here is the transcript of my little speech kinda:

my completely new idea is called footprint. it is basically a global tour guide built into you iPhone.

It gathers all the information from travel guides, brochures and other travel related information sources. it puts it into one easily accessible, easy-to-use and organised place.

it uses the GPS capabilities and google maps to track the users exact location and gives teh user information about the particular spot. it lists information about literally everywhere in the world from the smallest town, to info about countires or areas of the world.

some of the things it lists:

• up-to-the-minute global weather
• quick facts – timezone, currency, local language
• places to eat, sleep and shop
• any interesting events/facts about the particular spot

what makes footprint different from just using the interenet on the iPhone to look at online travel guides is the interface agent i propose to use in this application.

examples can be found on my minisite but basically its a computer generated character that acts as your personal guide. instead of simply reading information off the screen, the user can simply plug in eadphones or loudspeaker and listen and watch their own personal tourguide. users choose there there own  guide meaning user choice and they guide almost becomes like a buddy.

exmaple: if you were an overseas traveller and you’re english wasnt teh best, going on and tradtional /regular tou may be fruitless and frustrating , not to mention a waste of money. instead the personal guide on your phone can speak in your native language and inform you about the surrounding area.

they would talk abotu the history of the are, things to do and as the user walks and approaches new things the tour guide changes what they are talking about. its like having one of the hosts of getaway on yoru hpone or depending on what your interest area’s are the history channel or a sports host, or if you live celebrity gossip, or the national geographic.

one of the msot unique features i carried over from my last idea is the ability for the tour guide to teach the user useful phrases to the user in the language of that area. it would be intergrated into the tour or could be requested specifically by the user.