Send Short Messages with Wristbands

Text Bands — a new product that encourages kids to connect face to face while using an interactive wristband.  To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please click http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hallmark-bumps-the-trend-with-new-kid-product-text-bands-163246116.html

First-of-its-kind Text Bands allow kids to swap messages by bumping fists or shaking hands. Recently, thousands of kids and celebrities, including Cody Simpson and Demi Lovato, have bumped fists and traded messages at Hallmark Text Bands launch parties. Starting today, everyone can participate in the Text Bands action. Text Bands are available for $14.99 at Hallmark Gold Crown^® stores nationwide.

“In this world of behind-the-screen communication, we wanted to give kids a new fun way to connect face to face and express themselves,” said Dan Woodall, Hallmark Product Manager. “In Hallmark focus groups and at Text Bands launch parties, kids have been enthusiastic about Text Bands. We are excited Text Bands now are in stores so everyone will have a chance to experience this new way to connect.”

How Text Bands Work
Text Bands starter kits feature a purple or charcoal-colored Text Band, complete with a texting module and style band. Kids enter up to 10 characters into the screen and, when they see a friend wearing a Text Band, they connect by bumping fists or shaking hands. The bands will light up, and the message transfers from band to band. A bad-word filter built into the Text Band helps ensure kids send positive messages. Text Bands hold up to 24 messages at a time — the newest messages push out the oldest — giving kids the perfect excuse to connect with their friends again and again.

Text Bands Style
Hallmark also offers style bands, giving kids an opportunity to showcase their style. Style bands feature various designs, including Peace Graffiti, Camo Breeze and characters, such as Minnie Mouse, and retail for $4.99 each.

“With eight style bands to choose from, kids can change their Text Bands to match their outfits or moods for the day,” said Dan Woodall, Hallmark Product Manager. “Additional style band designs, including one featuring teen pop sensation Cody Simpson, will be introduced throughout 2012.”

The Power of Positivity
Before using Text Bands, kids are encouraged to recite the “Text Bands Oath” and promise to use their band for positive communication and friendship. Teen stars, including Demi Lovato and Cody Simpson, led fans in the Text Bands Oath this summer at Hallmark Text Bands launch parties. Other celebrities who attended Text Bands debut events included Ariel Winter (“Modern Family”), Kendall and Kylie Kardashian (“Keeping Up the Kardashians”) and Kelli Goss (“Big Time Rush”).

What Others Are Saying About Text Bands

• “You can show people who you are through the use of your Text Band.” — Kenton Duty, actor from “Shake It Up!”
• “I wish I had these [Text Bands] in middle school, because it’s much easier to ask a girl out with this.” — Cody Simpson, teen singing sensation
• “If I could bump fists with all my fans with a Text Band, I would say ‘URLoved’.” — Tiffany Thornton, star of “Sonny with a Chance” and “So Random!”
• “I love these things [Text Bands]. I’m going to be wearing this all the time now.” — Cole Pendery, singer, IM5

Article was quoted from Sacramento Bee

LED wristbands keep glowing in Concert

The glow-in-the-dark devices created for the band’s live performances – known as Xylobands – usually die after the concerts.

However, fans have reported that the bands, which have been given out for free to more than a million fans, have started flashing again of their own accord several days after the event.

In theory the bands, which create a dramatic effect at Coldplay gigs, cannot be reactivated after the shows end. However, fans have been writing on the group’s web forum page about them doing just that.

One concert-goer called Denise wrote: “My Xyloband woke me up in the middle of the night and it’s still glowing.”

Another added: “Really weird, my dad’s white Xyloband just started flashing again.” A Belgian fan added: “Mine is alive! It started flickering about an hour ago.”

It is believed the only way to stop the glowing is to jamming a pencil clip into the band.

The Xylobands use ultra-low-power microcontrollers to receive and process wireless signals that trigger the wristband’s LEDs to light up in sync with Coldplay’s music and stage lights show.

Clive Banks, who is the co-founder of RB Concepts (the company behind the bands), told The Independent that the “afterglow” is no cause for concern. “There’s no mind control or tracking, they are just for fun,” he said.

The devices may be activated by their proximity to a Coldplay concert. “Our record transmission is 2km,” Mr Banks said. “It depends on buildings but they have quite a range in a straight line. There might be some faulty units going off.”

Source:  Telegraph.co.uk