If you’re like me, then you still have a few holiday gifts that remain – shall we say – “unselected.”  At this point, it’s cutting it too close to go the usual online shopping route, so physically traveling to the store (and braving the holiday masses) might be necessary… *shiver*.

Photo courtesy of REUTERS

Fortunately, I have found the perfect last minute solution for those precious few lingering on my “to buy” list: donating a sOccket in their honor to a child in need.

This holiday season – this time of warmth and joy – spread your festive light a little further by giving a sOccket ball and lamp (or two! or three!) to someone less fortunate. It will make you feel even more warm and fuzzy than that pair of wool socks you get every year from Aunt Mildred. Trust me

Happiest returns of the holiday season to sOccketeers everywhere, and best wishes for a happy, healthy, and FUN new year.

Thanks so much for your support.

Yours, as ever - Julia & the Uncharted Play team

This community on the outskirts of Guadalajara, Mexico will eventually be home to900 sOcckets that will be distributed over the next year. As part of our preparation forthis large scale distribution, a few members of the Uncharted Play team were fortunateenough to travel to Guadalajara and introduce the sOccket to this community. During ourtime exploring the area and walking through its unpaved streets, lined by bare cementhouses and jerry-rigged power lines, we discovered what really ties this communitytogether — children and the power of play.

Today, the Uncharted Play Team joins the world in mourning the loss of Steve Jobs, the visionary co-founder of Apple, Inc. While Jobs will certainly be remembered for a slew of entrepreneurial and innovative achievements garnered during his short 56 years, I admire him most for his critical role in defining the necessity for both form and function in everything we consume.

Jobs believed in the elegance of a product—-in its ability to be both useful and beautiful. Function alone was not enough, as the design was the “soul” of the creation. Before Jobs rejoined Apple in 1997, people across the world had lost sight of the value encompassed in the shape of things, focusing only on the “what can it do?” question. Growing up in the IEverything era, the UP team was fortunate to have been exposed to Apple’s products at a young enough age that the dual importance of form and function became our status quo. This mindset influences how we approach different global issues, and is a key factor in why we insist that the beautiful form of soccer is as equally important as the function of our kinetic energy generator, combined to create the sOccket.

The world may have lost a visionary, but Steve Job’s vision is far from over. We, at Uncharted Play, definitely intend to keep “kicking” it along, and we look forward to seeing the continued affect his life had on our generation.

“In most people’s vocabularies, design means veneer. It’s interior decorating. It’s the fabric of the curtains of the sofa. But to me, nothing could be further from the meaning of design. Design is the fundamental soul of a human-made creation that ends up expressing itself in successive outer layers of the product or service.” – Steve Jobs

Keep sharing the passion,

Jess

Hey sOccketeers,

We’ve already shared a few details about our first mass-produced ball (see the blog post), but we’ve saved the best information for now! See below for the complete list of the new sOccket’s features:

1. 12 panels made of a durable, bouncy foam material
2. Water-resistant — rain or shine, the sOccket power can’t be stopped
3. Cannot “deflate”
4. 95% recyclable
5. 6 ounces heavier than a normal size 5 soccer ball
6. Powers a Water Sterilizer, Fan, and up to 24 hours of LED Light

How It Works: G-Kick Technology

G-Kick technology takes advantage of the kinetic energy when a person kicks the ball. The energy from the rolling motion of the ball is then captured using a permanent magnet DC generator. This is done using a number of gimbals and weights designed to keep the center of the power generator in perpendicular to the horizon. As the ball rolls, the internal “balancing act” generates power for small electrical appliances.

Play to Power Breakdown: 30 minutes of play = 3 hours of Powerful LED Light!

Get One

Limited Edition “First-Run” sOcckets will be auctioned for charity beginning September 15, 2011. Learn More.

Come See sOccket In Action!

You never know when the sOccket Team will be in a town near you! Check out our Upcoming Events list for the latest information.

