February 14, 2005
SMS hugs via Mobile Phone
Though this may remind some of you of other ways cell phones can be used to convey, uh, vibrant emotions, this one is appropriate for Valentine's Day.
How can we give somebody a hug if they're not near us? often this impulse will drive us to call the loved-one to 'say hello', or send a quick text message but does this capture our emotion?
Well, not like HugsSMS can.
HugsSMS is a device designed for sending someone you care about a hug using your mobile phone.
Once HugsSMS is connected to your mobile phone all you have to do is send it the phone number of the person you'd like to hug and then squeeze. sensors inside the device read how long and how hard you have squeezed and will format a text message based on your hug.
For example, a long squeeze would look like: 'hhhhhhuuuuuuuuuuggggggg'
While a short and hard squeeze would look like : 'hhHHUUUUUUugg'
HugsSMS also communicates with light and color. The strength of the squeeze is mapped to a change in color. If the person you're hugging also has a HugsSMS, then your message will also trigger the same color change.
How does it work?
HugsSMS connects to your phone over bluetooth. Once paired it can be used any time to send hugs to whomever you choose. The device is small and can easily be carried around with you. See quicktime movie (Thanks Ann!)
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