Ducks Partner with Intel on Football “Pocket Avatars”

EUGENE, Ore. -- Keeping true to its reputation as a leader in innovation in college athletics, the University of Oregon has partnered with Intel Corporation to produce an exclusive Oregon Football branded avatar, available in Intel’s Pocket Avatar app, which can be used to communicate with Duck fans on game day or any other time.

Pocket Avatars is a messaging application that offers consumers a unique and fun way to communicate via animated avatars.  Duck Fans will be able to select “Speedy,” an Oregon football player avatar, from a broad selection within the Pocket Avatars app and use the character to record a personalized, 3-D video message, mirroring the users’ facial gestures and voice.  Oregon fans can then send the message to friends, family and fans of the Ducks’ upcoming opponent via text, email, social networks such as Facebook and Twitter, or the Pocket Avatars app itself. 

"We are excited to be on the leading edge of a new technology ready to explode,” said Craig Pintens, Senior Associate Athletic Director. “A special thanks to Intel for thinking of us and allowing us to be their first collegiate partner. We look forward to seeing how creative our fans will get with Pocket Avatars."

Click HERE to play quote from "Speedy"

“We are excited to partner with University of Oregon football on the first NCAA Pocket Avatar,” said Rich Hannah, General Manager of Intel Pocket Avatars. “Oregon recognizes the innovation in the Pocket Avatars technology and are giving Duck Fans a creative, new way to communicate their passion and enthusiasm for the school and sports programs.” 

Pocket Avatars is a free app available for both iOS and Android.  Using a mobile device’s standard camera and microphone, Pocket Avatars captures a user’s facial expressions, head movements and voice and allows people to create, send and receive personalized 3-D video animated messages using avatar characters.  There are more than 60 avatars in the Pocket Avatars app and new characters are introduced regularly. Many avatars are free, like the Oregon Speedy avatar; some require a nominal purchase.  

Intel continues to refine the app with new features and capabilities including new avatars and enhanced facial tracking technology.  The app is available in English in the Unites States, Canada, and 20 countries throughout Europe, Asia and Latin America. 

For more information on Pocket Avatars, download the app from Apple’s App Store or Google Play or visit www.pocketavatars.com.