Blog on Everything Audio Tours

GPS Tour Systems for Public Address Systems Set Up For Local Trolley Company

May 13, 2013 By AudioConexus Leave a Comment

It was great to see our story about writing and producing audio tours and installing GPS tour systems on the front page of the Kingston Whig-Standard this morning. A special thanks to Michael Lea for writing the story, “Global firm sets up in Kingston”

With the official launch of Kingston Trolley Tours happening this week, we’re excited about a prosperous tourism season ahead in Kingston, Ontario. A special thanks goes out to everyone involved in this project, from local historians and architects to the staff at Kingston Trolley Tours. We’ve had a lot of fun digging up a plethora of untold stories – for tourists and locals alike. And we couldn’t have done it without you!

Click here to learn more about our GPS narrated commentary on Kingston Trolley Tours. Thanks!

United States Sees a 3% Increase in Spending by International Travellers in March, 2013

May 8, 2013 By AudioConexus Leave a Comment

The trend continues! International travellers spent “$43 billion on travel to, and tourism-related activities within, the United States” in the first three months of 2013. In March, spending increased by 3% over last year, totalling more than $14.4 billion.

It’s great to see that 2012 was another record-setting year for the United States, and as a result, there is strong job growth in the leisure and hospitality industry.

As growth continues, President Obama’s National Travel and Tourism Strategy is focused on attracting more than 100 million international tourists per year by 2021. This is an ambitious target, and we’re excited about what the future will bring!

Source and Statistics

Click here to learn more about Commerce’s ongoing efforts to promote international travel and tourism.

The Office of Travel and Tourism Industries (OTTI) is responsible for collecting, analyzing, and disseminating international travel and tourism statistics for the United States Travel and Tourism Statistical System. Click here for monthly travel and tourism-related trade data dating back to 1992.

AudioConexus Inc. Tapped to Bring Mobile App and Extended Experience to MythBusters: The Explosive Exhibition

April 30, 2013 By AudioConexus 2 Comments

MythBusters: The Explosive Exhibition uses interactive technology and a hands-on approach which allows guests to explore the world of science using the same methods as the hosts of Discovery Channel’s Emmy-nominated series, MythBusters. In partnership with Exhibits Development Group (EDG) and Geoffrey M. Curley + Associates (GMC+A), AudioConexus Inc. has developed a tour app that takes visitors beyond the Exhibition’s doors and into the world of interactive mythbusting.

Launched in conjunction with the Exhibition’s third stop at the Oregon Museum of Science & Industry in Portland, the partnership allows visitors to further their experience using a new mobile tour app. The app provides access to the largest MythBusters scientific study ever, combining data collected from the various interactive myths.

Results from the app live on the Exhibition’s website, www.mythbusterstheexhibition.com, and provide a platform for guests to further their experience at home through comparing their findings with the greater Exhibition community. The data collected creates the largest sample size ever pulled for the MythBusters team to compare with results from the show.

“This has been an amazing experience and it’s been a privilege to work with EDG, Geoffrey M. Curley + Associates, Discovery Communications and the MythBusters crew,” said Jonathan Stanley, President & CEO of AudioConexus Inc. “They all contributed many hours and expertise to help us create an app that supports fun within the context of the scientific method. This educational mandate was really important to everyone and as a parent I appreciate that MythBusters is opening doors to science and inspiring young minds.”

“Developing an app for MythBusters: The Explosive Exhibition required an intensive creative process to create an engaging interactive mobile experience that not only supports the scientific method, but is part of it”, said Geoffrey Curley, Principal of Geoffrey M. Curley + Associates. “From research and script writing to design and development of the app, AudioConexus was a true collaborator in developing this extended experience for museum guests.”

The Mobile Tour app for MythBusters: The Explosive Exhibition was created in English and Spanish. The Audio Guide Tour App and Device is available for a single rental fee.

MythBusters: The Explosive Exhibition was created by Discovery Communications and Exhibits Development Group (EDG), in partnership with the Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago (MSI) and Geoffrey M. Curley + Associates (GMC+A). MythBusters, the series, is developed and produced by Beyond Entertainment Limited.

