ARcheology-Dig Into History App Review
App Info
Price: $4.99
Overview
ARcheology-Dig Up History is an augmented reality app that allows users to “dig up” dinosaur bones hidden beneath the virtual ground. The app uses the device’s camera and touch screen technology to unearth the hidden bones on the screen. Once the budding archeologist completely uncovers the skeleton, the app provides informative, museum-quality facts and details about the creature.
Features include:
- Augmented Reality allows “digging” anywhere
- Realistic archeological site details are built right in
- App currently includes five sets of skeletal remains
- Realistic “digging” action on the screen adds to the fun
- dig site provides information about the animal once it is unearthed
Quality
ARcheology-Dig Up History is a high quality augmented reality app. Developers had a great idea to combine the capabilities of the device with a fascinating field of study-dinosaurs. The app accesses the device’s camera, and then superimposes the “dig site” on the screen while the camera shows the floor or ground beneath the user’s feet. Touches to the screen push away the virtual dirt, so the user has a realistic feeling of digging in the ground.
For the most part, the app worked as expected. However, there have been several times where the system seems to crash or otherwise misbehave, and I could not track down what caused the problems. The symptoms included the dig image floating off screen (though I was not moving the device) and times when the skeleton was apparently unearthed, but the star points indicating informational text did not appear. It seemed that the system was hung up, and the only way I could restart it was to close down the app completely and begin again.
The app also would benefit from a bit more explanation and/or a tutorial on its use for the benefit of those of us who are less familiar with the workings of Augmented Reality. While some find it fun to do the trial-and-error exploration that apps like this encourage, others find it quite frustrating.
Education
This app is very educational. The augmented reality format will intrigue kids and keep them engaged. It truly feels hands-on in nature. The “dig” requires users to push away dirt from between fossilized teeth and around all of the edges of bones, so it’s quite realistic.
I do wish there was more content, though. Currently there are five dinosaurs to unearth, which is a nice number to begin with. However, each only has three placards with information and facts, and there’s a whole lot more that could be learned about each of the specimens. And once the bones are found, the app simply repeats the same information if you “find” them again. I truly hope developers add more content quickly to keep inquisitive young players digging.
Entertainment
This app is very entertaining. Children are likely to be very engaged with the augmented reality format. The app is interactive and loads of fun. You can dig up the same dinosaur bones again and again if you wish, too. Plus it works no matter what is showing in your camera (indoors or out) as long as you keep the device level to the floor so it seems like you are really digging.
The concept is engaging, but there needs to be more content to keep curious kids engaged for any length of time. I hope developers keep going!
Value
This app is engaging and fun for young explorers, and the use of augmented reality is outstanding. The only thing keeping it from being five-star in this area is that it is currently a bit shy on content and so lacks replay value. I hope developers are adding more content soon!
Child Friendliness
ARcheology-Dig Up History is very child-friendly. There are no outside links, no links to social media, and no in-app purchases. Even the youngest children will quickly figure out how to use it, but the facts available after digging up the bones are in text form only, so they won’t be accessible to nonreaders.
- NO external links
- NO social media
- NO 3rd party ads
- NO in-app purchase
