{"id":2688,"date":"2011-02-14T19:04:09","date_gmt":"2011-02-14T19:04:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.carnivalneworleans.com\/?p=2688"},"modified":"2011-02-14T22:26:38","modified_gmt":"2011-02-14T22:26:38","slug":"new-mardi-gras-app-will-help-monitor-parades","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/blog.carnivalneworleans.com\/?p=2688","title":{"rendered":"New Mardi Gras App Will Help Monitor Parades"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>History repeats itself every <a title=\"Mardi Gras\" href=\"http:\/\/carnivalneworleans.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">Mardi Gras<\/a>. Thousands of tourists and locals\u00a0  will wake up at the crack of dawn and head out to the neutral grounds and  sidewalks\u00a0 around Jackson and St. Charles Avenues with hopes of snagging a  Zulu coconut. Then, they\u2019ll wait. And wait. And wait.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_2696\" style=\"width: 650px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/blog.carnivalneworleans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Zulu-coconut-Muses-shoe-20092.jpg\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2696\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2696\" title=\"Zulu Coconut &amp; Muses Shoe\" src=\"http:\/\/blog.carnivalneworleans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Zulu-coconut-Muses-shoe-20092.jpg\" alt=\"Zulu Coconut &amp; Muses Shoe\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-2696\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Highly sought after Zulu Coconut &amp; Muses Shoe<\/p><\/div>\n<p>They\u2019ll  wonder if they read the parade schedule wrong, walk into the middle of  the street to see if anything is coming, and then it will hit them like a  double-decker float: Zulu always runs late (exception: 2010)<\/p>\n<p>But this year, smart  phone owners will be able to sleep in. Even though they could be miles  away from the parade, thanks to a new app with a built-in parade  tracker, they\u2019ll be in the know.<\/p>\n<p><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\/\/ <![CDATA[\n  google_ad_client = \"pub-2308209459674001\"; google_ad_width = 728; google_ad_height = 90; google_ad_format = \"728x90_as\"; google_ad_type = \"text_image\"; google_ad_channel =\"\"; google_color_border = \"CCCCCC\"; google_color_bg = \"C2C2C2\"; google_color_link = \"000000\"; google_color_url = \"666666\"; google_color_text = \"333333\";\n\/\/ ]]><\/script><\/p>\n<p><script src=\"http:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/show_ads.js\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\/\/ <![CDATA[\n\n\n\/\/ ]]><\/script><\/p>\n<p>The parade tracker relies on  devices placed on the head and tail floats of select parades, said Rob  Hudak, the interactive creative director at Zehnder Communication Inc.,  the New Orleans company that created the app in partnership with  television station WWL.<\/p>\n<p>The free app, called <a href=\"http:\/\/www.appbrain.com\/app\/experience-mardi-gras\/com.zehnder.experiencemardigras\">Experience Mardi Gras<\/a>,  is in its early stages but still will allow parade-goers and those  hoping to avoid parade traffic to track up to one parade every day  starting with <a title=\"Muses\" href=\"http:\/\/www.kreweofmuses.org\/\" target=\"_blank\">Muses<\/a> on March 3 and ending with <a title=\"Zulu\" href=\"http:\/\/www.kreweofzulu.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">Zulu<\/a> on Fat Tuesday. The app also features a post-parade events section and live streaming video of select parades.<\/p>\n<p>That means only the last half the parade season is covered by this app, which isn&#8217;t very good.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_2726\" style=\"width: 330px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/blog.carnivalneworleans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/EMG-screen-shot.jpg\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2726\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2726\" title=\"EMG screen shot\" src=\"http:\/\/blog.carnivalneworleans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/EMG-screen-shot.jpg\" alt=\"EMG screen shot\" width=\"320\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"http:\/\/blog.carnivalneworleans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/EMG-screen-shot.jpg 320w, http:\/\/blog.carnivalneworleans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/EMG-screen-shot-200x300.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-2726\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">EMG screen shot<\/p><\/div>\n<p>\u201cThis  is version 1.0, and we hope it grows into a more robust app  experience,\u201d Hudak said. \u201cWe\u2019re talking about adding social and  augmented reality components. Something almost like an extension of the  Mardi Gras experience.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>There are a handful of apps connected  with Carnival, but Zehnder and WWL\u2019s app actually provides real-time  tracking of Carnival parades, without relying on user-generated reports.<\/p>\n<p>WDSU-TV has a <a title=\"parade tracker program\" href=\"http:\/\/www.wdsu.com\/mardigras\/related.html\" target=\"_blank\">parade tracker program<\/a> that originate from a person riding in a car at the front of most parades. The human reports are converted to text messages which are sent to participating phones.\u00a0 This program is free. Arthur Hardy&#8217;s Mardi Gras Guide has a program that basically is his magazine on your smart phone. He charges 4.99, same as his magazine, I think.\u00a0 There are a number of free phone Mardi Gras theme wallpapers available.<\/p>\n<p>Production  of the app began in December and comes on the heels of a successful <a title=\"Voodoo Experience\" href=\"http:\/\/thevoodooexperience.com\/2010exp\/\" target=\"_blank\"> Voodoo Experience<\/a> music festival app that the agency launched in  October. Augmented reality was heavily utilized in that app.<\/p>\n<p>With  the Voodoo Experience app, concert-goers could point their smart phone  cameras at a band and the app would tell them who was currently on  stage. It would also give them information about the band and who was  playing next.<\/p>\n<p>By panning the camera around the premises, users  could see where they could go to the bathroom or where they could get  their next beer. By pointing it at a vendor, users could look at the  menu items available at that concession stand.