04 July,2012 09:40 AM IST | | Ruchika Kher
Set out on a trip to the Taj Mahal and enjoy crisp commentary and evocative descriptions. However, you can experience all these things virtually by just downloading an application.
The audio tour gives you accurate information about the monuments
"Our Taj Mahal application for iPhone, iPod and Android is an easy-to-use mobile application. We have developed this in partnership with the Ministry of Culture. The application features an interactive map of the Taj Mahal complex, you can tap the on screen number corresponding to what you are interested in hearing about," says Gautam Shewakramani, founder, Audio Compass, the company that has developed the application.
Virtual visits
Apart from Taj Mahal, Audio Compass offers audio guided tours of Agra Fort, Khajuraho's temples and the Buddhist monuments at Sanchi. "India has so much culture to offer, yet there is plenty to be done in order to effectively showcase India to the world. We get so many international visitors a year, and countless domestic visitors.
The application that takes you on a virtual tour aroundu00a0Taj Mahal
There are very few affordable avenues to get accurate information while they travel, let alone have access to well packaged information, in the language of their choice. This is why we have developed audio tours in nine Indian and foreign languages," explains Gautam.
Mumbai chapter
Currently, the company is in the process of producing an application that will be a virtual walk across South Mumbai, comparing the city between 1947 and 2012 with the help of twou00a0fictional characters.
Gautam informs, "This covers several points of interest in the Fort area and tells the story of how Bombay went from an isolated fishing community to one of the most important ports in the world, which was then reborn as aamchi Mumbai. The South Bombay Walking Tour is in post-production." This application should be launched by July 15.
As far as the cost is concerned, the application is not steeply priced. "The audio tour and the iPhone / Android application costs R100 (plus taxes). Because the iPhone and Android tours are priced in dollars ($1.99), the price varies slightly based on prevailing exchange rate," reveals Gautam.
Look out for
Currently, Audio Compass is working towards launching audio tours at Salar Jung Museum, Hyderabad. They are also in the process of developing several mobile-only audio tours including one that offers a glimpse into the lives of Bollywood stars.
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Log on to www.audiocompass.in to download the applications.u00a0
