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Recent technological advances mean that now in Paris your mobile phone, PDA or MP3 player can become your tour guide.
News From France, the French Embassy's monthly magazine, reports:
"Software programmers have come up with a new role for the (above) useful gadgets in Paris. Now travelers can download tour guiding software straight from the Internet or CDs into almost any MP3-compatible device. Not only can they tour Paris at their own pace, but tourists can choose the places of interest they want to see - with the touch of a button an expert narrates the history and significance of works of art and monuments right in front of them.
For those who don't have an MP3 device there is the Digi-Guide, a Pocket PC you wear around your neck, already equipped with a mini-GPS system small enought to fit in your pocket.
Once the tour starts you just follow the path displayed on the screen by locating yourself with the symbol indicating your position, explained one of the brains behind the scheme. Along the way restaurants, monuments, boutiques, etc. can be pointed out at the user's command. The technologically-challenged need not feel intimidated - it's very simple to use; it has only three buttons, says the software designer for Digi-Guides.
A Digi-Guide pack can be rented at some hotels or by internet or phone to be picked up at withdrawal points or delivered to you personally anywhere in Paris.
More info: www.digi-guide.com
Has anyone used Digi-Guide self-guided tours?
ParisScope: High-Tech Low-Cost Self-guided Tours
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Thanks a million PalengueBob for posting this most interesting website.
I look forward to loading all the tours onto my IMate K-Jam.
ttt
still looking for anyone who has done this???
Fascinating! I've been looking for a reasonable GPS system to do something like this with a group of friends next June, but this is even better as there is a narrative and points of interest. The price seems reasonable as well. We'll have to see who has done this. If there are no responses, I may just try this when I hit Paris next month, and will let you know what I think.
Where is the download for MP3's or iPod? This looks really interesting if I can get it for my iPod.
About time
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=2&tid=34550478
While this is catchy and may appeal to those who have to have the latest gadget, I don't think it will ever replace a good guide. It could be useful for someone who has some knowledge of Paris as a navigation tool, but it lacks the human touch that many visitors want.
Of course, everyone wants something different, but with the numerous guides in Paris with varying backgrounds, from arts historians, specialists in architecture and decorative arts, cuisine, etc., most of whom have a strong background in day-to-day Paris, whether expat or naztive, I doubt that this gadget will ever replace the human touch.
It's not supposed to "replace the human touch." It's for people who don't want shell out what a human guide commands but are willing to pay €20 for a couple of weeks' worth of walking tours.
Long live the little machines!
robes -- I remember when you posted this exact idea, and you were wondering where the product was!
Some people were irrationally hostile to your idea, but I'm not sure if it was the technology they feared, or you. I can't wait to use something like this -- hopefully something will be available when I head to Rome for the first time.
Toupary,
I'm assuming that well-known art historians/architects/historians would be the ones writing the audio narratives -- at least that makes the most sense from a marketing point of view. I would love to have a favorite historian/art critic/author be my "personal" guide through a city or museum. I'd value that information much more than the average tour guide.
Palanquebob,
I was preparing my next trip to Paris when I saw your post. Well I didn't do it, but a friend of mine did. Seems great. He says that this Digi-Guide will never replace a human guide, but if you're on a low budget, and want to experience something new, it's totally worth it.
He also said that it was one of the best ways to dicover the hidden places.
I've already booked mine.
Fishee,
I would like to think you're right, but don't count on it.
I never said anything about "well-known" -- there are a lot of people in thes fields working in tourism.
I hope you are right.
I'm not counting on it at all initially. But if this catches on and I really hope it does, it would be one critical way for a company to distinguish their product.
fleepy- we expect a full critique upon your return!
Hi everyone,
back from my short break in Paris, and having tried that Digi-Guide.
Here is my report :
1- The Digi-Guide (a shoulder bag containing a PDA, a GPS receiver, chargers and a metro map) was delivered at my hotel on Friday at 10:00 - on time.
2 - The guy from Digi-Guide explained me that the new version was in test, and that he offered me the rental if I agreed with being a tester. I said yes - the only thing a had to do is answering a few questions.
3 - He showed me how it worked (took 3 minutes to tell me about the bluetooth connection between the PDA and the receiver and how to get a GPS fix) and he left.
4 - took me 15 minutes to discover the different items.
5 - Main functionalities :
there are 29 day tours and 6 night tours
You have different menus to choose your tour, and you have a short description and a photo preview of all of them.
All tours start and end at a metro station. When you finish one, you can start another one (they all link).
There's the possibility to navigate in the city without choosing a tour. That means your position is displayed on a map of Paris, and you get information on all Points of Interest.
There's also the possibility to choose a monument or a restaurant, and to be guided to it - you can either walk or take the metro.
They give many information on how to live the city (transports, how to get there and there, useful words - with the pronunciation -, how to order in a restaurant, etc.
Finaly ,they have a little funny quizz and a short history of Paris.
6 - Here are my conclusions :
Very easy to use, easy to navigate, easy to find your way.
Short commentaries - sometimes too short - with beautiful photos.
English - british - voice not loud enough.
Wide choice of walks you won't find in other guides.
You spend the first 30 minutes staring at the screen, and miss most of interesting things - but OK after those 30 minutes.
You can almost learn everthing on the tours you don't choose - you can use the PDA without GPS, and have a look at all the tours and all the monuments, including the commentaries.
Totally worth the price - €30 for 2 days, including the delivery - even if I did not pay.
I agree with what my friend told me. It will never replace a human guide.
I would also have appreciated more information on museums - they just give a short commentary, and the opening hours.
Well hope all this will help and answer all of your questions.