Integrated Online Audio and Map Service For Visitors.
URHere and BeyondGuide have developed a strategic partnership that will enhance the current service offerings of the two companies and includes joint marketing activities.
The two companies are integrating URHere’s industry-leading ActiveMaps technology that produces customized online and print maps with BeyondGuide’s unique audio guide service to cities. Exhibiting at the International Association for Exhibition Management Expo in Chicago this week, URHere and BeyondGuide demonstrated three unique products: an online map of Washington, DC that allows a user to listen to information about the city’s historical and cultural attractions, a mobile version for use on the iPAQ PDA, and a printed map that allows tourists to use their cell phones to access audio information about the city’s attractions.
Currently, the companies are capable of offering their joint services in Washington, DC and New York City. Additional U.S. cities are expected to be available in 2002. Initial marketing activities will focus on markets that currently use maps as a service offering to their customers, such as the convention and event planning market as well as the tourism promotion industry. In 2002, the companies plan to offer a free tourist map that can have its audio “switched on” for a small fee of approximately $10.
A demonstration of the integrated online service can be viewed at www.urhere.com/dcaudio.
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URHere is a map media company that uses interactive print, online and wireless maps to deliver innovative content and advertising to the sporting events, media, government, emergency management, travel, special events, trade show and convention markets. They recently produced the most widely used map of the relief and rescue efforts in New York. URHere is a private company based in Washington, DC.
BeyondGuide provides mobile phone users with on-demand access to a personal audio guide as they visit the world’s leading tourist destinations. BeyondGuide is a Bertelsmann backed company based in Rockville, Maryland.
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