While museums have long rented out specialized handsets to take the place of live guides, mobile phones may supplant them as the preferred device for museum goers. Already it is not uncommon to see museum goers using their mobile phones to take pictures of displays and art work, audio tours that you dial up on your phone may become more and more common. Although using
mobile phones for audio tours is nothing new, I find that most people I mention this to are unaware of this potential mobile phone usage.
Furthermore, the flexibility offered by mobile phones allow these audio tours to be used in untraditional ways. For example, rather than just touring a museum mobile phones allow individuals to explore a city, such as the
constitutional walking tour of philidelphia, or to go on a
nature walk in Portland, Oregon. Best of all at the end of the tour you just hang up with no device to return!
I've heard of other devices, such as the ipod, that also have audio tours designed for them. I think these tours have much less potential due to the limited interactivity that they offer. "If you know you party's extension you can enter it now. If you do not, please select from the following options..." Thats right. The same technology that is the bane of our existance by forcing us to interact with computerized receptionists can also be used for something a little more fun.
Labels: cellphone, learning, mobile phone