About the MythBusters:

MYTHBUSTERS, which first launched on Discovery Channel in 2003, is hosted by Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage, and Tory Belleci, Kari Byron and Grant Imahara. Inspiring a generation to inquire, interact and get involved with science, MYTHBUSTERS uses a signature brand of explosive experimentation to prove or disprove popular myths, misconceptions or legends.

About Discovery Communications:

Discovery Communications is the world’s #1 nonfiction media company reaching more than 1.5 billion cumulative subscribers in 210 countries and territories. Discovery is dedicated to satisfying curiosity through 130-plus worldwide television networks, led by Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Science and Investigation Discovery, as well as US joint venture networks OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network, The Hub and 3net, the first 24-hour 3D network. Discovery also is a leading provider of educational products and services to schools and owns and operates a diversified portfolio of digital media services, including HowStuffWorks.com. For more information, please visit www.discoverycommunications.com.

About AudioConexus:

AudioConexus Inc. (“ACI”) is a leader in providing GPS and handheld audio and multimedia interpretation in the global tourism industry. Providing multilingual entertainment, AudioConexus has produced audio tours in more than 30 languages for premier brands around the world. From the streets of Honolulu to the canals of Amsterdam to the factory floors of Wisconsin — we work with companies to create tour products people love. Founded in 2006, AudioConexus is a global company with partners in North America, Europe, Latin America and Asia.

About Exhibits Development Group (EDG):

EDG is dedicated to the development, production, marketing and distribution of traveling museum exhibitions and cultural projects. EDG also serves as a partner to other exhibition organizers, museums, foundations and collection owners in the U.S. and abroad in the care and stewardship of their exhibitions and collections. EDG’s mission is to initiate and promote international cultural and intellectual exchange by bringing high-quality traveling exhibitions of art, science, and history to broad and diverse audiences. For more information, please visit www.exhibitsdevelopment.com.

About Geoffrey M. Curley + Associates (GMC+A):

GMC+A is an innovative consulting company to support the development and execution of new and vibrant educational, hands-on, minds-on experiences. GMC+A’s goal is to integrate new, cutting-edge technologies, environmental design and emotional storytelling with tantalizing visual audio and tactile experiences making exhibitions more personal artistic, fun, educational and memorable. For more information, please visit www.gmcurley.com.

About Oregon Museum of Science and Industry:

OMSI founded in 1944, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI), the premiere venue, is one of the nation’s leading science museums, a world-class tourist attraction, and an award-winning educational resource for the kid in each of us. www.omsi.edu

Content Integration: One Key To Successful Audio Tour Project

April 25, 2013 By AudioConexus Leave a Comment

One of the keys to a successful project is in your tour’s content integration; that is, how the equipment and content blends together to create an inspirational experience.

This is where our Project Integration Manager comes in. This person has a deep understanding of the importance of technology, experience, and content. This is where we bridge the gap between the application of technology and its creative content so you have a well-tailored fit.

To create engaging audio content, you need an experienced scriptwriter and integration manager to lead you through the process of creating tours, regardless of the technical platform.

Content Integration is Not Formulaic

While we have a creative process, what we create for you is not formulaic in any way. Since every site is highly unique, it’s very important to us that we create the best possible visitor experience for your specific site.

Whether you’re planning to produce your tours in one or many languages, visitor and passenger experience is at the heart of everything we do. This means bringing your stories, objects, exhibits and destinations to life, to create experiences that blend content and technology in more engaging, memorable ways.

For your commentary to be truly captivating, it has to be well integrated into your chosen technical platform. For museums, cultural and historic sites we consider the space and location of visitors, what they see, how they interact, and how your tours impact visitor flow. For sightseeing companies, we consider routes, traffic patterns, and safety.

Content integration is a key aspect of any project.

Audio Tours Require a Collaborative Process

If you’ve participated in the creation of a tour, you understand the importance script writing, sound production, and of time and place.

If you haven’t created a tour, there are a variety of situations we plan for.

This is a collaborative process where we answer your questions regarding the integration of your commentary. We’re responsible for when, where, how, and why content is delivered to your guests at a specific time and place. Whether your audience is in a museum, on a boat, or at home in a living room, we create content that expands beyond the scope of the physical institution, beyond collections, routes and mobile apps.

That’s why content integration requires a well-focused, well-defined plan of how your tours fit into the world. With such a wide range of possibilities, it’s important to us that we bring out your unique voice in a memorable way, where technology and creativity mix together to create fun and entertaining experiences.

