FaceTime, the video calling feature on iPhone 4, isn't just a way to view your toddler at home while away on a business trip -- Starwood is now using it as a customer service tool.
Members of the Starwood Preferred Guest program using the iPhone 4, the new iPod touch and Wi-Fi-enabled Macs running Mac OS X v10.6.4 Snow Leopard or higher can punch up 1-866-500-0369 and participate in video chats with customer service representatives.
Starwood already uses sophisticated CRM systems, but some new-fashioned mobile facetime may pay dividends.
Starwood believes video calling can provide a personalized customer service experience and engender loyalty.
After all, if a picture is worth a thousand words, viewing a face must be worth something, too.
Here's Apple's FaceTime commercial on YouTube [caution, it's a bit, well, commercial]:
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yatSAEqNL7k