This is the regular Tnooz roundup of product news from around the travel, tourism and hospitality industry, all with a technology, online and digital twist - Wednesday 24 August 2011.
- Marriott introduced apps for iPhone, Blackberry and Android devices, and introduced a mobile website, as well. So why and how did the hotelier do seemingly simultaneous rollouts? The apps and mobile website were developed and are hosted by AT&T using the AT&T Mobile Enterprise Application Platform. The Write Once, Run Everywhere technology leverages Kony Solutions technology. Marriott says its approach will enable it "to deliver richer content to its guests more quickly." The apps and mobile website enable customers to make hotel reservations, access city guides and enroll in Marriott Rewards and track their point balance.
- Rev up your electric cars because Hertz and Marriott began offering electric-vehicle sharing at the San Francisco Airport Marriott Waterfront hotel for guests and local residents. Hertz also began offering the electric vehicles at a location on Mason Street in San Francisco. Some of the electric vehicles -- including Nissan Leafs and EV Smart Cars -- are available for rental by the hour from $6 to $8. The hotel installed two electric vehicle charging stations, each capable of fully charging an electric car in three to four hours, officials say.
- Portchester, N.Y.-based nuTravel Technology Solutions became a preferred booking engine provider to the Sabre Travel Network. The nuTravel booking engine is leisure-travel oriented. Sabre agencies in the U.S. and Canada can sign up to use the service and can customize the consumer interface to coincide with their marketing approach and branding, nuTravel says.