360Magazine
November 7, 2011
Welcome to the first edition of 360Magazine!
First a small warning. We are currently doing a major update of our website. Everything is being changed and all old content with thousands of 360-images is removed to make room for all new content based on our new design format 360Show. All our new productions will use this format as it is optimized for all major web browsers, including iPhone/iPad and Android devices. It also looks a lot nicer...
We are currently producing in 22 cities all over the world but we want to give you a taste of what it will look like. As all image content will be produced from scratch it will take some time until full functionality is reached.
Today we will only load 3 properties, Conrad Maldives, Hilton Venice and Hilton Madrid to show you what to expect when each destination is "full". Today the category list with hotels, restaurants, bars & clubs and museums is disabled until enough highlighted partners are selected and produced. Please enjoy and send us your feedback...
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360Magazine is the editorial side of 360CityGuide. As each city or destination we feature grows with additional highlighted partners the number of 360-images, still images and video will grow.
Some would say that the abundance of images would be enough but we would like to tell a story about every city and destination we feature. The cities or destination we produce are not selected on random. These are destinations selected carefully because they are special to us.
Each destination has a unique story and we will tell that story from our point of view, as photographers and visitors.
We will also let the people from each destination to tell their story and what they would like to highlight in their city. We will ask them to recommend what not to miss while visiting their city.
Many of our website visitors also have their stories and recommendations to share as hands on experiences from the destinations. They will be our guest editors and their recommendations are highly appreciated.
November 1, 2011 was the soft launch date of our new website design. The old version of 360CityGuide had our own developed interactive maps loaded with Java and QuickTime 360-images from our early days. Mixing old technology with new productions was not an option for us as we want the best possible user experience for our online visitors.
As of November 2011 we will use Google Maps loaded with our standardized 360Show web design format to highlight all our featured partners in a city.
360Show is optimized for all major web browser including iPhone/iPad and Android Devices. The file size for the 360-images will actually adapt to what device is used to view the content. Smaller screens will automatically load smaller files and speed up download time.
We will initially start up production in 22 cities and destinations. All content will be produced from scratch and we ask for your patience in advance as the destinations will be filled up with new content gradually as it will be produced.
The nomination process and production process will take some time but we want to be certain that we select and feature the very best from every destination.
The 360CityGuide is all about recommendations. We want to be the best cicerone or concierge for our visitors and our focus is on fine design, unique architecture and spectacular location. We want our visitors to be able to prepare before the travel and "look before they book".
Instead of a long list with all major hotels or museums we select a cooked down "short list" with the best we can find based on nominations and careful research.
We will try to keep the list in each category to a maximum of 20 partners. Small destinations will feature less and major cities will have a few more.
The 360CityGuide website is financed by private investors, advertising and hotel booking commissions.
Featured hotels can be booked via 360Show and all reservations are made via our partner Expedia. Many bookings will help us expand the number of destinations.
If you like what we do please use our services to book your next trip...
Please enjoy the new version of 360CityGuide!
Kind regards,
Bill Blakeus
Chief Editor at 360CityGuide and
President & CEO at 360WorldGuide
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