Here you will find answers to frequently asked questions. Do you have any more questions? Feel free to contact us.

Hidden and app

Where can I download the Hidden app?

On the front page of our web pages you will find links to installation for Apple (iOS) and Google (Android).

Why are there two apps, and what is the difference between them?

Hidden is the app you use to find stories and interesting points near where you are or where you are going.

HiddenAR is the app that gives you Augmented Reality (AR). You can play with the “Trofètrolle” so you can see how AR works. HiddenAR is also the AR engine used when you show AR through Hidden by trolls and sea worms and other creatures we work to bring to life.

What smartphones and tablets do Hidden work on?

Hidden works on most phones and tablets. But you need to give it access to positioning, in order for it to know where you are and show the norwegian map for your area.

HiddenAR places greater demands on the device itself, due to the advanced technologies required to run AR. Older smartphones and tablets may not be good enough. And newer but simple or affordable appliances may not be able to display AR. That’s what the tech world is like right now.

Does Hidden work in places without mobile coverage?

Hidden with its positioning and map logic needs mobile coverage to work.

HiddenAR works without mobile coverage. This means that you can show off the Trofètrollet anywhere, even on mountain walks or other places where there is bad or no mobile coverage.

What is AR?

AR is an abbreviation for augmented reality. In Norwegian, it is often called augmented reality.

In short, putting a layer of digital content on top of reality is the case. You see the digital and the real, at the same time.

You may have heard of VR, or “virtual reality.” In Norwegian, it’s called virtual reality.

AR gives you the real + the virtual, and is perceived by many as more real and real than pure VR.

Where can I find AR experiences in Hidden?

Currently we have the following places with AR experiences:

1: At Slottsplassen in Oslo, with the story “The troll on Karl Johan”
2: At Ekeberg in Oslo, with the story “Ekebergkongen”
3: At the Opera Roof in Oslo (sea worm)
4: By the Vatsfjord in Ål in Hallingdal (sea worm)

When you are within the radius of these stories, you can open the story in Hidden so that you can read the whole story. Then you also see the “Open AR” button. When you click that button, the AR motor starts. The first thing you need to do is follow the instructions to find the right motive (key). Then the AR experience begins. Now that you have visited the site and gained access to the entire story, you have access to the AR experience as long as you keep the Hidden app on your device.

We are working on producing new and other AR experiences, and these will be available in the Hidden app as they become ready.

In addition, you always have access to the AR experience that we call the “Trophy Troll” in the HiddenAR app.

How do I take a picture of an AR experience?

You need to take a screenshot of what you see. How you do this depends on the phone or tablet you are using. Search online to find the recipe for your particular device, and practice taking screenshots so you can.

You can also take video if your device supports it.

We believe there will be photos and videos of many spectacular AR experiences on social media in the time to come.

Why do I get the message “Unsupported Device” when I start AR?

That message pops up when your device does not support running AR.

The AR logic requires a part of your device to function. Many older appliances, and some new ones, simply do not have the right, or good enough, properties.

We are working to get our AR scenes running on multiple devices. Maybe we’ll do it for your device in a while. Feel free to try again at a later date. But maybe it’s impossible, and then we can’t help you, even if we want to.

Can I use Hidden abroad?

Hidden has international ambitions. But we start with Norway, and this is where we have content, for now.

Be sure to sign up for our newsletter to be informed about when we are moving abroad.

How much does it cost to use Hidden?

Nothing, it’s completely free.

Submit history

Can I submit more stories?

Absolutely! After submitting a story, there will be a button you can press to submit more stories. Each story increases your chances of winning. 

Do I have to fill in all the fields?

No. The more fields are filled in, the more chance you have of winning the trip to Svalbard, but only those fields marked with an asterisk (*) are fields that MUST be filled in.

Can I submit a story from the internet?