Each side of the ball will be hand-painted with one inventor’s design, inspired by her individual experience in developing the sOccket. The inventors will also sign below their designs.

100% of the net proceeds of this auction will go toward the production and shipping of donated sOcckets. This means that for every $50 increment bid on the sOccket, one sOccket will be donated to a child in need. Winners of the auction will also be given a chance to suggest where in the world their donated sOcckets should be sent!

Don’t Miss Your Chance To Share The Passion
Buy One. Give Many.

# of sOcckets Available: 25

Auction Begins: September 15 at 8:30 p.m. EST

Auction Ends: September 21 at 8:30 p.m. EST

Access Auction: www.soccketauction.com

Terms:
Resale of won sOccket(s) via retail channels is prohibited.
All auction winners will receive an official socket wrist sweatband within six (6) weeks of winning the auction.
All auction winners will receive their limited edition First-Run sOccket on or before December 15, 2011.

The sOccket Team is always on the move. Here’s where we’ll be next:

9/16: Millenium Campus Conference 2011; Boston, MA

9/23: Official sOccket Launch Exhibit; New York, NY — sOcckets will be available for pre-order!

9/24: Student Social Entrepreneurship Conference at Horace Mann; New York, NY

9/24: Upper 90 + sOccket Showcase; Brooklyn, NY

10/1: Ignite Innovation Summit; Cambridge, MA

10/1 – 10/2: College Fest; Boston, MA

Need more information? Email info@soccket.com to learn more about how you can attend one of the above events.

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Hey sOccketeers,

It is with great pride and excitement that I announce the official release of the first mass-produced sOccket!

Until now, sOcckets were made by hand, had a rough-terrain lifespan of a few months or less, and could only power a small LED lamp for a few hours. They were prototypes—a tangible concept of what could be, but without the execution.

First Look at New sOccket

While the Uncharted Play team will never be satisfied (we’re currently working on an even better version 2.0), our first mass-produced sOccket allows us to finally begin to properly fulfill the sOccket mission on a global level, bringing universal happiness and hope for a better life and a better tomorrow. We already have 2500 sOcckets confirmed for distribution in Mexico, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Nigeria, and Haiti, and we’re aiming for 10,000 by the end of the year.

The Details

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be releasing more information and photos of the new ball, but here’s what we can share now:

1. The sOccket has 12 panels made of a durable, bouncy foam material
2. The sOccket is water-resistant — rain or shine, the sOccket power can’t be stopped
3. The sOccket can’t “deflate”

Allow me to elaborate. One of the biggest obstacles for sport for development initiatives is the durability of sports balls, specifically soccer balls. Within weeks (if not days), the pins required for inflation are lost or broken. Within months, the balls are often punctured or ripped to pieces. In the end, there are more balls in landfills than in the hands of people who really need them.  So when we designed our mass-produced sOccket, we wanted to make sure it would make a lasting difference. We got rid of the pins and leather, and replaced them with material that can last for years. That’s right. YEARS.

But that’s not all that we’re excited about. Stay tuned to our blog to learn more about the ball and our upcoming launch events.

Want to see the sOccket in action?

Visit us at our official sOccket Launch Exhibit in New York City on September 23, 2011.

Want a sOccket?

sOcckets will be available for pre-sale at the Pop-Up Exhibit on 9/23. You’ll also have your chance to get a sOccket via a series of auctions beginning on September 15. Learn more.

Keep sharing the passion,

Jessica

Limited Edition Auction

Starting on September 15^th, a limited number of “First-Run” sOcckets will be available via a series of online auctions. Each auction will feature a unique version of the First-Run sOcckets. 100% of the net proceeds from the auction will be donated to resource-poor communities around the world. This means that for every $50 increment bid, a sOccket will be donated to a child in need. Click here for information on how you can participate in the current auction.

Join our Mailing List to receive the latest information on the auctions and exclusive details on the new ball.

