Introduction
Soundtag was created as a fun way to reach out to friends, family, and complete strangers, using soundtags: audio files identified by a specific geolocation. When you are near a location marked with a tag, the app will pick it up and start playing the audio file instantly. Travel, search, discover!
The project comprises of a web portal and an accompanying Android app. Users are able to register on either application, but must have an account to login and start using the service. Details such as name, email, and phone number must be filled in.
After logging in, users are directed to the dashboard's map page. This is where a map of all soundtags created by the user can be viewed. New tags can also be created here, as well as changing the home location (initial map view coordinates).
Figure 1. Map view. Users are able to view their soundtags on the map; add new tags; and change their home location.
Creating new soundtags is done through a modal dialog. Users pick a position by dragging the map to the desired location (or search for one using the search bar). Audio files up to 10MB can be uploaded to the application. By adjusting the visibility settings, users are able to mark their soundtag as private (only visible to the user itself), or public (visible to anyone). If the public option is chosen, the tag is visible to any Soundtag user by default. If contacts are added, the tag will be visible to only those contacts. Contacts are imported from the Android app and are updated when the user logs in.
Private soundtag use could include reminder yourself to make a phonecall, or a number of tags along your jogging route. You could use public tags to send messages to your friends and loved ones, or complete strangers. By default public tags with no attached contacts can be viewed in the app, but are not played automatically, unless the user enables this setting. Private, and public tags sent to specific contacts will automatically play by default (but this behaviour can also be changed).
Figure 2. New soundtag dialog. Users are able to drag the map to a position (or search for it manually), select an audio file to upload to that location, and set visibility preferences.
To give users easier access to all of their soundtags than the map view, the audio view lists all of the tags together with map links, and deletion option. Tags can be played here as well to better identify them, or downloaded to store a precious memory.
Additionally, on the settings page settings such as name, email, phone number, and privacy settings for new sountag default visibility may be adjusted.
Figure 3. Left: The audio view lets users quickly browse through all their created tags. Right: General settings can be edited in the settings view.