Mobile travel guides are nothing new. We’ve seen a number of companies joining this market, both old school players like Lonely Planet as well as new entrants laser-focused on smartphone users.
A new company called minube thinks there’s still room for growth here and with their new offering they may be onto something. Instead of launching yet another guide for one of the world’s popular cities, they’re out with a platform instead, allowing other travelers to make their own guides and eventually make some money selling them.
At the moment there are three minube apps available for iOS and Android users covering Madrid, Barcelona and Granada (more coming soon) — all of which are free to download. However, there are specialty guides (so called Essentials) built inside each of those that are selling for 99 cents via in-app purchase capability. In Madrid, for example, various authors have created Essentials for shopping in the city’s coolest neighborhood, the best bars for gin and tonics, the most authentic hamburgers, a walk through the old quarters, and exploring the city’s various historical palaces. In Granada, an author has created an Essential with a special itinerary for making the most out of your visit o La Alhambra, Spain’s most universally-recognized monument.
The revenue earned by selling these guides is split between the content author, minube and the payment processor, which is Apple in case of iOS apps.
Sounds like a great business model, with all parties included getting something – travelers get inside information straight from the horse’s mouth, while content authors and minube get some cash for their effort. Love it! 😉
Madrid Guide (FREE) [iTunes link] [Android Market link]
Barcelona Guide (FREE) [iTunes link] [Android Market link]
Granada Guide (FREE) [iTunes link] [Android Market link]