The app, Silent Tweets, is a visual alert system for iPhone and Android smartphone users. It allows anyone who downloads the app to post and receive important information about public areas. Users are given 140 characters to write information to be shared with other users who are within the location that the announcement relates to.
Using the Global Positioning System (GPS) tool on the smartphone, the app will automatically send notifications to users based on their location. For example, if a train is running late or will depart from a different platform, a person who uses the app will be able to receive a visual notification of the timetable and platform changes, as well as a vibration that indicates a new announcement has been made.
In a statement, Australian Communication Exchange (ACE) chief executive officer, Sandy Gilliland said: “The application is a compelling idea for the Deaf and hearing impaired community as it provides functionally equivalent access to the range of audio messages and announcements that the hearing community enjoy.”
According to ACE, 50 large scale organisations will contribute to the information posted and distributed via the app. Information about traffic, weather, train services and sporting events will be available. ACE is currently working towards getting more organisations to participate.
The Silent Tweets app is one of the winners of the 2011 Telstra Innovation Challenge and will be released to coincide with the 2012 Australian Deaf Games on the 14 January 2012. It will be free to download from iTunes and the Android Market.
The ‘tweets’ posted on Silent Tweets will be screened by ACE.
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