A number of museums are experimenting with the use of iPads and other tablets as in-gallery resources that either extend the exhibit or add ways for visitors to explore the concepts on display in more depth.

Apps that highlight aspects of museums’ collections or upcoming exhibitions are increasingly being seen as a way to generate interest — and visits. The Museum of Modern Art, for example, has created an app that allows users to find out about current and upcoming exhibitions, film schedules, and program dates, plan a tour, or browse or search the thousands of art works in the collection.

Another use of these applications we can find in the integration of iPads in the galleries and in the exhibition environment. The devices support applications specifically developed by the museum or deliver content provided by the museum to enable visitors to further explore the topics related to the collections, the building and the objects on display. iPads are located in specific areas of the exhibition environment and offer a free-choice opportunity to engage with collections and temporary exhibitions. Their installation for example can take the form of digital labels: iPads are generally located near the objects on display they refer to - they can be used either to replace traditional printed labels or to integrate them, providing additional multimedia content. They can be used to allow a certain degree of interaction, too.