If you’re looking to create a linear or random access audio tour or GPS triggered experience than maybe it’s time you contacted AudioConexus. You have amazing stories to share. And we create engaging content that includes integration expertise with a clear purpose: to provide more engaging and participatory visitor experiences.

United States International Spending On Track For Record Setting Year

April 15, 2013 By AudioConexus Leave a Comment

International visitors spending while in the United States increased by 5 per cent over February 2012. The International Trade Administration (ITA) announced that visitors spent an estimated $14.3 billion in February 2013 on travel and tourism related activities.

With a focus to increase the number of international visitors to the United States, the National Travel and Tourism Strategy aims to:

Welcome 100 million visitors by 2021;
Expand promotional efforts to market the U.S. as a travel destination;
Enhance travel within the U.S. by removing institutional barriers;
Provide high quality visitor experiences;
Use technology that provides information and interprets content for non-English speaking visitors;
Create jobs;
Providing high quality research, data and trends.

Click here to learn more about the National Travel and Tourism Strategy.

Audio Guide Alarm – Security for Cultural Venues

April 12, 2013 By AudioConexus Leave a Comment

Audio guide security is an important consideration for museums, cultural attractions and historic sites. To address security issues, we provide an Alarm Loop Controller designed to alert people that audio guides need to be returned before they leave your venue.

This loop controller works with our infrared, RF, and RFID audio guides.

Triggering Audio Guide Alarms at Entrances and Exits

This optional accessory is designed to trigger audio guides in a variety of different ways:

as people pass through an entrance
as people pass through an exit

When someone passes through an exit two things happen. First, the built-in alarm on the audio guide is triggered. When an alarm is triggered, the audio guide beeps (using one of two preset audible alarms). Secondly, the audio guide enters into “locked” mode. This means the audio guide can no longer be used until it is returned to you.

There are two ways you can disable the alarm. One, by using a unique code on the audio guide’s keypad, or two, by placing the audio guide back into its charger. When the audio guide is returned to your charging station, the station disables the audio guide’s locked mode.

Trigger Audio Guides in Rooms and Hallways

The Loop Controller also has additional features. You can turn “on” or “off” all audio guides within range, making distribution easier. To trigger audio guides in rooms or hallways, we use a single loop antenna wire connected to a loop controller. This allows you to automatically turn your audio guides on or off.

For more information on our audio guide alarm systems please contact us. We’re here to answer your questions.

GPS Tour Systems – Introducing Our Rugged Case

April 4, 2013 By AudioConexus Leave a Comment

Introducing a new portable case for our GPS Tour Systems. We’ve taken our TriggerPOINT cases (portable multilingual commentary systems), and made them for our smaller single language systems with optional GPS and Driver Control Panels.

GPS Tour Systems: Portability and Protection.

We’ve taken every detail into consideration to make this case and system very easy to move around. With color-coded cables and connections this rugged case is plug and play. There are three connections that are required to operate the commentary system:

An optional GPS receiver (color coded) with optional “magnetic” mount;
An optional Driver Control Panel for manual operation of the system which includes play, pause and stop features (color coded);
And Power (a simple Cigarette Lighter Input Cable ROHS compliant) Optionally, power is easily hardwired.

Highly portable and durable, this case offers protection from the most rugged environments. The case offers heat, dust, sand, and water protection and is easily (and quickly) moved from bus to bus (or boat to boat). These systems are designed for sightseeing operators that need GPS tour systems to move to meet the daily demands of their operation.

Multilingual Tour Commentary System Architecture

March 28, 2013 By AudioConexus Leave a Comment

The purpose of multilingual tour commentary is to attract new customers, reduce costs and grow businesses.

You know that providing multilingual tours will provide better customer experiences.

And you definitely know the make or break importance of creating great tours.

So… how do you structure your commentary to be engaging and memorable?

The most complex part of any GPS multilingual tour commentary project is your ‘Tour Architecture‘. It’s also the hardest to understand.

This is because it’s much easier to understand multi-channel commentary systems. This equipment includes a list of features and manuals for operation. You don’t need to understand how it works, just that it works reliably.

