Did you know that a free Polynesian Cultural Center app is available for download to your iOS and Android mobile devices? A’oia (“that’s right,” in Hawaiian) — think of it as high tech for our old-Polynesia setting.
Under the direction of Jeff Dunn, Director of the Center’s Digital Commerce and Online Marketing team, the PCC worked with Beaverton, Oregon-based Villusion Studios, LLC earlier this year to develop and release the first-version app.
The app currently provides:
– A handy map of the Center with informative descriptions and pictures of all the key features, activities, dining and shopping options.
– Integrated map overlays that show locations, for example, of activities, shopping, dining, restrooms, etc.
– A list of activity schedules.
– A built-in GPS feature that easily identifies a guest’s location and how to navigate to other parts of the PCC.
– Recommended tour itineraries that can be adjusted by a guest’s arrival time or interests at the Center.
– Answers to frequently asked questions (FAQ).
Furthermore, the Center is already working on an update of the app that will include additional functionality, such as booking and/or upgrading tickets, and receiving “push” notifications on the availability of upgrades.
The second-version of the app will include location-based information and services using beacon technology. Beacons transmit “Bluetooth Low Energy” signals from multiple embedded sensors over short distances that ping the installed app on both iOS and Android mobile devices. The guest then has the option to bring up additional information, pictures, and even links to video clips on the device’s screen for that location.
“We hope to work with Villusion on additional projects in the future. Their specialty, for example, is virtual reality video. We may look at incorporating 360-degree VR videos along with a 3-D map of the Center in future upgrades,” said Dunn.
To download your own copy of the PCC app, go to the Apple iTunes App Store (for iOS) or Google Play Store and search for “Polynesian Cultural Center.
For more PCC October 2016 news, CLICK HERE
Story and images by Mike Foley
Mike Foley, who has worked off-and-on
at the Polynesian Cultural Center since
1968, has been a full-time freelance
writer and digital media specialist since
2002, and had a long career in marketing
communications and PR before that. He
learned to speak fluent Samoan as a
Mormon missionary before moving to Laie
in 1967 — still does, and he has traveled
extensively over the years throughout
Polynesia and other Pacific islands. Foley
is mostly retired now, but continues to
contribute to various PCC and other media.
Really great post. This answered the majority of my questions. When I read this I actually opened up a word document and started taking notes haha.