T-shirts have long been conversation starters, letting their wearers express bold political views, support their favourite artist or display their quirky sense of humour. Reactee takes the interaction to another level by harnessing the power of text messaging, creating t-shirts that "text back".
How it works? A customer picks a personal slogan and a unique keyword, which Reactee prints on an American Apparel t-shirt. The user gets the t-shirt and flaunts it. Anyone interested in knowing more about the slogan or its wearer can text the keyword to 41411, and will get an immediate response as set by the wearer, who also receives a copy of the message including the sender's cellphone number. The response can be updated as often as the user likes, either at reactee.com or on the fly by cellphone. The shirts cost USD 20-27 depending on size and colour, and texting only works with US phones.
Reactee users include individuals who want to connect others to a cause they're passionate about, or who simply want to ignite a response from potential admirers ("Am I hot?"). On a broader scale, organizations like the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas and YouthNoise are using the t-shirts to connect to supporters, as does MC Hammer (who's working on a comeback).
Related, but more one-way: Italian Shyno, which launched two years ago and sells customized t-shirts (EUR 38) with a code that others can SMS to get in touch with the wearer: "All it takes is a simple t-shirt to find out, in complete anonymity, what others think of you."
One to set up locally? Or find other ways to combine text messaging with low-tech objects in order to initiate conversations, sales, romances and other human connections.
Websites: www.reactee.com & www.shyno.com
Contact: information1@reactee.com and service@shyno.com
Spotted by: Channing Hancock & Giulia Cuccolini
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This idea could even be combined with light-emitting textiles as mentioned at http://www.business-idea.com/ShowPosting.asp?id=2223. Anyone interested in knowing more about the slogan could send a SMS, which activates the dynamic message for reply.
I absolutely love this.. so.. so much. I want to see this in the UK!
Mark Bowness
I must say, this is the most troubling idea I've read on springwise. ever. One-off t-shirts that are designed to be printed and worn basically once? Not only do I doubt it will be successful (sorry guys), but it's hardly environmentally friendly. Tell me that the ink washes off and is renewed at reactee for a new tee...
Hi Bryan,
Nooooo! They're worn and used over and over again! We wouldn't "promote" disposable t-shirts :)
The customer picks an enduring slogan or text for the t-shirt, and changes the message that's sent to people when they text the keyword.
Not knowing much about telcos or reactee, I was wondering if someone could tell me who covers the cost of text message response that's sent out to however many people text in the wearers' keyword (including the notification text sent to the wearer)?
The idea is interesting, but it only pulls people further from interacting with one another. Why is it so hard to simply ask a person about their shirt slogan? I love when people speak with me about my shirts. It's called having a conversation and it's not a frightening concept.
Nice comment Peter...but is this a case of technology inserting itself into existing conversational situations or will it create more conversations?
very very innovating and novel nd am hoping ideas like this penetrate Africa nd its environs...will ve more effects on issues that cannot be talked about in public
I am very interested in this idea but am also confused about how to set this up to work using text messaging. Also, who pays for the reply messages that get sent out?
Have you figured it out. I can assist you if you are interested.
Very interesting idea! But what worries me a little bit, I must say... MC Hammer is working on a comeback?!?!
Michael | June 12, 2007 2:02 PM