Limited Edition

The First-Run sOccket represents a huge milestone in the sOccket movement. Made from materials used during the first ever mass-production of sOcckets, it symbolizes real progress in our mission for universal happiness and hope for a better life and a better tomorrow.

Every First-Run sOccket comes with an official wrist sweatband to commemorate your role in the movement. In addition, each auction will feature a unique subset of the First-Run sOcckets, signed and designed by friends of sOccket.

sOccket Features

• 95% Recyclable Materials
• “Undeflatable”
• 5-15 Year Lifespan
• Water Resistant
• Powers Water Sterilizer, Fan, and Up To 24 Hours of LED Light

sOccket In Action

Over 2500 sOcckets are already confirmed for distribution across Central America, Africa and the Caribbean. sOcckets will be donated to schools, community centers, and hospitals in resource-poor communities. With your help, we aim to reach 10,000 sOcckets by the end of 2011.

Share The Passion

Help us inspire the global population while addressing real issues in resource-poor communities. Buy One. Give Many. Learn more about our current auction.

The sOccket Team is expanding as we gear up for the launch of our mass-produced ball. There will be more job opportunities to come, but right now I am very excited to announce the start of our Play For The Future Associate Program! If you’re a college student or recent grad in NYC interested in social enterprise, this program will change your life. I promise.

See below for the program description, and stay tuned to sOccket.com over the next few weeks for the latest details on our launch!

Keep sharing the passion,

Jessica

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Play For The Future – Associate Program

Uncharted Play is currently seeking interns to fill positions available in our Play for The Future Associate Program. All associates will be working on UP Inc.’s flagship award-winning product, sOccket: a soccer ball that harnesses the energy from play and stores it like a portable generator that can power small electrical appliances critical in the developing world. Learn more about sOccket: www.soccket.com.

As an associate, you will be immersed into the world of start-up social enterprises—gaining invaluable experience in both general business and the industry of doing good. Throughout the program, you will work directly with the CEO of Uncharted Play on meaningful projects that will help guide your career. During the first 6 weeks of the program, you will work with each department of the company, allowing you the opportunity to learn more about the various facets of social enterprise. In particular, you will work with the following departments:

• Sales & Business Development
• Marketing & Brand Development
• Product Design & Manufacturing
• Social Development

The last 6 weeks of the program will be more focused, defined by your interests in pursuing more projects within one department.

In addition to your departmental projects, approximately 30% of your time will be spent on the following daily tasks:

• Blogging
• Social Media Community Management
• Customer Support

The Play For The Future Associate Program is virtual, with a general base in New York City for bi-weekly meetings and events. Scheduling is flexible, with a minimum of 10 hours per week required.

Compensation: Course-Credit

Perks:

• Exclusive event access
• International & Domestic Travel Experiences
• Associate/Social Outings (It’s a play company, after all)
• Future Growth in Company

Upon completion of the program, associates chosen to continue their internship with Uncharted Play will be paid a weekly stipend. Candidates working toward a degree will be considered for full-time employment after graduation. Approximately 50% of all associates will be made offers for full-time employment.

What we’re looking for in an Associate:

• Broad Interest in Social Enterprise
• Entrepreneurial Spirit
• Go-Getter Attitude
• Ability to Adapt to Changing Situations
• Ability to Multi-Task
• Fast Learner
• Working Knowledge of Languages Other Than English

In you are interested in becoming an associate in our Play For The Future program, please email your cover letter and resume to info@soccket.com com with “Play For The Future Candidate” in the subject line. You will be contacted within 7 business days on the status of your application.

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About Uncharted Play

Uncharted Play, Inc. is a zero-profit social enterprise venturing into “uncharted” territory in its focused development of fun products that address real-world problems. OUR MISSION:  Encourage people around the world to rethink the purpose of play and keep joy at the forefront of their lives.

Life is short. Play more.

www.unchartedplay.com