What if a tour guide system didn’t need dedicated receivers at all? That question led me to build GuideCast. Traditional tour guide systems require dedicated transmitters and receivers, adding cost and the hassle of distributing, collecting, and managing equipment. I wondered if the smartphones people already carry could replace that hardware. With GuideCast, a guide speaks through a smartphone while participants listen in real time on their own phones over Wi-Fi—without mobile data or dedicated receivers. The guide only needs a compact portable 5GHz Wi-Fi router and a high-output power bank. A battery-powered all-in-one router can also be used. GuideCast has been tested with 37 smartphones connected simultaneously at distances of up to 50 meters (160 ft). It is available on both iOS and Android. I’d love to hear your feedback—especially where you think GuideCast could be useful beyond traditional tours. Thank you!

GuideCast WIFI

A tour guide system with no receivers or mobile data

A tour guide system with no receivers or mobile data