The latest devices news, launches and more from around the travel, tourism and hospitality industry in September 2013.
Monday 30 September 2013:
- Cleartrip has refreshed its iPhone app to take advantage of the latest iOS 7's text design and rendering architecture. This new design for the iPhone app also aligns with its Tuxedo design for its website.
Friday 13 September 2013:- GuestStream has rolled out a mobile app, the "Welcome App," that allows properties to engage with guests via their mobile phones. Managers can stay connected, communicate updated guest information, offer a “micro-guidebook” with attractions and activities and eliminate the need to print guest information, directions and maps. The app is available for iOS and Android.
- Indian Railways has launched its rail reservation service (IRCTC) on both desktop and mobile version of Windows 8.
Thursday 12 September 2013:- Cvent has launched a mobile app called OnArrival. The app integrates with Cvent's event management product, and allows event planners to "check-in registrants at any event on-site with a simple swipe of a finger." Features include searching by name, company, email, or confirmation number, check-in via swipe or QR code, filters to review full list, checked in list, and “not yet arrived” list, and the ability to view total check-ins across all devices.
Wednesday 11 September 2013:- Flocations launches package trips on its Apple apps. More than 5,000 products will be made available on the service, initially from 50 travel agencies located in the Singapore area. Users can search and browse packages and then be put through the selling agent via a call or email.
- Masabi unveils mobile ticketing system for First Great Western rail operator in the UK. The platform allows passengers to search and book fares on the operator from their mobile devices and receive a barcode-enabled ticket. Tickets for other operators in the UK can also be purchased on the FGW mobile service.
Thursday 5 September 2013:- GuideWall and ArrivalGuides team up to provide mobile content services. The white label Apple and Android applications will be developed for OTAs and tour operators as they look to bolster their destination services for customers on the road. The collaboration follows strong performance for ArrivalGuides in recent years after securing some 170 customers for its content services for email, web and Facebook.
- Emirates Holidays goes responsive and mobile for customers in UAE. Developed by Vibe Software in the UK, roll-out of the new site will be staggered over the next six months to include all the brand's major source markets including Arabic and Russian language versions.
Tuesday 3 September 2013:- China's navigation majors AutoNavi and Baidu Navigation are offering their navigation apps for free. Baidu and AutoNavi navigation apps were earlier priced at 30 yuan (~$4.9) and 50 (~$8.1) yuan respectively. AutoNavi has a total of about 207 million users.
Monday 2 September 2013:- Mobile Travel Technologies clinches app development deal with LAN and TAM airlines. The Ireland-based app technology provider will work with the pair (both part of the LATAM Airlines Group) with development of their iPhone and Android applications. The partnership also includes work on their respective mobile web platforms.
- Indian metasearch service ixigo launches ixigo buses Android application. Users will be able to search for deluxe buses, volvos, A/C coaches and inter-state road transport buses between any two Indian towns. The app fetches bus results from leading travel portals like MakeMyTrip, Goibibo, TravelYaari, via.com etc. The company recently launched "ixigo PNR Status", an app that would scan mobile messages for train tickets and automatically notifies the user about any trip changes. Also, in April this year, ixigo launched an Android app by name "On The Way" that gives location-based point of interest information during a user's trip.
Previous roundups:NB: Devices image via Shutterstock.