The same goes for experience. Audio tours are also easier to understand because we break down the creative process. And grasping the importance of a good story isn’t difficult. We mutually want entertaining, engaging, memorable audio tours.

But what’s the value of the “Tour Architecture” that binds these two things together – equipment to audio? Don’t you just put them together and they work? The answer of course is, no.

Bridging the Gap Between Technology and Creative

Think of putting an artist in a room with an analytical engineer and asking them to work together on a new logistics project. They’ll work together to achieve your stated outcome but they’ll be coming into your project from two very different worlds.

So how do you get technical and creative people to work together efficiently?

Wouldn’t you suggest getting an interpreter, ideally someone who is analytical but has an appreciation of creative? Someone who is able to bridge the gap, understanding the needs of both people?

The is why having a Project Manager is so important. This person has a deep understanding of the importance of “tour architecture and passenger experience.”

This person ensures a technical and creative “fit” and is responsible for when and how GPS commentary is delivered. This includes tour timing, traffic flow, and GPS location. And how GPS waypoints best mesh with audio tour commentaries (this allows writers to develop engaging memorable stories).

Building a Successful Multilingual Tour Commentary Project

You need a person who invests the right amount of time in building Tour Architectures that lead to successful project outcomes. This is why you want a Project Manager who has the experience and expertise to bridge the gap between technical and creative.

You have amazing stories to share. And the equipment is great. So, build the architecture required to deliver your experience. This starts with a well timed route, followed by the when and where to position GPS points so that your multilingual tour commentary is delivered effectively despite the ebb and flow of traffic in your destination.

How To Program Audio Guides RFID Using a Tag Writer

March 22, 2013 By Ken Creelman Leave a Comment

Audio Guides: How to Program RFID Tags

In recent posts, we’ve introduced you to auto-play audio guides and our optional audio guide RFID. Since then, we’ve had great feedback. But we do get a common question which is “How do we program the Radio-frequency identification (“RFID”) cards?” There’s no buttons, switches, or batteries.

Introducing the audio guide RFID Writer. This is a cradle designed to hold and interact with RFID cards while connected to a computer. This audio guide cradle allows you to read the “current card” (RFID Tag) so you can see its identification number.

An identification number is an audio file that you’d like to play when a RFID tag is swiped using an audio guide. For example, RFID tag #0012 corresponds to tour stop 12 on your tour.

Changing RFID Tags And Your Audio Tours

Any programmed RFID tag can be reprogrammed to suit your needs. What this means is, RFID tags in the cards can be changed as many times as you like without the need to purchase additional cards.

Writing RFID Tags For Your Audio Guides

To make the RFID Writer as easy to use as possible, we have a few unique options. The first of these is “Auto-Write”. Auto-Write allows the current programming to be written to any RFID cards that come near to the card writer. Where normally you would place a card in the Tag Writer cradle and click “Write” using the computer software, now you only need to swipe the RFID card near the writer to have it programmed.

The second feature is “S/N +1”. The “S/N” represents the audio track you want to trigger on your audio guides. The +1 means that you can swipe multiple cards using the reader. For each card swiped, the Tag Writer adds 1.

When “S/N +1” is activated with a start “S/N” of 001:

The first programmed card will trigger track 001. The second programmed card will trigger track 002. The third programmed card will trigger track 003 and so on.

As you can imagine, using this feature makes your work efficient. After one round of practice, I programmed 10 RFID cards, numbering from track 001 to 010 in just over 10 seconds (smile).

If you’re planning on using RFID systems for your museum, attraction or historic site, the RFID Writer is invaluable as a time saver. Learn more about our audio guides with RFID, click here.

Audio Guides – A New Comparison Chart

March 19, 2013 By AudioConexus Leave a Comment

View Our New Audio Guide Comparison Chart

With automated audio guides you have a variety of features to choose from.

To make this easier to understand, we’ve included a new audio guide comparison chart on our website.

Like traditional museum audio guides, these guides provide push button play features. They also support three auto-play options which means your audio tours will play automatically for visitors at selected points of interest. Auto-play means there are no buttons to push – making it easy to visitors to experience your tours based on their preferences and pace.

Auto-Play Audio Guide Trigger Types

Infrared triggers
RF Triggers
RFID Triggers

This comparison chart will assist you by providing a brief summary of each audio guide and its features. Click here to review the audio guide comparison.