Week 4 - Input/Output

Stadium SPEAK is a product that utilizes various forms of input and output.  It is our goal to provide users with the ultimate social experience, surrounding (literally) their favorite sports team, at their favorite sports venue.

As far as input is concerned, users can send their messages to Stadium SPEAK through Twitter or through the Stadium SPEAK app, available on the App Store, Android Marketplace, and BlackBerry App World.  Tweets can be sent via text message, the Twitter Website, or many of the various Twitter applications, including their iPhone, Android, and Blackberry Apps.  Other third-party apps, such as TweetDeck, are also compatible with Stadium SPEAK.

The output aspect of Stadium SPEAK is quite simple.  Tweets will be displayed on the stadium's LED boards, on the Stadium SPEAK website, on the stadium's Twitter page, or on enhanced telecasts of games on any of the major networks*.

Stadium SPEAK.  The key to the game is at your fingertips.

*This is a premium feature, negociated between Stadium SPEAK, the stadium operators, and the network.

Week 3 - Hardware

The beauty of Stadium SPEAK is that the majority of the system is handled by Twitter's servers, thus costing less to our clients.  Ah, the beauty of the cloud.  As far as hardware requirements are concerned, to host the account, any device with access to Twitter will suffice.

For the boards to perform at maximum performance, Stadium SPEAK recommends use of a workstation with the following minimum system requirements:
- 2.5 Ghz Quad-Core processor
- 16 GB RAM
- 6 GB 384-bit GDDR5 Crossfire/SLI Certified Video Card
- At least 10 GB Free HDD Space for system software

Finally, the hardware of the boards themselves:
- Max Resolution: 8192x320 pixels
- Operating system: Windows XP/Vista/7
- Operating temperature: -40 to +60deg. C
- Operating humidity: 10%-90%RH
- Operating voltage: 220V AC or 48V DC
- Input voltage: AC220V/50Hz ±10% 
- Cabinet depth: ≤180mm
- Brightness: ≥6000nits
- Grey level R, G, B 256 levels each
- Brightness adjustment 64 grades
- Viewing angle:

• Horizontal: ≥110°
• Vertical: ≥50°

- Viewing distance: 250 m

Stay tuned for next week's update!!

Week 2 - Privacy

Privacy is an aspect of the IT world that must be taken very seriously nowadays, but with Stadium SPEAK, privacy is hardly an issue.  Because the product utilizes Twitter, each user has the option of determining what they want the world to see.  It is the user's choice as to what they post, and the system will automatically filter out explicit or intimate comments that could possibly invade an individual's privacy.

Another great aspect of Stadium SPEAK is that the stadium operators can determine whether or not they wish to license the technology to various networks for usage.  This way, stadiums can choose to privatize their user's feeds to the in-stadium boards only.  Stadium SPEAK accounts will still be viewable on Twitter, of course, but because we are now using separate ACCOUNTS for each stadium instead of hashtags, each stadium could choose to protect their tweets and keep their content private.

Finally, Stadium SPEAK is committed to the privacy and security of its users and clients.  It is our mission to ensure that, as privacy settings continue to evolve, and lawmakers tackle issues concerning social media privacy, our community will have the best privacy options available.  This is all a part of our dedication to you, the consumer.  Enjoy a great weekend of football!!

Stadium SPEAK.  The key to the game is at your fingertips.

Week 1 - Intro and Social Media

Have you ever been to a sporting event and really wanted to tell EVERYONE in the stadium to get up and SCREAM?!  Or tell them that the chili dogs are only $3.50 and taste like heaven on a bun?  Or even let your team's head coach know that running the ball on first down hasn't worked all game?!  Can you imagine being stuck at home watching the game on TV?  All you want to do is be a part of the crowd, and no matter how hard you yell at the TV, they still can't hear you. Well, Stadium SPEAK puts you in the game!  Whether you are in a luxury box or peanut heaven, the student section or home on your couch, with Stadium SPEAK you can communicate with the entire stadium from any mobile device.

How is this possible, you ask?  The key is social media.  Namely, Twitter.  Each Stadium SPEAK location is assigned its own hashtag, such as #DomeSPEAK, #SUSPEAK, #OttoFAN, etc.  Then, special LED boards are installed in the stadium that are dedicated to displaying a constant feed of Tweets by fans and spectators.  Because Twitter is a public site, that means ANYONE can Tweet to any Stadium SPEAK unit, and anyone can view the feeds on Twitter by simply looking up the hashtag.  This will allow fans of all ages and locations to get involved with their favorite teams or with the big game.  Stadium SPEAK can also be licensed by TV networks to integrate live Tweets into their broadcasts.  The fan experience has never been this real.

While many stadiums currently offer "Text-to-Screen" services, they often are taken down during live action and require users to text their message to a random, inconvenient number.  Not to mention the fact that they can't be accessed by anyone outside the stadium and are subject to a rigorous review process that can ruin the timing of the message.  With Stadium SPEAK's unique technology, every Tweet is instantly screened for profanity and derogatory language (as well as inappropriate symbols and abbreviations), and if a Tweet is deemed inappropriate, it is not shown, and a response Tweet is sent to the sender, informing them that their message was inappropriate.  The true value of the technology is that no-one is being censored, because all Tweets will still be available on Twitter, but stadiums can still maintain a fan-friendly environment while offering an innovative, new way for their teams' fans to come together and interact during games.

Stadium SPEAK.  The key to the game is at your fingertips.