Along with a team from Manchester Metropolitan University’s Department of Tourism Management we've recently run 2 pilots with a prototype app developed for Glass. The first pilot looked at the logistics of conducting a meaningful usability study, whilst the second used the MLA Generic Learning Outcomes to frame questions about the qualitative experience of using the app to discover more about a selection of paintings. The app delivered adapted versions of existing text and audio interpretation.
There's no doubt that the novelty value of shiny new tech impressed many participants and feedback has been generally positive. The results of the second pilot haven't yet been fully analysed, but, from a personal perspective, I'd say we've much to learn and even more questions to ask about how and why we might develop content for this type of wearable. Image recognition and voice control are heady new paradigms - Cecilia Abadie, who developed the app, spoke of "Voice as the new touch". The app uses cards - think of miniature Powerpoint slides - to deliver content and instructions and this too may offer new ways to think about how we help our visitors 'play, study, find, follow or contemplate' (Hat tip to Ross Parry and his presentation, Beyond The Digital Guide). There's clearly tons of scope for developing engaging visitor experiences and for improving accessibility for some visitors. Though it feels like early days and the hardware may need to go through many iterations, improving usability, battery life and aesthetics, the pilot has given us useful insight into how we might prepare for our wearable enhanced visitors in the near future.
For one response to the pilot testing, read journalist Emily Heward's piece here: http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/google-glass-tested-men-reporter-7190896
Martin Grimes
Web Manager
Manchester City Galleries
Growth and Neighbourhoods Directorate, Manchester City Council
Manchester Art Gallery, Mosley Street, Manchester M2 3JL
Tel +44(0)161 235 8870
Fax +44(0)161 274 7144
Mob +44(0)7888971803
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www.manchestergalleries.org
Skype: martingrimes
Ryan Gander: Make every show like it's your last 3 July - 14 September 2014
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