in Pittsburgh, PA with a mission to provide quality educational resources for children and youth residing in area homeless shelters. We celebrate our success in developing quiet, study space, state-of-the-art computer technologies and Resource Libraries within the shelters to ensure children are not lost in this period of despair, confusion and transition. After almost 10 years of experience, research and relationship building with our partner shelters, schools, libraries and a host of community partners we are prepared to scale deeper in our efforts to impact the academic achievement of homeless children and youth. For more information, please visit: www.homelessfund.org.

Contact Info

Tags & Sharing

Verizon | Twitter | Ustream | Teddy | Technology | DIY | FiOS | Social Media | eBay

Posted by Steve Coulson | tagged: Teddy, Twitter, charity