Hidden Newcastle Quirky History App Now Available for Android Phones

www.hiddennewcastle.org The wait is over, 90% of smartphone users will now be able to access the hugely popular Hidden Newcastle app with the launch of the much-anticipated Android version.  Since the launch in November 2014, there has been a huge amount of interest from Android users for the app to be compatible with their phones. Tyne & Wear Archives and Museums, in conjunction with NE1 Ltd, have now launched the new Android version 3 months after the initial IOS release of the free app. Over 5,000 people have downloaded the new Hidden Newcastle app since its re-launch last November when it was released for IOS, Apple users. With the new Android version, the majority of smartphone users will now be able to access the app, which unearths the strange, unknown and forgotten history of Newcastle.  The app contains over 75 weird and wonderful stories of things that have happened in the city over the past 800 years that will entertain visitors and locals alike, showing Newcastle in a completely different light. Visits to the city will be a lot more interesting with the app, which highlights previously unknown or forgotten stories relating to people and places across the city. The content brings to life ‘hidden’ gems about places and characters that have often been overlooked by mainstream history. The stories run from the 13^th century to escaped bears in Newcastle City Centre in the 1960s. The app aims to provide a unique glimpse of Newcastle’s society through the ages with funny, unusual and macabre tales in an easy to use format. Window stickers will be posted at sites across Newcastle to illustrate Hidden Newcastle points of interest. The app uses information from documents, photographs and newspaper cuttings from Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums and Newcastle City Libraries. It includes a map so people can match stories to locations, and listen to them while standing in the spot where they took place. Commenting on the new Android version of the App, Stephen Patterson, Director of Communications at NE1 Ltd said: “The number of downloads has surpassed our expectations with over 5,000 in 2 months.  This is all the more impressive as, until the Android version went live, only 28% of smartphone users could access the app.  We are delighted that 90% of smartphone users will now be able to access the unique, quirky and humorous stories of Newcastle’s forgotten past.” “There was a huge spike in downloads after the app was featured in The Guardian newspaper and we’re delighted with the response to date and hope that the android release will see downloads exceed all previous records.” John Coburn, Digital Programmes Manager at Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums, said: “Hidden Newcastle isn’t like your average city guide and the things you’ll hear about aren’t the types of people and events which are commemorated with a blue plaque on a building – these are strange, unusual and forgotten stories and characters which we’ve brought back to life. We’re happy to have this massively popular app now available for all Android users”.  ” Hidden Newcastle is a free app available for iOS and now Android. It has been created by Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums and Newcastle NE1 Limited with Newcastle Libraries and can be downloaded for free via www.hiddennewcastle.org