<\/p>\n<p>Hudak envisions using the same concept for the Experience Mardi Gras app by 2012.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAn  idea we\u2019re throwing around is doing virtual throws, so that when you  point your phone at a float, it\u2019ll have a button that you can press to  get a throw, which could be a coupon to a sponsor,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>Sponsors  currently include Zatarain\u2019s and <a title=\"Tabasco\" href=\"http:\/\/www.tabasco.com\/main.cfm\" target=\"_blank\">Tabasco<\/a>, but Hudak expects to add  restaurants and bars on the parade route in future versions of the app.<\/p>\n<p>I attempted to find this program with my HTC Hero smart phone, and my market search engine (google!) couldn&#8217;t find any Experience Mardi Gras app. When I used my phone bar code scanner program to scan the QR code provided, my phone recognized the code but was unable to find the web site. Then I went to the web site the article linked to, and clicked the download link. The site indicated the download had started, but I never received the app.<\/p>\n<p>I&#8217;m not sure releasing the app in time for Carnival 2011 with this many bugs was a wise move. Time will tell.<\/p>\n<p>From the <a title=\"Appbrain.com\" href=\"http:\/\/www.appbrain.com\/app\/experience-mardi-gras\/com.zehnder.experiencemardigras\" target=\"_blank\">Appbrain.com<\/a> web site-<\/p>\n<p><em>Experience Mardi Gras is an app like no other. You can follow your  favorite Mardi Gras parades as they\u2019re happening! Find out schedules,  routes, events, and more with this one-of-a-kind interactive, mobile  application.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>It\u2019s the only app to offer the PARADE TRACKER  feature, so you can follow the parade as it makes its way to your exact  location. While the app follows the biggest krewes as they make their  way down New Orleans\u2019 historic streets, you\u2019ll be the first to know when  the parade is over so you can beat the crowd to the next event \u2013 no  more guessing about when it\u2019s going to end or if the parade has broken  down.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>This app uses Google Maps to give you the most accurate  parade routes, helps you navigate the city and lets you know exactly  when and where to be for the best parades.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>And while you\u2019re  waiting on each parade to reach your location, the app features  authentic and entertaining videos of this year\u2019s Mardi Gras as well as  years past. Learn some fun facts about storied carnival traditions from  the unique personalities that make this New Orleans\u2019 favorite season  while receiving up-to-date information on route changes, dates, and  times for Mardi Gras 2011!<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>After the parades, use the EVENTS page  to plan your evening out. Find out where all the action in the city is  happening and where your favorite band is playing.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\/\/ <![CDATA[\n  google_ad_client = \"pub-2308209459674001\"; google_ad_width = 728; google_ad_height = 90; google_ad_format = \"728x90_as\"; google_ad_type = \"text_image\"; google_ad_channel =\"\"; google_color_border = \"CCCCCC\"; google_color_bg = \"C2C2C2\"; google_color_link = \"000000\"; google_color_url = \"666666\"; google_color_text = \"333333\";\n\/\/ ]]><\/script><\/p>\n<p><script src=\"http:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/show_ads.js\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\/\/ <![CDATA[\n\n\n\/\/ ]]><\/script><\/p>\n<p><em>Download the best guide to everything you need to make the most of your Mardi Gras Experience in a single spot!<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>FEATURES:<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>&#8211;\tPARADE TRACKER (see where you are in relation to the beginning and end of the parade route)<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>&#8211;\tComplete parade schedule and start times (Date\/Time, Location)<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>&#8211;\tGoogle Map of all parade routes<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>&#8211;\tAuthentic video content featuring current content from WWL TV<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>&#8211;\tUp to the minute listings of events, music, and happenings around town<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Recent changes:<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>-Added start and end markers to parade maps.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Latest version:  1.05 (for all Android versions)<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>History repeats itself every Mardi Gras. Thousands of tourists and locals\u00a0 will wake up at the crack of dawn and head out to the neutral grounds and sidewalks\u00a0 around Jackson and St. Charles Avenues with hopes of snagging a Zulu coconut. Then, they\u2019ll wait. And wait. And wait. They\u2019ll wonder if they read the parade [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[7,3,214,4,107,128],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/blog.carnivalneworleans.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2688"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/blog.carnivalneworleans.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/blog.carnivalneworleans.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/blog.carnivalneworleans.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/blog.carnivalneworleans.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2688"}],"version-history":[{"count":28,"href":"http:\/\/blog.carnivalneworleans.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2688\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2714,"href":"http:\/\/blog.carnivalneworleans.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2688\/revisions\/2714"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/blog.carnivalneworleans.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2688"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/blog.carnivalneworleans.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2688"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/blog.carnivalneworleans.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2688"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}