This document proposes a participatory storytelling platform triggered by physical Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacon objects. The platform would allow anyone with the free app to access curated stories. Different story patterns are suggested, including stories told from different character perspectives or clues leading to the next location. BLE beacons can create contextual digital experiences by transmitting data to nearby devices. The possibilities for expression through a network of beacons are discussed, and the infrastructure could start with just a few fixed locations. In conclusion, as beacons become ubiquitous, they could have interesting stories to share.

1. “Doing It in Public”: Storytelling and BLEs
OVERVIEW
1
I. PARTICIPATORY STORYTELLING PLATFORM
II. STORY PATTERNS
II. WHAT IS BLUETOOTH LE (BLE)?
IV. EXPRESSIVE POSSIBILITIES FOR TECH
V. BEACON INFRASTRUCTURE
VI. FINAL THOUGHTS
LE

2. 2
Storytelling platform
OUR CONCEPT
We want to create a participatory storytelling
platform triggered by physical objects.
“ONCE UPON
A TIME...”

3. 3
Storytelling platform
OUR CONCEPT
transferablepublicly
accessible
scalable
expandablecurated customized
START WITH A FEW BEACONS
IN ONE AREA, THE ADD MORE
BEACONS AND/OR MORE AREAS
OTHER CITIES CAN ADOPT
THE IDEA FOR THE PLATFORM
ANYONE WITH THE FREE APP
CAN ACCESS THE STORIES
ADD MORE AUTHORS OR MORE
CHAPTERS ON ANY GIVEN
EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE
TALENTED WRITERS ARE
INVITED TO PARTICIPATE
OR SUBMIT IDEAS
INTERACTION DESIGN IS
CUSTOMIZED TO EACH STORY

4. 4
Story patterns
STORYTELLING PLATFORM
BLIND MAN’S ELEPHANT
EVENT
THE MALTESE FALCON
EACH BEACON = a character with a unique/biased/
partial point of view about an event
EACH BEACON = location of an inanimate object in the
possession of a series of characters

5. 5
Story patterns
STORYTELLING PLATFORM
EACH BEACON = an overheard conversation EACH BEACON = two stories told by two different
characters about the same place
PARALLELTHE LINKLATER

6. SCAVENGER HUNT
?
EACH BEACON = a clue to the location of the next
story node
?
?
?
?
EACH BEACON = the object itself tells the story
ANTHROPOMORPHIC OBJECTS
6
Story patterns
STORYTELLING PLATFORM

7. Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) devices
transmit small packets of data which
alert enabled devices nearby.
7
A proximity technology
MEDIUM
NEAR
FAR
I’M FAR
FROM YOU.
WASSUP?!
BLUETOOTH LE (BLE)
YO!

8. 8
We can create contextual digital
experiences based on nearby
physical objects.
What are its possibilities?
WASSUP?!
BLUETOOTH LE (BLE)
YO! YO!

9. OMNISCIENCE
1
The desire to
know all
TELEPATHY
2
The desire for
human connection
SAFEKEEPING
3
To protect and
to be protected
IMMORTALITY
4
To be healthy
and vital
TELEPORTATION
5
To move
effortlessly
EXPRESSION
6
To create, make
and play
David Rose
PRODUCT DESIGNER,
SERIAL ENTREPRENEUR,
MIT MEDIA LAB RESEARCHER
9
What are its possibilities?
BLUETOOTH LE (BLE)

10. 10
Beacon infrastructure
STORYTELLING PLATFORM
A storytelling platform
can be created with as
few as 5 fixed locations

11. 11
Final thoughts
STORYTELLING PLATFORM
Soon these Beacons will be
everywhere—ubiquitous.
Wouldn’t you rather they have
something interesting to say?