Museums are recently beginning to explore digital and mobile technologies in order to enhance visitors experience. They have gone beyond an added exhibits and installations, but also include more pervasive uses of technology to create interactive experiences for visitors. In addition they have also created remote experiences for individuals who cannot manage to physically visit the museums.
The Smithsonian is the leader in the space of digital and mobile technology. I has everything from “traditional” cellphone tours and mobile apps to crowd-sourcing in order to create interactive gaming and even augmented reality. The head of mobile strategy and initiatives at the Smithsonian, Nancy Proctor, has published many articles on the topic of mobile in museums. She has even been cited by other museums as a main source of learning and inspiration on the topic and the expansion of technology as a source of enhancing the museum experience.
The Smithsonian has an array of mobile apps:
Infinity of Nations: created for the National Museum of African Indians and provides English and Spanish mobile tours, and includes slideshows and video in versions for both children and adults.
Yves Klein-With the Void, Full Powers: provides an overview and insights into select art pieces with hi-res images, video, audio and quotes directly from the artist.
Set in Style: an iPad application which showcases 65 of the 350 objects on view in an exhibition at the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum in New York, including jewels, timepieces, and fashion accessories by Van Cleef & Arpels.
Artists in Dialogue 2: made for the National Museum of African Art, provides a mobile tour in English and Brazilian Portuguese, led by curator Karen Milbourne and the artists.
Infinity of Nations: created for the National Museum of African Indians and provides English and Spanish mobile tours, and includes slideshows and video in versions for both children and adults.
Yves Klein-With the Void, Full Powers: provides an overview and insights into select art pieces with hi-res images, video, audio and quotes directly from the artist.
Set in Style: an iPad application which showcases 65 of the 350 objects on view in an exhibition at the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum in New York, including jewels, timepieces, and fashion accessories by Van Cleef & Arpels.
Artists in Dialogue 2: made for the National Museum of African Art, provides a mobile tour in English and Brazilian Portuguese, led by curator Karen Milbourne and the artists.
Source: http://mashable.com/2011/09/14/high-tech-museums/