Zwinkies are customizable social avatars that are part of the MyWeb Searchbar on computers running Windows. A user creates a non-animated cardboard cutout-like character (a Zwinky) to represent himself or herself in any networking site or blog that supports Zwinkies. When users change the appearance of said Zwinkies, all sites in which that avatar is currently displayed will update accordingly.

Zwinky is currently advertised on social networking sites such as MySpace, along with television shows and networks which target young audiences. It is owned by IAC Search and Media and launched in June 2006.

Contents 1 Side effects and Spyware 2 Zwinky features 2.1 Zwinktopia 2.2 Zwinky Chat Rooms 2.3 Zwinchester Mall/Z-Lux Boutiques 2.4 Events in Zwinky 2.5 Zwinky Cuties 2.6 Facebook connect 3 Artists 4 Movie Promotions 5 References 6 External links

[edit] Side effects and Spyware

Zwinky adds the MyWeb Searchbar to the following applications: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Outlook, Outlook Express, AOL 9.0 Email and Browser, Becky!, IncrediMail, MSN Dial-up Service, AOL Instant Messenger, Google Talk, ICQ, MSN Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger, and Windows Live Messenger.^[1]

Once Zwinky is installed, the MyWeb Searchbar runs on startup. When users attempt to visit nonexistent pages, the software redirects them to search.mywebsearch.com. MyWeb Searchbar has been included on lists of known spyware.^[2] A review from McAfee SiteAdvisor of the Zwinky website states, "In our tests, this site promoted downloads that some people consider adware, spyware or other potentially unwanted programs." There are also many user review complaints about the spyware that the Zwinky website supports.^[3]

This article is written like an advertisement. Please help rewrite this article from a neutral point of view. For blatant advertising that would require a fundamental rewrite to become encyclopedic, use {{db-spam}} to mark for speedy deletion.

[edit] Zwinky features

[edit] Zwinktopia

On April 29, 2007, "Zwinktopia" was launched. The most prominent feature is a persistent world for Zwinky avatars to inhabit. Within this world, Zwinkies can purchase dormitories to live in and decorate using items purchased with Zbucks, the currency used in the virtual world, or a Zcard, a debit card. Zbucks can be earned by visiting areas and playing games within Zwinktopia, and by inviting friends to create their own Zwinkies. Zbucks can also be added to Zcards using PayPal or a major credit card. The virtual world includes many mini-games, and many brands that would appeal to tweens and teens.

[edit] Zwinky Chat Rooms

There are various chat rooms in Zwinktopia, including: The End Zone, The Omegaaad, The Dungeon, The Abacus, Graveyard, ZSU, ZSI, Beach, Underwater, Park, Stage Z, The Colozeeum, Splash, Zarcadia, ZeePlex, Kingpin Korner, Zwinchester Mall, Lexi Hall, Bus Stop, Java Jolt, The Caf, Heaven, and Hell and new area Zlux.

[edit] Zwinchester Mall/Z-Lux Boutiques

Boutiques in the Zwinchester mall is the place Zwinkies like to shop. There are 11 boutiques in the Zwinchester Mall. The following stores are: The Castle, University Club, Like Dat, The lair, The Surf Shop, Z's Greetings, Z Avenue, Shoebuy, Rocawear, Z-Loft, and HodgePodge. There are 2 virtual fast food restruants for hangouts like Z's Burgers, Z's Pizza. There are seasonal boutiques over time for Christmas (ZaLalala (2007)/Deck The Halls (2008)) , Halloween (House of Boos (2007), The Skeleton's Closet (2008), Boo-tique (2009)), the bootique (2009), and Valentine's Day (XOXO (2008), Red (2009)). The former boutique was The Rock Vault in which it was closed in March 2009, and there was a boutique called Sears for the "Arrive" promotion.

3 new boutiques arrived in Zwinktopia, in the Z-lux mall. The special boutiques are Snoop Dogg, Paris Hilton and T-Pain

[edit] Events in Zwinky

Over time in Zwinky, Zwinky hosts events like Prom, Halloween Parties, Winter Wonderland, New Year's Eve festivities, Valentine's Day parties, Sears Arrive event at Lexi Hall, Zwinky's Birthday, Beach Parties, Medieval Days and other events.

[edit] Zwinky Cuties

In September 2008 IAC launched another Zwinky site called Zwinky Cuties. Zwinky Cuties targets girls ages 6 and up. The site operates like Zwinkies, but controls user chat by only allowing communication through a set of pre-approved words and phrases.^[4]

[edit] Facebook connect

In September 2009, Zwinky partnered with Facebook to introduce Facebook Connect. This feature connects his/her Zwinky account to his/her Facebook account in which Zwinkies post their Zwinky avatar to the Facebook wall, and to recruit their Facebook friends to join Zwinky. Zwinkies also check their friends' list to see if they're connected with Facebook.

[edit] Artists

These artists and bands have a featured profile in Zwinky.

• The Clash
• The Ramones
• Slipknot
• Nickelback
• Sex Pistols
• Kelly Rowland
• Teddy Geiger
• Scott Ian
• Lil' Mama
• Jordan McCoy
• 50 Cent
• Aly & Fila
• Jason Fox
• Chris Brown
• Jordin Sparks
• Hinder
• Crash Romeo

[edit] Movie Promotions

Zwinky has also promoted some movies at the Zeeplex Movie Theater in Zwinktopia. These movie promotion activities however were only available while the movies were still shown in theaters or available for DVD purchases.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• YouTube video of ad
• "Zwinky Party" - second ad featuring Lil Mama and Jason Fox
• Zwinky website
• Zwinky Blog
• Zwinky via Twitter