4.2. Mobile applications (apps)
Museums are just beginning to explore ways to weave in more interactive and social features, like allowing users to recommend specific collections or works of art to their friends. While much emphasis has been placed on apps that expand the experience outside of the museum, there has also been considerable thought on how to use them in-gallery, especially in science museums.
Apps that utilize location awareness, help personalize the experience for the user, providing insight and new information around every corner. Over the past couple of years, museums have primarily seen mobile apps as serving one of two purposes: to provide supplemental information about an exhibit or the museum itself; or as a mobile guide through the collection or gallery space. Both serve as extensions of the physical space; creating
opportunities for people to become patrons no matter where they may be. Musee du Louvre’s free iPhone app is a good example of an app that contains extremely detailed information about many of their exhibits, and includes robust images. Not only is it informative, but it also serves as compelling promotion for people to visit.
Mobile games are increasingly seen as an engaging way to foster learning experiences outside the museum that relate to current exhibits or collections therein.
Examples:
Apps that utilize location awareness, help personalize the experience for the user, providing insight and new information around every corner. Over the past couple of years, museums have primarily seen mobile apps as serving one of two purposes: to provide supplemental information about an exhibit or the museum itself; or as a mobile guide through the collection or gallery space. Both serve as extensions of the physical space; creating
opportunities for people to become patrons no matter where they may be. Musee du Louvre’s free iPhone app is a good example of an app that contains extremely detailed information about many of their exhibits, and includes robust images. Not only is it informative, but it also serves as compelling promotion for people to visit.
Mobile games are increasingly seen as an engaging way to foster learning experiences outside the museum that relate to current exhibits or collections therein.
Examples: