Audioguides

An audioguide is a device or software that delivers recorded narration or live commentary to visitors as they explore exhibitions, museums, galleries, or historic sites. Content is typically organized by individual works or by routes, allowing users to learn at their own pace and focus on topics of interest.

Audioguides began to appear in the mid-20th century, with cassette-based systems used in many museums. Over time, formats evolved to include CDs, digital players, and, more recently, smartphone apps and web-based guides. The shift to mobile devices has broadened access and reduced the need for dedicated hardware.

How they work: content is prepared and recorded in multiple languages, and linked to exhibits by numbers, locations, or QR codes. Users select a language, press play, and follow a guided route or explore as they wish. Modern versions may use GPS or beacons to provide situated commentary, and can offer transcripts, image notes, and accessibility options for visually or hearing-impaired visitors.

Benefits and limitations: audioguides can improve comprehension, accessibility, and engagement, especially for multilingual or self-paced experiences. They require maintenance, battery power, and content updates. In some settings, devices can be noisy or inconvenient for groups, and privacy or data usage may be considerations for app-based guides.

Common in museums, historic houses, archaeological sites, and cultural centers, audioguides continue to evolve with offline downloads, multilingual libraries, and integration with augmented reality, social features, and personalized tours.