The Canadian Museum of Civilization (CMC) has become the first museum in Canada, and one of the first in the world, to provide access to its audioguides and other Museum information through the iPhone and iPod Touch. The CMC Mobile Application, developed in partnership with Tristan Interactive of Ottawa, is now available for free from iTunes App Store in both official languages.
Owners of these popular handheld devices can use the mobile application to obtain one-stop access to Museum information from anywhere in the world. Users can plan a visit to the Museum by accessing interactive floor maps, a calendar of events and information about hours of operation, admission fees and public services.
“We are delighted to be the first museum in Canada to provide this cutting-edge and convenient technology to the public,” said Dr. Victor Rabinovitch, President and CEO of the Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation. “This is one more way of bringing the Museum, its exhibitions and programs, to people across Canada and throughout the world. It is a perfect extension of our information-packed website.”
In addition to automatic updates on new Museum programs and exhibitions, two audioguides, previously accessible only on Museum-supplied headsets, are also available on these personal handheld devices. Visitors can now use their mobile devices to listen to the Canada Hall and the First Peoples 40-minute audioguides, the Museum’s largest and most visited exhibition galleries.
“Tristan’s proprietary platform, Autour, allows museums to build rich, interactive applications for mobile devices,” said Chris McLaren, CEO of Tristan Interactive. “We are very proud to be able to help the Canadian Museum of Civilization bring Canada’s history and culture to life through this exciting technology.”
Initially, the application will run exclusively on the iPhone and iPod Touch. It will be downloadable from iTunes App Store through any personal computer or directly to the handheld device within the Museum’s Lobby or Voyageur cafeteria, now equipped with WiFi access. The Museum hopes to expand this public service in the future by adding more content and providing access through other mobile devices.
The Canadian Museum of Civilization is the centre for research and public information on the social and human history of the country. Located on the shores of the Ottawa River in Gatineau, Quebec, the Museum is Canada’s largest and most popular cultural institution, attracting over 1.3 million visitors each year. The Museum of Civilization’s principal role is to preserve and promote the heritage of Canada for present and future generations, thereby contributing to the promotion and enhancement of Canadian identity.
