Happy Packages | Thought Pie

Bristol based companies Thought Den and Mobile Pie teamed up to explore the world of Pervasive Media with a project called Happy Packages. The project is a collaborative effort from Thought Den, who have been creating digital content in the city for three years, and Mobile Pie, a multi-award winning mobile content development studio.

The plan is to draw on the enthusiasm for communication and sharing that is already so obvious online and encourage users to engage with each other on the streets of their home town. The team hope to put a smile on the streets of Bristol by drawing on the playful aspects of traditional games such as pass the parcel and treasure hunts.

The Happy Packages concept is based on three already well known technologies - SMS, Bluetooth and GPS. A core aim of the research project was to establish which technology was most effective in achieving the aim of delivering packages of 'happiness' to mobile phones.

Text messages are the most simple and widely used system and through a collaboration with Venue magazine, users can receive nuggets of friendly advice for the nights activities. All you need to do is text 'HAPPY ' and any other words describing what you fancy doing, to the Happy Packages shortcode 60300.

Bluetooth is a less widely used mobile technology, but the possibilities for distributing content are far greater than with SMS - this is where Happy Fountains come into play. The idea is that certain hotspots around town can be used to distribute entertaining or useful information to anyone prepared to switch their Bluetooth on and wait a minute or two while the content is loaded onto the mobile. The possibilities here are endless - the team are currently securing the rights to distribute discount vouchers at fountains around town that can be redeemed that day, as well as videos, ringtones and images.

The final part of the project enables friends to leave digital content for each other around town at specific locations - which can then be collected in the real world with a mobile with the use of GPS. A trail of images, audio, and video can be created along with custom clues and messages to produce a completely personalised experience. It could be a tour for your girlfriend to the three places you went on your first date, or a trip around the best five shoe shops for your sister.

Currently only a few handsets are GPS enabled, but this strand of the project is very much looking to the future - the Asian and American markets are already reaping the financial rewards presented by GPS on mobile.

Ben Templeton, Creative Director of Thought Den, explained: "It's really exciting to be part of a team thinking and working at the edge of what is currently possible in terms of connectivity and interaction. We're not aiming to reinvent the wheel but relatively speaking the Happy Packages project is exploring uncharted territory"

Mobile Pie Director Tom Dowding added: "It's a chance to find new, more playful ways of accessing media. In a time when people are overwhelmed with content, the channels of distribution which give it relevance and context are becoming more important."

Thought Den have been creating digital content in Bristol for almost three years and strive to deliver work that is intuitive, intelligent and engaging. From the outset their work is driven by a desire to find the best way to establish a rewarding relationship with the end user and believe the best forms of interaction should remain intuitive and uncomplicated. The Thought Den team have worked on a range of rich media products for brands such as Jack Daniels, JVC and DEFRA.

Mobile Pie are a mobile content development studio based in Bristol. Specialising in games and entertainment they help brands and licenses take full advantage of the mobile platform. Their work is innovative and inspiring; past projects have included a finalist in the International Mobile Game of the Year awards at 3GSM and gained them a 4Talent New Mobile Developer of the year prize.