Gerhard SINDELAR
(beyondarts Gmbh, Klosterneuburg, Austria)

Keywords: apps, marketing tool, interactiv 360°VR

Abstract:
Smartphones fundamentally change the behaviour of users. As a result new formats have appeared such as apps, web apps, 3D, virtual and augmented reality for mobile devices. Cultural highlights of cities, regions, cycling and hiking tours in connection with culture, museums and galleries are presented in a contemporary fashion.
The success of integrating digital solutions to represent Cultural Heritage depends on a few critical factors: choice of appropriate technology, cross-platform, barrier freedom, internet visibility and marketing features.
The most widely used applications for mobile devices are natively programmed apps on iOS and Android platforms. Once downloaded, they guarantee independence from the internet or WIFI. Hybrid app forms, such as navigation via online maps or content download, require permanent internet access, therefore are rapidly reaching their limits regarding availability and function. State of the art solutions are implementation of interactive 360° VR, 3D, virtual and augmented reality as well as offline GPS navigation within the applications.
Another aspect is covering all platforms including HTML. Semantic search engines are unable to search within native programmed content, therefore appropriate solutions have to be developed. For people with disabilities content must equally be fully available.
Applications have to be checked under the aspect of marketing features, which allow international campaigns as well as the integration of local cultural and tourism businesses. The latter ones play an important role in the distribution of applications. Technical developments should not be an end in itself, but always be considered in terms of marketing and sales aspects together with immersive and high quality content.

Relevance for the conference: Technical aspects of programming apps
Relevance for the session: technical aspects of programming apps must include economic and marketing solutions
Innovation: all technical and marketing features integrated in one app with simultaneous separation of app and content
References:
solution for smooth integration of VR, offline availability on personal devices, high quality content, best practice affirmed by awards, assignements, national and EU funding