Eden Project releases first iPhone app, the Insider Guide
The Eden Project has released its first official iPhone app, the Insider Guide aiming to make the Eden Project an even richer experience for visitors.
Development of the app was carried out by digital agency, Make it Digital, with design and integration with existing systems carried out by the Eden Projects in-house digital team, help was also provided by strategic design consultancy Make it Clear.
Embedded into the app is a comprehensive collection of content, including an A-Z of exhibits, plants and facilities at the Eden Project. Mapping with the Insider Guide also allows for quick and easy navigation to the most enticing attractions at the Eden Project. Utilising the Google Maps API, the app permits easy search and discovery and the illustrated map helps visitors explore new attractions. Attractions are also grouped into types to easily allow users to filter for specific attractions.
The ‘What’s On’ section promotes the best attractions, changing daily and guiding visitors to the most captivating sights in the gardens with seasonal sensitivity. A QR Reader also allows visitors to scan tagged plants and attractions to discover embedded content and information.
The app’s ‘Fun’ section includes a collection of features which add to the visitor experience spanning the bridge between digital and physical. The ‘Send a Postcard’ feature lets users choose or take a photo to create a personalised postcard which can be sent anywhere in the world, with at least 60p of the postcards cost going to charity.
A ‘Stories’ section features a number of narrated tales, and ‘Nature Trails’ provide children with treasure hunts around the Eden Project. Other features include special offers with a redeemable code integrated with the Eden Projects point of sale technology.
Nina Whitby, Eden’s digital editor, commented: “We're really excited to release the first ever Eden iPhone app. Our aim is for it to enrich people's visit with extra information to help plan a visit and get the most out of a trip to Eden – but also to provide something fun and useful to delve into at home.”
The app costs £2.99 from the app store and runs on iPhone 3GS, 4 and 4S, running on iOS 4.3 or later.