Egyptians’ Voices via Twitter Thanks to Google

Posted by Jeff on February 1, 2011
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As the world watches history in progress in Egypt, here is an example of how technology can facilitate the voices of the people in Egypt. Twitter messages have played important roles in a variety of political and human rights issues around the globe. Let us all hope for a peaceful outcome and that the Egyptians are heard.

Employees of new Google Aquisition SayNow built an application that converts voicemails into tweets. By dialing one of several international phone numbers, Egyptians can tweet via voicemail message or listen to other people’s “tweets.” The messages are posted with hashtag #egypt.

You can view the messages in real time here.

According to NPR:

Google engineers did some work over the weekend creating a service that allows Egyptians to call a number, leave a message and it automatically gets translated into a tweet.

Last Saturday, though, the government also forced some mobile phone companies off the grid.

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Comments

  1. #1 dean
    February 2, 2011

    Let us all hope for a peaceful outcome and that the Egyptians are heard.

    Agreed. Sadly, the “peaceful outcome” part is seeming less likely today, with the clashes between groups in Cairo and now the government now ordering everyone out of the downtown area.

  2. #2 Dini Sohbet
    February 2, 2011

    Thnk You…Employees of new Google Aquisition SayNow built an application that converts voicemails into tweets. By dialing one of several international phone numbers, Egyptians can tweet via voicemail message or listen to other people’s “tweets.” The messages are posted with hashtag

  3. #3 orjin krem
    February 3, 2011

    Agreed. Sadly, the “peaceful outcome” part is seeming less likely today, with the clashes between groups in Cairo and now the government now ordering everyone out of the downtown area.

  4. #4 Sassy
    February 3, 2011

    Interesting blog. It would be great if you can provide more details about it. Thanks you

  5. #5 Cinz-Steam Chic
    February 4, 2011

    Wow this is just really sad.. And to think that humans consider themselves an advanced race. Sigh. Good on Google for creating that service.. it’s just not right for Egyptians to be cut off from the rest of the world, especially now..

  6. #6 g bruno
    February 8, 2011

    old twitter (last week) was way better than new twitter (yesterday)
    Old twitter showed hundreds of tweets per minute on #egypt
    New Twitter persists with a dumb joke.
    Co-incidence that a revolution was in play?

  7. #7 steamers
    August 2, 2011

    Thnk You…Employees of new Google Aquisition SayNow built an application that converts voicemails into tweets. By dialing one of several international phone numbers, Egyptians can tweet via voicemail message or listen to other people’s “tweets.” The messages are posted with hashtag thanks

  8. #8 carpet steam cleaner
    August 9, 2011

    Wow this is just really sad.. And to think that humans consider themselves an advanced race. Sigh. Good on Google for creating that service.. it’s just not right for Egyptians to be cut off from the rest of the world, especially now..

  9. #9 ocala florida real estate
    August 9, 2011

    Twitter is not just a tiny tweeting bird it’s more like a roaring lion.