A moment that could have spelled the end of our labour of love has ultimately given it an exciting new frontier

Sometimes, the best outcomes emerge when things don't go according to plan.

Goodbye Apple

This is the story of Galdo’s Gift: The Boovie®, which won a slew of awards for pushing the boundaries of ebook technology when it was on the Apple Book Store. But both aspects (pushing the boundaries of the technology and being on the Apple Book Store) also placed it in a perilous position. Ultimately, Apple changed the requirements of their platform and as a consequence, certain features of the animated and interactive ebook no longer worked.

We removed it from the Apple platform and had to rethink our approach. We considered other platforms and ereaders but none created the seamless, enchanting experience we were looking for.

Believe in the Hype

A still for the interactive web page created for Keaton Henson

As part of the Galdo’s Gift production process, we had been using Tumult Hype, software that allowed us to create animated HTML widgets that were used in the original ebook. Around that time we had also used Hype to create an animated web page for Keaton Henson, a talented musician with a huge following who wanted to publicise the release of a book of his artwork. This started us wondering whether we could use Hype to recreate Galdo’s Gift to work online as a standalone web storybook with all its original functionality and more.

It would mean anyone could access the storybook online, just like any website. Everyone could experience all of its animation, interactivity, soundtrack and personalisation - so no exclusions for those who don’t have an Apple device. We could now feel much more in control of its development, free from the constraints and barriers of an app store.

And to make it truly something for everyone (no child left behind), our ambition is to make it available completely for free, financed by sponsorship.

Boovie Boost

Today we are much further along the path to making that a reality. So far we have everything in place to begin uploading the whole experience to the web including the bespoke menu system - but we want to go further before we do.

A key part of creating any experience that will stand the test of time is to consider not just all the features and visuals, but how it will be used by those interacting with it. How will it encourage revisits? How will people want to share Galdo’s Gift? How can we enhance the experience for the way that people will actually use it?

We also want to take a holistic approach to accessibility; so not just accessed by everyone but accessible to everyone - with an interface that can be easily used by those with a range of physical disabilities. This includes those that can use eye-tracking technology to interact with specially adapted menus, turn the pages etc.

Thankfully, all of the above comes a giant leap closer with the recent news that we have been awarded Innovate UK funding through UK Research and Innovation (a UK Government organisation).