An Austin, Texas-based company called IngZ launched two personal guided tour apps – Tour Guide Tool (TGT) and touringZ.
The first of the two, Tour Guide Tool, is used for creating guided tours, allowing users to record audio, take photos and input text. The app then packages the locations into a “tour” and allows the guide to share it with other people. TGT can be used for everything from documenting a run, journaling a trip or just taking notes while you walk around to better remember details later.
touringZ, on the other hand, is used for consuming guided tours created by Tour Guide Tool users, local experts and enthusiasts. IngZ describes using touringZ is like having a personal guide in the iPhone.
Already, there are quite a few guides available for download (from within the app) including:
- Las Vegas – low roller tour, around the world in a day tour, historical tour
- National Parks – Death Valley tour, Yellowstone National Park south loop tour
- Historical tours – DC Mall tour, Austin Capitol tour, Texas Independence tour
- Hikes – Rocky Mountain National Park hike, Garden of the Gods hike, Amicolala Falls hike
- Get-to-know-the-city tours – Austin: Lamar Blvd from north to south, best parks and pools of The Woodlands, Main Street walk in Fredericksburg
- Wineries – Guadalupe Valley wineries, Austin-Fredericksburg wineries
- Boating tours – Lake Travis by canoe
- Europe – Glendalough tour in Ireland, tour of Florence, Italy
I like the idea of personal guides that go beyond classic “things to do” lists and I wonder whether IngZ’s service will catch on. In the meantime, you can grab their apps from the links below.
touringZ (FREE) [iTunes link]
touringZ Pro ($0.99) [iTunes link]
Tour Guide Tool (FREE) [iTunes link]