Yes. Just make sure you submit a story you’re allowed to use. Whether it’s your own or if you’ve been given permission from the author. If the artist or author has been dead for more than 70 years, the copyright no longer applies and you can freely upload to us. If you need help finding stories or photos, the National Library (nb.no) has thousands of stories and stories marked “access for everyone.”

See more here if you’re not sure what you can and can’t use: https://lovdata.no/dokument/NL/lov/2018-06-15-40

What happens to my story afterwards?

If the story is properly completed and confirmed with a link to original history, your story will be posted in the Hidden app that will be available for everyone to download during the summer.
Want your name on the story if it’s posted in the Hidden app? Fill in the name field in the submission form and check to make your name visible and you’ll be listed as a contributor to the story in the app.

Can I submit a story that others have submitted?

Yes, it doesn’t matter if the story you want to submit has already been submitted by someone else. We want to end up with as many and as good stories as possible. The more versions of a story, the better.

I'm having trouble submitting my story, what do I do?

If you have trouble submitting your story, we would first recommend closing your browser, wait a while, and try again later. If the problem repeats itself, get in touch, and we’ll help you solve the problem.

Do I have to pay anything for the Svalbard trip if I win?

No. All travel, board, lodging and activities we pay. All you need to bring is pocket money.

I have a story in English, can I submit it?

If you have a story in a language other than Norwegian, it’s nice if it translates before you submit it. 

Does my story have to be very long and detailed?

We’ll take everything. Whether your story is short and concrete or long and detailed doesn’t matter, we want it all.

Can I invent a story myself?

No, but that doesn’t mean the story has to be true. We want to bring in old folk lore stories and legends that you have either found in old books and the like, or who have lived in the public mouth for generations. If you have “proof” of history, whether in the form of old documents, books and the like, this is a big plus.

I do not have a picture for my story, can I still send it in?

Yes. Image is not mandatory, but we very much appreciate it. Submitting a related image improves the quality of the story and can increase your chance of winning.
PS: Both Kittelsen, the National Museum and the National Library have thousands of images and illustrations that are allowed to use. Maybe you’ll find one that fits your story perfectly?

My story is from a book I only have in paper format, what do I do?

Then you can take a picture of the story in the book (make sure the picture is of good quality, so that it is easy to read what is there) and upload as a picture. Or you can type it into an electronic document and upload it. 

I have pictures, but no story, what do I do?

If you have images that are related to a story you don’t have yourself, see if you can find the story on the Pages of the National Library. In their archives, you can search for location names, years, and other things that can make it easier to find the story you’re looking for.

About the competition to Svalbard

How is the winner of the Svalbard trip drawn?

For each submission you will be rewarded with up to 5 stars. Each star equals a lottery ticket, and the more stars you have the more chance of winning. Stories with less than 5 stars will not join the raffle of the trip to Svalbard (but it will still be published in the Hidden app). Telia and Hidden will together choose a random winner among all submitted stories. 

Do I have to pay anything for the Svalbard trip if I win?

No. All travel, board, lodging and activities we pay. All you need to bring is pocket money.

What does the trip to Svalbard involve?

Telia Norway covers travel from Gardermoen to Longyearbyen by plane, hotel two nights at Funken lodge in Longyearbyen, normal diet for the whole journey and shared activities in Svalbard. We also cover travel to Gardermoen with a stay of a night in a hotel if the travel distance is longer than 200 kilometers from Gardermoen.

How many can join Svalbard?

The winner of the tour can choose a friend to bring. If the winner is under the age of 18 or not of legal age, they must bring a guardian or other guardian.

Can I submit more stories?

Absolutely! After submitting a story, there will be a button you can press to submit more stories. Each story increases your chances of winning. 

Is it possible to submit a story without participating in the competition?

Yes. If you do not want to participate, or for other reasons want to remain anonymous, you can not check the box “I want my name visible as the submitter of the story” in step 4 of the submission form.

Do I have to be over 18 to submit stories?

No, but if you are under the age of 18, you must get permission from a guardian to submit the story, because you are simultaneously joining the draw of a trip to Svalbard.