Hear Manchester - tour of the Rochdale Canal

The Rochdale Canal cuts a swathe through the heart of Manchester but, unloved and largely ignored, rarely featured on any tourist map – until Marketing Manchester and Manchester City Council decided to raise its profile among residents and visitors alike. The canal, and the Petersfield area around it, is steeped in history, from the creation of the world’s first programmable computer to the rise and fall of Factory Records. Hearmanchester.com lets the history, personality and attitude of this part of the city speak for itself – and in so doing, bring the Rochdale Canal to life.

Fronted by punk singer and music pundit, John Robb, Hearmanchester.com is an ambitious multi-format project that centres on a series of ten audio portraits. These guides, linked to landmark signage by the side of the canal itself, can be accessed online via a PC or MP3 player or listened to on site via an iPhone or 3G mobile. Accompanied by downloadable transcripts and maps, Hearmanchester.com tells the story of Manchester’s past, anchoring vanished histories to today’s physical landmarks. Designed to fit the devices already in users’ pockets, it is an audio trail for people who wouldn’t be seen dead using an audio trail – but who don’t mind discovering the past on the mobile device in their hand, the laptop in their hotel room or the iPod in their car.
Produced in record time, Hearmanchester.com met with industry approval: the product was nominated for two BIMA awards in 2008, and won two Special Commendations that the 2009 Big Chip Awards.

Take a stroll along the Rochdale Canal, type Hearmanchester.com into the browser on your phone, and listen to a programme about the city you thought you knew.
http://stardotstar.com/projects/hearmanchester

Museum of London App

Streetmuseum gives you a unique perspective of old and new London whether you're discovering the capital for the first time or revisiting favourite haunts. Hundreds of images from the Museum of London's extensive collections showcase both everyday and momentous occasions in London's history, from the Great Fire of 1666 to the swinging sixties.

Once you've got the hang of it, use Streetmuseum to create your own trails around London. At home, on the way to work or enjoying a trip to the capital – whatever you're doing, Streetmuseum offers you a different outlook on London.

Of course with thousands of years of turbulent history, London has changed many times so some streets or buildings may not exist today. Where precise locations aren't available, relish the challenge of identifying recognisable landmarks which may offer you clues as to the current day site. A street name in the background or a church spire in the distance may be all you need to find the view. Our descriptions can also help you locate the right spot.
Want to continue your journey? Visit the Museum of London's spectacular new Galleries of Modern London and discover the story of the world's greatest city and its people.
www.museumoflondon.org.uk

Augmented reality Christmas cards

Augmented reality Christmas Cards from augmented reality developer, artist, Randy Miller. www.millersconcepts.com

Digital agency builds a better city experience

Birmingham’s architecture is being showcased to city centre visitors through a new iPhone app that allows its users to access background information, imagery and guided tour routes of interesting landmarks whilst on the move.
BAApp: Walking Architecture, an iPhone app from the Birmingham Architectural Association (BAA), was created by digital media and design agency Substrakt, and utilises location-based technology to provide users with detailed information about particular buildings as they move through the city.
Andy Hartwell, managing director at Substrakt, said: “It was really important to create an application that appealed to both users who are interested in architecture, and the general public who either may have an interest in the buildings that they interact with on a day-to-day basis, or who are visiting and keen to learn more about their surroundings.
“BAApp: Walking Architecture is free to download and contains themed walking tours, such as a historical walk around some of Birmingham’s oldest buildings, providing users with an enjoyable, low-cost activity to participate in when visiting the city centre”.
Substrakt has also designed a website to accompany the app which allows users to easily create their own walking tours that can then be shared across social networking sites.
Gavin Orton, president of the Birmingham Architectural Association, said: “It is important for us to reach new audiences in Birmingham which is why we were keen to work with Substrakt. The team is based locally and has a proven track record of working with location-based applications in an innovative and exciting way that will appeal to lots of different types of people.”
The app was created in partnership between the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), the Birmingham Architectural Association and the Birmingham Five Counties Architectural Association (BFCAA).
For more information about the services that Substrakt offer, please visit their website.