Guide To Go
questions
& answers

A Smartguide™ is a location-based platform (App) for smartphones.

It uses satellite positioning to deliver audio, text, images, video, quizzes, and/or AR (Augmented Reality) based on the phone’s location in the landscape. The solution can also be used indoors.

The service is a standalone app and requires nothing more than a smartphone, preferably with earphones or headphones (for better sound quality and to avoid disturbing others).

It is available for iPhone and Android phones. The latest iOS is recommended, but not required.

No, it costs nothing to download and use it. Most routes are free. Some content may require payment, which can be done via credit card, PayPal, or VIPPS. Paid content is clearly marked.

No, you don’t. But the advantage of logging in is that you get your own library of downloaded content, which is always available. In addition, it makes purchasing content easier.

No personal data about the user is collected or stored; everything is fully covered by GDPR. The data collected includes phone type, which routes are downloaded, when, and in which selected language, etc.

This information is used solely to improve and make the service more user-friendly. Read more here: https://voiceofnorway.no/experio-app-privacy-policy/

Once you’re set up (downloaded the app and selected a route), the guide will automatically start. You don’t need to do anything other than follow the map if you wish. When the phone enters the radius of a point of interest, it automatically starts playing the content through images, text, and sound. The radius varies depending on what is being presented; for example, a mountain will have a large radius, while a statue in the city will have a small one. Accuracy is limited by the satellite system (GNSS), topography, and weather conditions – normally down to 3 meters.

AR content and quizzes require the user to actively tap in the app; simple instructions are provided in the app.

Download the app Voice Of Norway from Google Play or App Store.

IMPORTANT: Confirm that VON can use your location (Select: “Allow only while using the app”). If you don’t accept this, the service will not work.

Once you’ve downloaded and opened the app, you’ll see an overview of the routes nearest to you, along with other types of routes below. Download the route you want to use, and you’re ready to go.

Auto mode allows you, as the app user, to stream points of interest without downloading an entire route. By pressing the Auto button at the bottom right of the app, you’ll enter the map – and are then in Auto mode.

Each point of interest can have one or more predefined categories linked to it. The eight categories are: Activity, Art, Culture & History, Nature & Geography, Construction, Industry & Infrastructure, Hotel & Accommodation, Food & Drink, Information, and For Children.

An old historic hotel can, for example, have the following categories: Hotel & Accommodation, Food & Drink, Art, Culture & History.

In the app, you as a user can filter categories and tailor the guide experience depending on what kind of information you want.

For routes that have multiple languages, you can use the language button (insert image) and select your desired language.

The solution is designed for Google and iPhone OS and will not work on other platforms.

Check that you have the latest OS on your mobile phone and that the latest updates are installed.

When installing the VON app, you must accept location use. If you’re unsure whether you accepted this, check App permissions and select “Allow only while using the app.” Alternatively, you can uninstall/reinstall VON.

This is a complex app that uses most of the functionality of the mobile phone and may therefore require a fair amount of memory while in use. Make sure you don’t have too many parallel services/apps running at the same time.

If unsure, close other apps or restart your phone.

If it still doesn’t work, it is most likely due to an outdated phone/OS, insufficient satellite conditions, or underlying resource issues (memory, malfunction, or other issues with the phone).

You can also report errors directly in the app via the menu at the top left.