Seattle's Space Needle Unveils a Look to the Future with New Digital and Mobile Experiences

New "never before" innovations make a trip to the top an amazing adventure.

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Jul 24, 2014, 04:29 ET

SEATTLE, July 24, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Built as a symbol of the future for the Age of Space 1962 World's Fair, Seattle's iconic Space Needle is once again embracing the promise of the future – this week, the curtain comes up on ground-breaking digital experiences that will inspire urban explorers and connect visitors to the sights and experiences of the Pacific Northwest in ways that, until now, could only be imagined.

With a vantage point 520 feet above the city, the Space Needle has unofficially acted as a launch pad for many a visitors' Seattle experience. Starting today, visitors and Space Needle gazers the world over can download the new Space Needle Mobile App to serve as their guide and memory book to Seattle's original high-rise. Acting as a starting point for exploration, the app presents alternative views with augmented reality, shares a look at historical events, and helps visitors locate and learn about all the key sights in town. On the Observation Deck, visitors will find kiosks that transport them to the octopus tank at the Seattle Aquarium or onto the pitch with the Seattle Sounders FC at CenturyLink Field. Guests can connect with the city in these unrivaled one-of-kind experiences like never before.

"Since its inception, the Space Needle has been a symbol of innovation and creativity," said Jeff Wright, chairman, Space Needle, LLC. "Staying true to that vision, we are introducing digital experiences that are not only groundbreaking for us, but for towers around the world."

Onsite, the experience starts at the Launch Pad. Through the app, guests point their iPhone or Android phone at one of several unique "Space Spots" on the ground and experience "augmented reality" as the Space Needle rises out of the spot with fireworks, space ships or numerous other experiences in their viewer. Friends and family can even step into the picture and put their arms around the Needle for a photo or walk on a virtual glass floor.

On the Observation Deck, guests can reach into the past or peer into the future with the 20' x 8' digital touchscreen SkyPad™ that displays thousands of photos of visits to the Space Needle from the early 60s to today. Guests can post photos of their own experience or pin their hometown on a digital globe, showing others who have visited from the same location.

The 520 Teleporter digital kiosks incorporate Microsoft's Photosynth (http://photosynth.net/) technology which captures places in amazing resolution and full 3D. Get transported to the Pike Place Market to see what the fish sees as it flies through the air into a crowd of onlookers, or climb aboard one of the houseboats made famous by the film "Sleepless in Seattle." With a click on a kiosk, guests can take a 360° tour of "never seen before" experiences.

"One of the greatest aspects of this project has been the local partnerships that made these experiences possible. Microsoft technology played an integral role, as did several top creative and interactive development agencies," said Karen Olson, vice president of marketing, Space Needle. "We pushed beyond what we thought was possible to offer our guests, and locals alike, experiences that are totally unique, memorable, and shareable. We're heightening our guests' ability to discover Seattle with new experiences that deliver more interaction, insights, connections, smiles and 'wow.' And, there is more to come."

Space Needle SpaceBook is another innovation that launched this summer. When guests arrive, their ticket will unlock unique digital photo experiences at the Space Needle and create a personalized online memory book for them. The free photo experiences include the popular silver screen photos where guests pose and select different backgrounds. Two addition photo experiences will be launching this summer – a SkyHigh Selfie and a Zoomie™, the ultimate "zoom selfie."

These and many more elements of this re-invented guest experience will roll-out over the summer months. For more on what's to come visit: www.spaceneedle.com

About the Space Needle: The Space Needle is the celebrated icon of Seattle, second only to the Eiffel Tower in Paris as the most easily-identified global skyline feature. Built for the 1962 Age of Space World's Fair, it continues to symbolize the leading-edge innovation and technology that the city is known for and serve as a beacon into the future.

About the experiences and Partners: see www.spaceneedle.com/press