Researchers at the University of Waikato, in collaboration with the Hamilton Gardens, developed a mobile application based on the Tipple framework. It provides information about history and the design of the themed gardens. As a unique feature the app presents the information based on the location of the user: When users enter a themed garden, the app notifies them that information on the garden is available through an audio signal. Users can choose to listen to the the spoken text while they walk through the garden. The app offers discovery tours with audio commentary.

Version 2.0 (launched February 2018)

New features in v2.0 are garden details and interactive tours with audio guidance by a professional speaker,  a self-updating event list, a picture gallery, and photo-frames featuring elements of the newest gardens. The audio is available for download, otherwise the app uses text-to-speech.

The app was designed and implemented by Waikato academics and student programmers; for details contact Annika Hinze (tipple@waikato.ac.nz). Special thanks for the iOS development goes to Daniel Gratwicke, a Waikato graduate.

The app is now available for download at the Google play store (for Android)…

… and on the iOS App store (for iPhone).

Media reception:

• Stuff/Technology article (16 February 2018)
• Feature Story in Press Release by University of Waikato (February 2018)

Version 1.0 (launched December 2016)

Hamilton Gardens app v1.0 was only available on Android and is now discontinued. It has been superseded by the new version.

Media reception:

• A new way to enjoy Hamilton Gardens (University Press release 16 December 2016)
• Youtube video “Hamilton Gardens App” (University of Waikato)

Relevant Academic Publications

Location-triggered mobile access to a digital library of audio books using Tipple
Hinze, A. and D. Bainbridge
International Journal on Digital Libraries, Springer Verlag, 2015

Tipple: location-triggered mobile access to a digital library for audio books
Hinze, A. and D. Bainbridge
Proceedings of the Joint International Conference on Digital Libraries (JCDL), July 2013
(Nominated for the Vannevar Bush Award)

Listen to Tipple: Creating a Mobile Digital Library with Location-triggered Audio Books
Hinze, A. and D. Bainbridge
Conference on Theory and Practice of Digital Libraries, September 2012

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