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Alas, the grand irony is that I was typing that response on a "smart"
phone and accidentally sent it before I was anywhere near finished.
Call me ol' Clumsy Thumbs. I was intending to input something
constructive, thus, returning to the larger keyboard:
Offering downloadable MP3s is an easy and widely accessible plan B
for self-guided audio tours. And for those visitors for whom
downloading MP3s is also not an option, gum-pack-sized multi-gigabyte
MP3 players come cheap cheap in bulk now. Thoroughly test the
tactilty and interface of any given audio device before committing,
as some can be far more stupid than even my not-so-smart phone.
I am a fan of do-it-yourself audio tours, and think there's a lot of
room for creativity on the one hand, and building membership on the
other, but, on the ground, I mostly worry about my battery losing
charge, especially when I'm out-of-town and not planning on getting
back to my hotel room for a while.
Point being that thought is worth giving, from an operations and
possibly visitor experience point-of-view, towards a plan for
recharging.
--Jason
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JasonJayStevens
JasonJayStevensStudio
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On Nov 18, 2009, at 3:48 PM, Jason Jay Stevens wrote:
> Speaking for the android, palm, and other mobile os users who enjoy
> museum audio tours, talk of iPhone apps smacks of exclusivity.
>
> Rebekah Stendahl <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
>> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology
>> Centers
>> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
>> institutions.
>> *********************************************************************
>> ********
>>
>>
>>
>> We recently created a video mobile tour that can be downloaded to an
>> iPod or other mobile device. We don't rent any of these devices out,
>> nor do we have stations for people to use download their own content
>> when they arrive. We promote the tour on our visit planning sites
>> and
>> to tour and school groups before they visit. During testing we
>> did use
>> the iPod touch. This device was popular but some older users did
>> have
>> trouble figuring out the buttons.
>>
>> www.museummobile.info <http://www.museummobile.info/> might be a
>> helpful resource for you
>>
>>
>>
>> We worked with a production company, Untravel Media. They helped
>> us do a
>> lot of research on devices and distribution.
>> http://www.untravelmedia.com/ <http://www.untravelmedia.com/>
>>
>>
>>
>> We also temporarily used a call-in option through a company called
>> Guide
>> by Cell, but since our tour was designed as a video the audio-only
>> really didn't work well for us. http://www.guidebycell.com/
>> <http://www.guidebycell.com/>
>>
>>
>>
>> Also, I believe the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston uses
>> iPods
>> that people can check out.
>> http://www.icaboston.org/gofurther/mp3-tours/
>> <http://www.icaboston.org/gofurther/mp3-tours/> for their audio only
>> tours.
>>
>>
>>
>> Good luck!
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Rebekah Stendahl
>>
>> Manager of Education Programs
>>
>> New England Aquarium
>>
>> Central Wharf
>>
>> Boston, MA 02110
>>
>> 617-973-6580
>>
>> 617-226-2149 family programs
>>
>> 617-973-0251 fax
>>
>> [log in to unmask]
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> *********************************************************************
>> **
>> For information about the Association of Science-Technology
>> Centers and the Informal Science Education Network please visit
>> www.astc.org.
>>
>> Check out the latest case studies and reviews on ExhibitFiles at
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For information about the Association of Science-Technology Centers and the Informal Science Education Network please visit www.astc.org.
Check out the latest case studies and reviews on ExhibitFiles at www.exhibitfiles.org.
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