This is a roundup of product news and announcements for travel devices in April 2017.
Friday 28 April 2017:
MiStay creates first app
- The India-based by-the-hour hotel booking brand (TLabs here) has its new Android-powered mobile application in the appstore. The app allows users to search and book hotels in a number of destinations including Bangalore, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata.
Thursday 27 April 2017:Upside launches mobile app
- The business travel service, created by Priceline founder Jay Walker (TLabs here), has an app for iOS-powered devices. The company is celebrating its first 100 days since its official launch at the turn of the year, claiming it has "thousands of users from small and mid-sized companies".
Thursday 20 April 2017:Alice adds packages
- The mobile hotel platform allows concierges to record, maintain and log incoming and outgoing packages for guests. The function is part of the wider Alice concierge app alongside team communications, guest messaging and request management tools.
Marriott strikes newspaper deal
- The agreement with PressReader will guests of the chain to obtain newspapers and magazines for free via its mobile application during their stay at a property. The access runs for a further 48 hours after the guest has checked out of a hotel.
Wednesday 19 April 2017:Hipmunk extends Facebook Messenger bot
- The flight and hotel search engine's bot on Facebook Messenger will now allow other friends to join a conversation. The integration of group functionality for Hipmunk was released by Facebook as part of its Chat Extensions tool this week.
August Home locked with
HomeAway- The vacation rental giant will automatically send a secure PIN code to guests if the property is a user of August Home technology. Guests will be able to access a home using the keycode hosted on the HomeAway app during their stay.
Monday 10 April 2017:NATS launches flight tracking app
- Airspace Explorer is the first iPad app from the National Air Traffic Service, the UK's airspace regulator. The app gives altitudes and location of aircraft as they move across relevant airspace, using 3D views and data from ADS-B technology.
Thursday 6 April 2017:SITA pushes digital content for Singapore Airlines
- The airline technology specialist is enabling passengers to access digital magazines on their devices via the airline's app. The functionality has been developed by SITA DigitalMedia and Adaptive.
Travelaer Travel Paas powers
Icelandair - The airline has enabled frequent flyers to pay for trips via its website using their Saga Points. Travelaer's technology is behind the service.
Radius goes mobile with
mTrip- The travel management company has partnered with mTrip to develop mobile app solutions for its multinational corporate clients.
Saturday 1 April 2107:Marriott commits to virtual reality
- The chain says that its European, Middle East and Africa hotels that participate in the existing Virtual Planner platform will now be featured on the VPViewer service. The tool allows planners to browse and understand the layout of a room or space before securing a reservation.
NB: Travel devices image
via Pixabay.