Falcon's Interactive Guides to Hiking, Climbing, and Cooking

FalconGuides just announced the first 12
titles in a new line of interactive outdoor guides the company developed in
partnership with Inkling, a platform for interactive learning.

For the price of the download, readers get
expert content optimized for iPhone, iPad, and Web, with features that bridge
the gap between apps and ebooks: slideshows with high-res images not found in
the print editions, guided visual tours, hyperlinks, and smart search that makes
it quick and easy to get to the information you need, from a list of dog-friendly
hikes to a river name. Hiking guide
users can give tips to other readers and share trail notes on washed out bridges, best photo ops, bees nests to watch out for, or anything else. An animal tracks feature lets you click through a series of questions that narrows down which animal tracks you’ve spotted based on pattern, shape, and size. Rock climbing instructional guides have stop-motion animation
illustrating specific techniques.

“We are proud at FalconGuides to be the
trusted source for the best outdoor recreation information in any format,” said
company President James Joseph. “The world of published content is rapidly
changing with new technology and consumers who expect and deserve more. Through
Inkling’s expertise … the outdoor enthusiast is given a truly unique and
interactive experience.”

Falcon’s initial launch includes some of its
most popular titles, including: Trail Tested by Justin Lichter, Hiking Acadia National Park, Hiking Colorado,
Hiking Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, Hiking Shenandoah National
Park, Hiking Yellowstone National Park, Hiking Yosemite National Park, How to
Rock Climb!, Training for Climbing, Hiking Grand Canyon National Park, Trail
Tested, Lipsmackin’ Backpackin’, and Hiking Glacier and Waterton Lakes National
Parks. The guides are optimized for iPad but also work on iPhone or on a computer with
Safari or Google Chrome browsers. Sorry Android users. Available now, $15-$19, at
Inkling.com and REI.com.

—Berne Broudy
@berneb